Back Pain and nursing

[Kasey77]

Hi,

I really need some constructive advice. Have been following some of these threads and really do appreciate how genuine everyone is on here.

I am a 52 year old woman. I have been going to school to get a BSN. I have 4 classes to go until I can apply for nursing school.

I have 2 herniated discs and chronic pain. I have been taking care of my parents for years in every capacity. I want a secure job I can do until I can't work anymore.

My thinking is to just get through nursing school and I will make my way. I can not lift. I can not sit or stand long. I seem to have to rotate. So a complete sitting job will not work either. I thought even if I worked 25 hours a week, this would be more than I would make doing some other menial job.

I am very scared and not knowing which direction to take.

Any comments I would appreciate.

[redalert7777]

Have you been to physical therapy or a pain clinic? I'm actually in the same boat as you...I'm in my final semester of nursing school, and recently found out my back problem worsened from just one herniated disc, to 3, and progressed to spinal stenosis as well. Up until recently, I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes (I can walk longer), without my back swelling, and then hardly being able to walk. I'm only 29, and was getting to the point of having excruciating neurogenic pain from this. Through therapy I've learned proper body mechanics (actually, rotating is usually not recommended with lower back issues, or twisting, they told me it's better to move your whole body around), I really had to re-teach myself how I needed to move. Out here in California, at my clinical sites, they either have lift sheets, hoyer lifts, or you will call the lift team to come move the more difficult patients, so that's been good news for me. I had the same concerns, but was too far through school really to turn back, and I guess I figured that with nursing, there are SO many options, there isn't only bedside nursing.

As for how I've had to manage my pain, my pain Dr. put me on an anti-epileptic, which actually treats neurogenic pain as well. There are other options, but the point is, there IS treatment out there, other than surgery. I'm not ready to go that route, because I hear that doesn't always solve the problem either. I also, like someone else has mentioned take the occasional narcotic for breakout pain, but again, I don't take it around the clock, and am not addicted to it, it doesn't affect me either because of my pain situation. To be honest, I probably have developed a tolerance and probably need a higher dose, but think that now that this other med is kicking in, I won't even need it as much, and I have more relief anyways! I've tried the lumbar epidural steroid injections, and they actually increased my pain A LOT because they took my swelling down (not sure if this is typical??) but my nerve pain was terrible when I laid down at night! I TOTALLY agree with what one other person said about strengthening your core as well, for some reason, I didn't take that to heart until recently, but I think that's the most important thing to keeping your back healthy and strong. I feel like if I had been more physically fit in the first place, maybe I wouldn't be as bad off as I am now, and I'm not really in that bad of shape, but just not strong enough. I was an NA, and doing lifting, which is how I ruined my back.

My other concern, was how you mentioned you are doing full care for your parents? Is there any way through medicare or anything that you guys can get some extra help for them? Or through the state, because in your condition, it is just too much, and making your condition worse.

Good luck to you, and feel free to email me, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any help to you!! Don't give up hope though, I know chronic pain can be depressing, I've had mine for 8 years, and am having relief for the FIRST time in those 8 years due to this med I'm on. Just try to seek some sort of relief, and don't give up if nursing is truly your dream!

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I have DJD in my L4/L5 which leads to pretty consistent sciatica/muscle spasms etc. I am on a 50lb weight restriction which I am hardly ever able to enforce. HOWEVER after years of chiropractic care I have found the amazing wonders of good old fashioned physical therapy. I have never been as pain free as I am right now.

I would suggest finding a solid ortho surgeon (in case you need it later) and ask for a PT consult. See if that might improve your quality of life and ability to work.

Best of luck!!

Tait

Sorry if this is repetitive of previous posts, I wanted to get a response in before I head off to work and didn't have time to read the whole thread.

[Kasey77]

Thank You everyone for all the kind support. What I do now know, is that I will meet some very wonderful people in this profession.

As far as the back pain, I or you all do not have time for what I have tried. Been down the road of MRI's,pt, acupuncture, myofacial pain release, rolfing, trigger point injections, Egosucue Method, Anthony Gary method, Feldenkries, Alexander Technique, Bowen Technique, chiro, function first, yoga, pilates....to name only a few.

I am now trying something through a chiropractor called the drx90000. So far no results. But, I will let you know if it helps in case I can help some one else.

I am just going to go for the nursing no matter what, I will find my way..

Happy Holidays and thanks again for guiding me!