Herniated disc!? SOS

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I am in a BSN program and will be graduating May 2018. I have been having on and off back pain for 9 months. I got an MRI a month ago and it revealed a lumbar herniated disc (L5/S1). This injury is starting to control my life and is causing me so much distress about what my future holds. The idea that after all my hard work a back injury will hold me back from the biggest goal of my life is so overwhelming. I feel quite alone dealing with this issue, as I have not met any other nurses who have been through this. I am currently doing physical therapy and following the exercise homework daily. Any advice/comfort/reassurance specifically relating to nursing would be appreciated.

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I have herniated discs. You'll have to find what works for you. I wear good shoes, wear compression socks, slop down with icy hot or biofreeze before my shifts, and do yoga. Yoga has been the single biggest positive thing I have done to alleviate pain and tightness in my back.

There are a LOT of nurses who deal with back issues and other chronic pain issues. Don't let it dissuade you. Good luck!

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I am in a BSN program and will be graduating May 2018. I have been having on and off back pain for 9 months. I got an MRI a month ago and it revealed a lumbar herniated disc (L5/S1). This injury is starting to control my life and is causing me so much distress about what my future holds. The idea that after all my hard work a back injury will hold me back from the biggest goal of my life is so overwhelming. I feel quite alone dealing with this issue, as I have not met any other nurses who have been through this. I am currently doing physical therapy and following the exercise homework daily. Any advice/comfort/reassurance would be appreciated.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I herniated L5/S1 on the right side helping with a transfer of a 500 pound quad to a specialty bed. Perhaps I was more fortunate than you. The first day I had a little sciatic pain, the second day was intense and by the third day, I couldn't feel my right leg. I had the MRI right away and it was a BIG herniation. For 12 weeks they mucked around with rest, PT and steroids -- both oral and directly into my back. The first steroid injection gave me more mobility, but didn't restore the sensation to my leg. (Probably a good thing because the pain was so intense, I could do nothing but roll around and cry. Numb was a blessing.) After the second steroid injection caused the pain to return, my doctor was happy to schedule surgery. And after surgery, a 12 week recovery. Now I'm great -- except for a problem with neuropathies on my right foot. The control of my leg is back, and if parts of the leg and foot are numb, well at least I don't have the PAIN. I was off work for six months, but able to return to my bedside job in the ICU for another 11 years. It all sucks, but it is not the end of the world. Get it taken care of if you can.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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