I have a mix of problems

Time for a case management gig, maybe.

BabyNurse,

I can relate. Before becoming an RN I was a Registered Dental Hygienist--I totally destroyed my C5 and C6 I had to stop practicing because of the pain and the numbness and tingling in my hands and fingers. So bright idea...I went to nursing school.

Sort of jumping out of the frying pan...anyway, now my neck is tolerable...but I think that's only cause I have so much pain everywhere else!

Since I began working as a nurse, I have had to have bilateral hip and bilateral knee replacements too.(just grateful I can walk)

10 years ago I also was diagnosed with the ever popular Fibromyalgia. Tried Lyrica etc...sort of try to forget about that.

As far as working goes...I found that working PICU and NICU worked well for me. Ususally only had 2 patients and they were usualy in close proximity. Unless there was a code, I didnt have to run around alot.

I began working as a Case manager 4 months ago and oddly enough, my back is killing me now because I have to sit too much so that may not be the answer for you (or me, either.)

I did school nursing for a while and that was not too bad physically, occasionally I did have to go out to the play ground cause a kid fell off of the monkey bars or something like that. But the rest of the time I was in the clinic just enough moving around, just enough sitting. Is that an option for you?

Also, how about management or MDS in LTC? I have done both of those and not too bad on the body.

Good luck and take care of yourself.:redbeathe

s

Thanks so much for all of the encouragement and good ideas. Sometimes I swear I can't see the forest through the trees anymore! I always welcome outside sight to help me see the whole picture. Again, thank you!!

BabyNurse,

I can relate. Before becoming an RN I was a Registered Dental Hygienist--I totally destroyed my C5 and C6 I had to stop practicing because of the pain and the numbness and tingling in my hands and fingers. So bright idea...I went to nursing school.

Sort of jumping out of the frying pan...anyway, now my neck is tolerable...but I think that's only cause I have so much pain everywhere else!

Since I began working as a nurse, I have had to have bilateral hip and bilateral knee replacements too.(just grateful I can walk)

10 years ago I also was diagnosed with the ever popular Fibromyalgia. Tried Lyrica etc...sort of try to forget about that.

As far as working goes...I found that working PICU and NICU worked well for me. Ususally only had 2 patients and they were usualy in close proximity. Unless there was a code, I didnt have to run around alot.

I began working as a Case manager 4 months ago and oddly enough, my back is killing me now because I have to sit too much so that may not be the answer for you (or me, either.)

I did school nursing for a while and that was not too bad physically, occasionally I did have to go out to the play ground cause a kid fell off of the monkey bars or something like that. But the rest of the time I was in the clinic just enough moving around, just enough sitting. Is that an option for you?

Also, how about management or MDS in LTC? I have done both of those and not too bad on the body.

Good luck and take care of yourself.:redbeathe

s

try modifying your work station so that you are standing at your computor.....

Hi,

I've been thinking of taking a NICU job, due to issues I'll mention below, but all of them want experience. I have lots of Peds experience from years back. And would love to work with the NICU babies. I'm currently working as a Cath Lab nurse, and have been doing this the past 18 years.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 5 years ago after many years of symptoms. However, I've been able to work, the only issue really effecting my work was the fatigue.

I've had osteoarthritis in various joints for years, but was told about 5 years ago my arthritis got worse. Was having lots of pain in both knees and right hip. Was having problems bending knees and sleeping on right hip due to pain. Had several courses of cortisone in both knee joints and right hip joint. Was put on Celebrex 1x/day. That helped me till recently.

Four years ago, at work, I badly broke my shoulder/rt humeral head into 3 pieces, linear fracture of humerus, broken displaced clavicle and severe soft tissue injury to rt elbow. My orthopedic doctor played it conservative, and with much (7 months) of physical therapy and early immobilization, I recovered! I do have some very slight residual pain (chronic tendonitis), but very little limitations with it.

Last fall, after having several episodes of SOB, my primary sent me to a pulmonary doc, and after a sleep study, found I had sleep apnea! So since February I've been on BiPap. So far I'm still not feeling that 'wow' feeling like I did on my 2nd sleep study where I was tested on my mask and woke up feeling wide awake and rested. So I'm still dealing with the fatigue and sleepiness.

Then the end of March my arthritis in my knees and right hip flared up. My doc took me off Celebrex for a short period, and put me on Prednisone for 2 weeks, which I hated, too many side effects. Got set of knee xrays. Brought them to my doc, he looked at them and said 'You're going to need knee surgery!'.... I'm still waiting to see an ortho doc ( long story).

So, here I am, wondering what's going to happen if I need knee surgery/replacement. I'm the main bread winner, my husband is medically retired. I can not see myself returning to cath lab after knee replacement surgery (if that's what is needed). I'm already having problems getting through the day, with the knee pain. I've had coworkers taking my call, to reduce my standing and working too long. If I switch jobs now, I'm not sure if I can pass a physical with this knee issue. And then I would have to take time off from a new job if I have surgery. So I'm thinking I need to stay put right now. But it is affecting my job in ways, as well as my paycheck. I'm hoping I get good news from the ortho doc.....

Anyway, sorry to ramble, but thanks for listening/reading! I'll have to keep checking back here to see how everyone is doing. Oh, and I don't have a BS degree. So teaching, or supervisory jobs, etc. are not open to me.

Thanks!

Hi Indus,

I just want to offer a word of encouragment. As I said in my previous post I had bilateral hip and bilateral knee replacements.

While no surgery is fun, and of course must not be taken lightly, these were the best things that happened to me!

I had my hips done 6 months apart back in 2002. I had my knees done at the same time (don't let an orthopediac surgeon tell you it can't be done-it is simply an insurance reimbursement issue) in 2005. I went straight home after 3 days in the hospital and had hhc and op pt.

I had been in such excruciating pain before the surgery, I can honestlly say that when I came out of anesthesia, the pain was nothing compared to preop.

I had been on Celebrex and steroids and other NSAIDS, I was also on a hefty

mix of narcotics which by the end really did not help the pain anymore.

If not for the surgeries, I would be in a wheelchair now and in unimaginable pain.

My knees and hips are PAIN FREE! So dont be afraid to have the replacements done if that is what is needed. I was out of work for about 3 months and fortunatley I had short term disability...is that an option for you?

I have rheumatoid arthritis and another autoimmune dx so I still have a lot of pain in other places...but the hips and knees are great!

Feel free to PM me, I would like to give you all of the encouragment you need, it's a big step but so worth it.

Oh, by the way, I am a lot of fun at the airport! I set off those scanners like fourth of july fireworks...and I have heard every "bionic" woman comment there is.

Good luck,

s

Ps. I loved NICU. I am doing case management now, no running at all.

S:

Thanks for the post, and I'll fill you in on things after I get to see the ortho doc! Yes, I do have short term disability, as well as long term disability.

Not to get off the topic, but when I was working at another hospital, they refused me long term disability because they said 'Fibromyalgia was a progressive disease' !!! Yet at this job there was not problem at all getting the long term disability as one of my benefits! (And another: I was refused by my health insurance 3 years ago to get a dexascan to check for osteoporosis, as they said 'family history is not risk factor'.....well, my maternal grandmother had it severe, my mom has it, and 2 of my 3 younger sisters have it, and the other younger sister has osteopenia. One of my sisters is a Down's Syndrome with the osteoporosis, and she's already had 2 fractures in her thoracic vertebrae!)

Anyway, I'll keep you posted! And thank you again!

Indus

Indus,

What??????????????????

I also have the ever popular Fibromyalgia, I was diagnosed in 1979 before they even NAMED it Fibromyalgia!!!!!

I was on the original clinical drug trial for what is now Lyrica...or pregabalin....that was back in 1999...I have been treated for it by Neurologists, Rheumatologists, Internists and Pain management specialists (anesthesia) and NEVER have I heard that Fibro is anywhere near PROGRESSIVE!

In fact, the one thing that has been stressed is that it may flare at times but it is not considered a progressive degerative disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus.

I do also have Sarcoidosis (a strange little autoimmune disease) which can be progressive but can and does go into remission. I was on Methotrexate for that and it did remiss...but ....I am speechless about the Fibro/progressive thing...whoa, sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one.

In regard to the familial history of osteoporosis/I work in insurance preauthorization for case management now and I am here to tell you that a first degree family connection IS a reason to be checked!!!!!

I authorize these tests ALL of the TIME!!!

also for colon cancer/polyps....but I digress...so once again, they are really pulling your chains!

Good Luck,

s

Sorry to hijack the thread but SWS RN, how long did it take for your knee replacements to stop hurting? I am going on 7 months (one knee!) and still feel stiffness and some pain.