Another Question

[Stacey]

I need a sheepish face here. Anyway I was reading a thread in general nursing about the pain that nurses develop in their feet, legs, and hips. Well, the thing is, I already have joint problems. In my hips, feet, knees, fingers, wrists, and back. I asked my doctor about it. He felt my fingers and told me nothing was wrong. So I'm angry at him for ignoring my concerns. There are days when I literally do not want to go to one of my classes because I have to climb a lot of stairs. I'm only 18 so it's probably nothing.

But anyway is it possible for me to be a nurse if I already have pain? Are there nursing positions that are easier on the body?

[BrandyBSN]

Neonatal nursing :) Cute little babies, but they are sooo sick, its hard. But, they dont weigh much! Not very back-muscle intensive.

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

Stacey are you getting enough calcium? The reason I ask is because you said you are 18. Well, many, many teen girls starting aroud 12 don't get enough calcium which is really hurting them since they are at one of the most crucial times of their life for development. I did not get enough calcium I stopped drinking milk at age 13 and I did not take any supplements or get any other type of calcium. I fooled my parents into thinking I was drinking my milk when I really wasn't. Now I am 21 and I have slowly started drinking milk and other calcium containing products like yogurt, orange juice, cereal, cheese and the list goes on and on. I know exactly how you feel.

[fergus51]

There are also a lot of other real medical problems that can cause this and your doc needs a kick in the butt. I had a doctor tell me that being able to dislocate my joints and crack all of them was normal. It isn't and I was lucky enough to get a doc who knew better. I was 17 at the time. I'm proof you can be a nurse with messed up joints.

[Stacey]

I don't think that it is lack of calcium. I've been a vegetarian for 4 years and I was a vegan for 6 months but I always use fortified foods and take supplements. In fact when I was a vegan I didn't have any joint "episodes".

My grandmother has rheumatoid arthritis and her sister died of lupus. So I don't know... My doctor made me mad but I wouldn't take any drugs for it anyway which is all he would have to offer. I always have weird reactions. I might try acupuncture. (And maybe stress relief and more gentle exercise.)

Thanks for your concern and helpful thoughts on the subject!:)

[prmenrs, RN]

those premies don't weigh much, but you're always having to push an incubator or transporter or some other hernia portable device around. You can get pretty sore even in NICU.

Stacy, it really sounds like you might have something going on in your joints, esp w/your family hx. See if you can get a referrral to see a Rheumatologist. Also consider taking NSAIDS one day just to see if you feel better--a little "experiment".