Advise Needed..

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a medical assistant M-F and usually one day on the weekend I work as a nurses assistant. We all know that as a nurses assistant you are on your feet the whole 8 hours, going in and out of rooms, answering numerous calls at once. Sometimes after my shift is over I get this horrible pain in my right calf which usually lasts a good 5 or 6 hours. I started experiencing this pain after I started working in the hospital. I am not complaining about what I do, but I am wondering if this is a common problem in Nursing or is there something wrong. One year ago I went for a check up and mentioned it to my primary doctor, she did not take me seriously at all. She told me to try applying heat to the area, which I did, but nothing came of it. I can't help but think that my doctor should send me for a cat scan or something to make sure nothing is wrong. One side of me thinks it is related to being on my feet for the 8 hours, (if that is the case I do not want to experience that everytime I work in the hospital..) On the other hand a side of me feels like something is terribly wrong.. Any advice????

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It could be many things. What is the quality of the pain? Does it feel like a cramp? You could be low on potassium, that will sometimes cause cramps in your legs. Have you noticed any swelling or redness? Does your leg feel warm to the touch in comparison with the other? That could be a sign of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clot. Best to go your doc (or find a new one who will listen) and let him/her know of all your symptoms. Wearing a pair of support hose or something similar to TEDS may help. BUT! Don't let this go, this pain you are feeling is NOT normal. I am aften achy after a couple of 12 hour shifts, but the pain is certainly not limited to my calf and doesn't last 5-6 hours. You need to get this checked out.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Go to another doctor with this complaint. It's hard to answer about this sort of thing, when it could be the result of so many things.

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Its odd that you said cramping, because that is what its like.. And there is definetly no swelling or redness.. And it doesn't feel warm to the touch.. It is just a very strong cramp mainly in the back of my calf. Kind of like when you get a charlie horse but not as bad..

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Make an appt with the PCP about this, just to be on the safe side.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Please, see another doctor. It could be anything from muscle strain to something much more serious. No way can we diagnose and help you online with this---and it's against Terms Of Service to do so. I wish you wellness and a solution that works, very soon!

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Thanks for all the advice.. I made an appt to see my primary doctor but I requested to see a different MD. Thanks...........

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Specializes in Case Management.

Just wanted to add, never cross your legs when sitting. It could impair your circulation and cause deep vein thrombosis.

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