Has your health declined since becoming a nurse?

lpnflorida, LPN · Sep 19, 2008

Can increased stress lead to health problems? Of course that has already been studied.

Do I believe nursing in and of itself as opposed to working in another field is the cause ? No I do not.

It is how one handles stress which is the culprit . I believe it would be unfair to single out nursing.

How much of health deteriorating is stress, versus getting older? Meaning no matter what you did as a living it would have happened anyway.

Just my own opinion.

BookwormRN · Sep 19, 2008

Yes, my mental health has deteriorated since I became a nurse. I have worked other fields and never felt this stressed!

I know other nurses who feel the same....

nursemike, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2008

Yes. Before nursing school, I was borderline hypertensive, pre-diabetic, morbidly obese and at least working on COPD, but at least I had my health. During nursing school, I was sick about half the time, but didn't have time to notice. First couple of years as a nurse, GI problems out the wazoo (so to speak), and it's coming on toward time for my annual bronchitis, although I have managed to at least cut back on my smoking a bit. Taking metformin, lisinopril, and simavastatin when I can remember them.

I blame my doctor. Before I started seeing him, ten years ago, there was nothing wrong with me.

leosasha · Sep 19, 2008

Another night nurse here. Gave up the day shift due to the added stress of the environment. Have had many physical symptoms on both shifts. Irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, heart palpitations, headaches, anxiety, back problems, tendonitis, and joint problems as well as weight gain. Of course menepause was thrown into the mix. I started taking b complex with vitamin c. Also drink more H2O. Also increased my calcium intake and take a joint supplement. I bought a treadmill to increase my excercise and stamina. I cut out most red meat and eat more veggies and fruits. I was invited to participate in a march on the capitol in California last year by the CNA and felt better for 6 months after that. All that hollering benifited me greatly.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2008

I blame my doctor. Before I started seeing him, ten years ago, there was nothing wrong with me.

:yeah:

I blame the few health problems I have on the physical strain that comes with nursing. Even if I can get through a shift without doing much lifting, my arm is still killing me. Hopefully PT and steroids will help.

truern · Sep 19, 2008

Oh, yeah:

developed Type II DM while in last year of NS

migraines

horrible GERD...I take Nexium in am and 300 mg Zantac hs

big time insomnia....nothing seems to work :-(

developed hypertensive cardiovascular disease

HBP

Breast CA: double mastectomy w/reconstruction, prophalactic chemo and hysterectomy

Meniere's, to the point I had to get FMLA to cover the absenses

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2008

I have Meneires also. Im right now suffering an exacerbation with no relief. I keep hearing a low-pitched roaring and have a hard time hearing others. And the vertigo! Its horrible.

After 2 years of working nightshift, I developed severe colon problems that resulted in a hemicolectomy. About 1.5 years later, developed same problems and had to have a total colectomy with hysterectomy due to scar tissue and endometriosis that had become 100 times worse. I finally had to go onto dayshift, with little improvement I also have depression and anxiety now, insomnia. The worst though is the constant massive fatigue. I am tired, so tired I cant get out of bed, on my days off. Right now Im lying in my bed on my laptop dreading going back to work tomorrow. Nursing is not what I thought it was going to be. I love helping others, but its hard when I cant even take care of myself anymore.

yeSICU · Sep 19, 2008

I was a healthy/active person...then nursing school....then a nurse. Now I stay sick. I think it may be stress related? :stone Ive had multiple surgeries, multiple illnesses, I NEVER feel well anymore. Anyone else going/gone thru this?

My mental health has definitely declined...lol:coollook:

leosasha · Sep 19, 2008

I forget to mention the most important weapon in my orificenal. Sence of humor. If you loose it you are sunk. I have found that laughter is the best medicine, though sometimes I am concerned that my humor has become somewhat, "twisted".

Southern Belle RN · Sep 19, 2008

OMG I have just been lurking the boards and never posting but I had to get in on this one !! :typing I have developed so many issues since becoming an RN. Just had my gallbladder ripped out (or at least it felt like it). Terrible stomach probs, borderline htn, of course weight gain, started occasionally firing up a good ole cig ( great for my asthma) taking meds for anxiety. I also hear pt symptoms & dx and think I could have the same thing. I feel a little better knowing I am not alone in this.

tifffear · Sep 19, 2008

yup!
after night shift.. my thyroid crapped out.. i developed a pretty bad mysterious stomach condition in which i was nauseas and dry heaving everyday after most meals..developed tachycardia and heart palpitations.. raise in blood pressure..lost a bunch of weight..skipped a period even though I take bc...the worst insomnia I've ever had.. i ended up in urgent care one evening in panic that i was dying (i lasted only one more month on night shift)
even 3 months later... im off the daily prilosec and im no longer dry heaving, but my stomach has definitely still not fully recovered.. I still can't keep weight on and I actually force feed myself. I'm actually hanging out with a rather annoying cold (but that just happens sometimes =P)

OMG inthesky, I had identical problems. Started out with extreme GERD, EGD found small hiatal hernia, N/V, Prevacid 30mg BID. HIDA scan was normal. 6 months later 25lb wt loss, HR 150's, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain then diarrhea. Found Grave's disease. Never able to gain control over HR with Inderal had surgery instead of iodine ablation.

After surgery, I feel better than I did three years ago. Now having my labs monitored due to low Calcium and high Phosphurus levels. Been a night nurse for years.

I just don't snack during the night shift, drink lots of water now. Weight is my dream weight and I am maintaining well. However, I am switching my specialty in hopes to reduce stress.

leosasha · Sep 19, 2008

I also forgot to mention that I see a chiropracter reguarly. When my spine is straight I have less digestive issues and less overall pain. I also sleep much better. He is also very supportive of supplements. I have a brother in law who is a physician. A few years back he kindly informed me, "If you don'nt look out for yourself no one will". I am making every attempt to do so but admit it is difficult because the environments I work in are often very toxic.