by SICUteam

Hello,

I am desperate for any advice and help.I injured myself last june 2008 working in an ICU, pushing a bed. I have had muscle pains from working 12 hour shifts with heavy patients prior but nothing major,they were relieved with rest. This time around after transferring out 2 icu patients I felt my backache from my neck down to my sciatic area.To make a long story short, I was denied workers comp because they did not think there was anything out of the ordinary that happened.My primary care physician sent me for PT for 2 months and it healed my sciatica and lower back. MRI and xrays show negative. Now, I am left with upper back,side of scpula/rhomboids pain.I have been seen by an internist,orthopedic,neurosurgeon,neorologist,rheu matologist,and physiatrist and currently seeing an anesthesiologist from pain clinic.I have tried pain meds,muscle relaxers,massage,accupuncture,chiropractor,and trigger point therapy (helped the 1st time but 2nd time did not do anything.different doctor did it.my 1st doc was an international doc and not from the country).I am always in pain.I was out of work on short term disability last june till end of november. I am currently back at icu work but making sure to not carry/push/pull heavy equipments and patients.I still do have pain and am really worried if it will ever go away at some point.I am young, 27 y.o. and have so much life ahead of me.I also have goals to further my career as a nurse and hope that this wont be the end of it.I want to get my life back again and live pain-free some day.I am currently also contemplating on seeking legal advice.This is the state of Maryland.Any advice and insights would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Upper Back and Neck Injury from work

Hi.

I feel for you. I have been dealing with the pain of arthritis for ten years now and at 34 years old, sometimes I feel like 64.

You maybe have heard this before, but my best suggestion is to try yoga or pilates. Often you can find yoga or pilates instructors that specialize in or have experience with people with disabilities/physical limitations.

Stretching and moving --along with liberal use of ice packs-- is the best way I have found to manage the pain.

Stress reduction is very important, too.

Good luck!

-Kelli

Re: Upper Back and Neck Injury from work

I was washing a stretcher between patients on 11/7/08 - when I felt a "stab" in my low back. I didn't think much of it at the time - but an hour later it was getting much worse - so I went to the ER and filled out an incident report per our hospital policy. I went to PT, my doc thought I had "sprained" my back and the injury would be self limiting.
I was put on restricted duty, and truly felt all would be better soon.

Six weeks later, when I wasn't getting much better, he finally ordered an MRI - I had filed a workman's comp claim already - I have bulging disc's in L 2-3, L 4-5, L 5-6, L6-7 and L7 S1. Some nerve impingement. The pain radiates from my spine, which then irritates the surrounding muscles up to the bottom of my scapula, across my lumbar spine, the deep muscles of my bilateral buttocks, and down the sides of my thighs.

My job compensated for my injury for 6 months, then fired me May 15th because "they couldn't accommodate my restrictions any longer"- I had worked there for seventeen years.

My back is just busted. I can't stand to do dishes, change my grandson's diaper, vacuum, or walk any real distance without assistance. I now have no insurance, and my other Rx that workman's comp dosen't cover come to 650.00 per month. I am 50% disabled, I do recieve workman's comp and some unemployment.

I need to move away from bedside nursing and find a desk job. The majority of these types of jobs are along the lines of case management, quality assurance/improvement, chart review, or legal nurse consulting. All require at least a BSN, with some requiring an MSN.

I'm trying to make myself marketable - so I've enrolled in a BSN program online. I hope to start July 6th.

In the meantime, my hubby and I are hanging on by threads. It's amazing what this has done to my life. I am really upset and feeling rather hopeless.

I hope your injury heals, God Bless

Re: Upper Back and Neck Injury from work

Hello,

I am a nursing student with a bulging/ herniated disc, I am only 23yr and can only remain standing for short intervals before i have to sit down. Today is my first day of clinicals at a local Nursing Home, I am really nervous and wondering if I can make it on my 7:00am- 4:00pm shift. I cannot lift anything over 20lb without feeling radiating pain down my right leg. I was reading your messages and was just wondering how things turned out for you?

Re: Upper Back and Neck Injury from work

Well, my job of 18 years let me go May 15. The "couldn't accommodate my restrictions any longer". I've been unemployed since. I have been cleared for sedentary work only. I can't stand still for more that a couple of minutes, I can't walk any real distance, I can't lift over 20 lbs, no twisting, bending either. When I stand at the sink to brush my teeth, my back will be hurting 5/10 before I'm done. Same for dishes, only my back hurts worse. Ditto for sweeping, vacuuming.

My back has improved in the sense that I have little pain most of the time while at rest - otherwise nearly anything hurts my back. I can sit, however, for prolonged periods, and only when I stand will the pain come back.

Problem is, most desk jobs in nursing are more administrative in nature, so I've started online classes toward my BSN. Right now I'm getting workman's comp and unemployment. I've been on too many interviews to count, and haven't found a real job. I start a "temp" job this coming Tuesday - but I will have to lug around a laptop and scanner, my purse and my lunch. Not sure how it will affect my back, but I'm going to give it a try. It's on wheels, but I still have to get in out of the car and back in again.

I've also developed rediculopathy. My lateral right foot has areas of no feeling. I'm 50% disabled at the moment. I'm not a surgical candidate. There, that's about it. I'm still in PT, they do traction on me twice a week, I swear that is what has helped relieve the pain at rest. I'm taking Lyrica, and Zanaflex - works great for muscle spasm.

Good luck with your situation.

Blessings

Re: Upper Back and Neck Injury from work

I felt for you!!! It demands so much physicallly for bedside nursing. I am trying to figure out what my career pathway would be. What would be your suggestion for those middle-age nurses? what are the choices we have ?

Originally Posted by Babs0512

Well, my job of 18 years let me go May 15. The "couldn't accommodate my restrictions any longer". I've been unemployed since. I have been cleared for sedentary work only. I can't stand still for more that a couple of minutes, I can't walk any real distance, I can't lift over 20 lbs, no twisting, bending either. When I stand at the sink to brush my teeth, my back will be hurting 5/10 before I'm done. Same for dishes, only my back hurts worse. Ditto for sweeping, vacuuming.

My back has improved in the sense that I have little pain most of the time while at rest - otherwise nearly anything hurts my back. I can sit, however, for prolonged periods, and only when I stand will the pain come back.

Problem is, most desk jobs in nursing are more administrative in nature, so I've started online classes toward my BSN. Right now I'm getting workman's comp and unemployment. I've been on too many interviews to count, and haven't found a real job. I start a "temp" job this coming Tuesday - but I will have to lug around a laptop and scanner, my purse and my lunch. Not sure how it will affect my back, but I'm going to give it a try. It's on wheels, but I still have to get in out of the car and back in again.

I've also developed rediculopathy. My lateral right foot has areas of no feeling. I'm 50% disabled at the moment. I'm not a surgical candidate. There, that's about it. I'm still in PT, they do traction on me twice a week, I swear that is what has helped relieve the pain at rest. I'm taking Lyrica, and Zanaflex - works great for muscle spasm.

Good luck with your situation.

Blessings