Cervical reticulopathy.HELP!

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Hello everyone!

I am a fairly new RN currently employed in a CVICU setting. I have finished my orientation, and was soo very happy to have landed my dream job! For obvious reasons, my supervisor doesn't want new nurses taking fresh post-op pts, so we get pts who are post cardiac cath, or have been vented with all kinds of other pathologies going on. (CVVH, IABP, etc..) I'm getting a pretty good understanding of hemodynamics, but am so unsure of myself that I am constantly asking questions. (I know my co-workers appreciate this, but imagine they get tired of it sometimes, but overall they have been very supportive)

I am working the noc shift, and in our hospital, this is when the baths and lifting comes into play. Since our pts are mainly post-OH, we must discourage them from using their arms for lifting and the like. Most of these pts are older and have limited strength in their legs in the first place, and after being in bed a few days, as you can imagine, their ability to assist in mobilization is almost nil.

I learned proper body mechanics in school, always raise and lower the bed as needed, and use the muscles in my thighs for most lifting. However, I have found that being rather tall is a definate disadvantage. When I find someone who can help me to turn a pt, we raise the bed, but can only raise it to the height of whoever is assisting me, otherwise they would be on their tiptoes, and that obviously doesn't work! So I am stuck bending over whether I like it or not.

Herein comes the problem. When I was in my early 20's, I had a job as a waitress. I was lifting trays full of heavy glasses and dishes all day. Back then, I noticed a burning, stinging sensation in my shoulder, but pretty much blew it off. It was aggrivating, but nothing too major.

Now I am in my late 30's, recent grad, new nurse, and over the course of the past couple of months this burning, stinging sensation is back. At first, like before, it was just annoying, but now it has gotten so bad it just won't go away! I can't sleep at night, I am depressed because I have had to call off work and refuse floating to a med-surg floor with an 8 pt load and 1 CNA. I was told if I went through specific channels I would be able to be put on light duty. Since this originally occured long before I started my current job, I have not filed workers comp, and am going through my own insurance (Aetna HMO)

MY PCP did an x-ray, prescribed vioxx and skelaxin, and had me off work for two days to rest. Meanwhile, the pain got worse. One day, a friend of mine came over and let me use her portable tens unit and ice, and man that seemed to do the trick, as the pain went away for the rest of the night!

So I report back to work last night, only to be floated again. NO problem, I go to the floor (neuro) but they claim they are overstaffed and dont need me. Fine. Supervisor sends me to another floor. They also claim they don't need me. FINALLY send me back to the med-surg floor with the heavy pt load and 1 cna! I inform them I am light-duty. (at that point, thinking my DR's word was good enough) They say go to the ER. I have to pay 100.00 co-pay only to get a note saying "light duty" follow up with PCP this week. Talk to my supervisor, he says ER note is not enough. Must go to Employee Health to get light duty. Call employee health, and the nurse is out of town until end of this week!!!! By now, getting aggrivated. I want to work, but do not want to hurt worse. I have many years if nursing in front of me, and do not want to ruin myself this soon. So now I am told to go to HR. FINE, says I, as soon as I follow up with my PCP, because now the pain is so bad I am crying from lack of sleep.

PCP says x-rays show possible bone spur at C6-C7, wants to follow up with MRI. Prescibes darvocet, prednisone, and one week of rest. (which the hospital could have interpreted to mean "light duty.")

Take his 'scripts to HR, and they say I am eligible for FMLA. (After scaring me to death for a few seconds as she computed in her head that 7-03 and 8-04 WERE indeed a year apart.)

But get this-- I am now told that there is "NO light duty available." I MUST take the time off with no pay. (Actually, using my PTO and EIB hours) There goes my family vacation.

Meanwhile, I feel like a total bum. My co-workers are all mad as hell at me I'll bet, as they have to make up my hours. How will I ever face these people who have been so nice and supportive of me in the past? I am almost scared of returning in a week. I guess I will have to spend the next few months making it up to everyone, and coming in whenever called on days off. I just feel like such a non-team-member. I wish I knew for a fact that they all understand, and won't hate me too very much. But IMO, I *really* need to protect this back of mine, as it needs to get me through many, many years. I am only 36, and I'll be darned if I'll be on disability by 40!

So, the Doc's prelim DX is cervical reticulopathy-- pinched nerve. Hurts like H. E. double hockey sticks, but I'm not about to exacerbate it right now.

Anyone else have experience with this, and can you offer support that with rest and proper TX it will go away? I have been a paragon of health my whole life, and am physically active, not overweight, and otherwise in great health. I just want to go back to work, and not have to feel like I owe everyone my life.

Thanks so much for listening to my story, all your comments are appreciated!

Peace, joy and good health to you all..

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Have you thought about seeing a neurosurgeon to potentially just have this fixed? And is it not radiculopathy?

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Have you thought about seeing a neurosurgeon to potentially just have this fixed? And is it not radiculopathy?

Probably is radiculopathy. LOL! I dont specialize in neuro, and my PCP's handwriting sucks! As it stands, I am waiting for the MRI, and then my PCP will probably refer me further.

Thanks for your reply!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

After all the misinformation you have been given make sure that you actually qualify for FMLA. Some states have what is called a second injury fund where even a pre-existing problem can be covered by WC if repetetive movement causes recurrence.

Ice is wonderful for radiculopathy. Use it for about 20 minutes every couple of hours. I have a TENS and found it to help, but some people say it doesn't. Most importantly take care of yourself. Hospital nursing may not be right for you.

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Can't chiropractors treat radiculopathy? Or is it dangerous for them to work on that sort of thing and with the degree of pain that she is in? Anyways, Maybe it is something you should think about. It wouls definately be a lot cheaper than surgery, I believe.

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After all the misinformation you have been given make sure that you actually qualify for FMLA. .

Can I ask you to clarify just WHAT misinformation I have given? Like any other pt, I am just telling what I feel and know. Your statement makes me feel like you think I am a loser, and making things up. Please clarify.

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Can't chiropractors treat radiculopathy? Or is it dangerous for them to work on that sort of thing and with the degree of pain that she is in? Anyways, Maybe it is something you should think about. It wouls definately be a lot cheaper than surgery, I believe.

I'll take anything as long as I can go back to work and not have this burning stabbing pain that keeps me up at night.

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After all the misinformation you have been given make sure that you actually qualify for FMLA. Some states have what is called a second injury fund where even a pre-existing problem can be covered by WC if repetetive movement causes recurrence.

Ice is wonderful for radiculopathy. Use it for about 20 minutes every couple of hours. I have a TENS and found it to help, but some people say it doesn't. Most importantly take care of yourself. Hospital nursing may not be right for you.

I am so sorry that I jumped the gun and assumed you meant that *I* was the one giving misinformation. Seems to be a symptom of my insecurity, fear, anxiety and heartbreak I suppose. I would HATE to give up hospital nursing. It's where my heart is, and is where I can further my career. I am ambitious, and prefer jobs where I can use my intellect and critical thinking skills, as I suspect most of my colleagues are. Do you really think hospitals canot find a place for me? Can't they utilize lift devices? There are countless other ways of helping staff, and

I love working where I do. But as I said, I am so afraid of ruining myself before I even get a chance. Once again, I apologize, PR_N for jumping the gun on your comment. Just a reflection of my anxiety I think. Please forgive me. :)

Join Date: May 2000

Location: Down South

Posts: 4,977

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After all the misinformation you have been given make sure that you actually qualify for FMLA. TE

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

caroline, you are a classy lady. i appreciate your "retraction" :) but it wasn't necessary. i mis-read and miss-speak at least half dozen times a day. i saw a lowe's sign today and for some reason it appeared as toad....and i wondered what kind of store toad was.

what i mainly meant is be sure that you have worked there long enough (1 year full time) for fmla to guarantee your position for at least 12 weeks.

ps: i did hospital nursing for 22 years. i never thought i'd leave :rolleyes:

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