Nurses With Chronic Pain...How do You Cope?

[westieluv]

I have a history of neck injury from an auto accident in 2001. I have had cervical disc surgery in 2002 and 2008 and have a titanium plate in my neck. Over the years I have developed a lot of arthritis and stenosis in my neck and have never really felt normal, as in, completely pain free and not stiff or sore most days.

I had been working a telephone triage job from home the past few years which caused "pinchy neck" when I was on the phone a lot during a busy 8 hour shift, but it wasn't horrible and I just lived with it. Recently, though, I have had to find a job with healthcare benefits as we lost ours when my DH lost his job last spring and the triage company didn't offer any. I found a full-time position in a chronic dialysis unit working three days a week after applying for other telephone type jobs and not hearing anything. I figured, correctly, that dialysis would not put as much of a physical strain on my body as acute inpatient care or something worse, like LTC. Still, I do a lot of twisting and bending over the course of a day, not to mention being on my feet for 10+ hours, and it is taking a toll on my neck again.

After a long day in the dialysis clinic, I have extreme pain in the right side of my head and radiating through my shoulder and down my right arm. It is my right side that has always been affected by my neck injuries/surgeries, and it feels exactly the same as it always does when my neck gets bad again. Our healthcare benefits through my job will kick in on August 1, at which time I will make an appointment with the neurosurgeon who did my neck surgeries to see what I can find out.

So here is my question. Do any of you work with chronic pain, and if so, how do you cope? I really do not want another neck surgery, as I have already had two and it will only add to the long term stenosis and arthritis. Physical therapy helps for a short time until I have to stop it, then everything is the same as it always was. I am not a candidate for long term opioid or NSAID pain meds, as they cause severe nausea and vomiting with me, plus, I don't want opioids in my body AT ALL, anytime, and don't feel that a nurse should be working with opioids on board anyway, if it is even legal.

Is there any hope for me to work as a nurse pain free? Do they ever award disability for someone with chronic pain issues who cannot tolerate opioids, NSAIDS, or other pain meds long term? I can't quit the dialysis job because I have had too many jobs over the past few years, looking for "the one" where I wouldn't be in pain (thought I had finally found it with the triage job, but life happens, I guess) and I'm quite frankly, a job hopper now, plus, we need the income and benefits.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I have chronic lumbar pain and I've visited a chiropractor a couple of times. This helped me to identify some strategies and pinpoint the pain.

I've found that daily yoga (10-15 min) has improved my pain. I don't use opiods. I don't want to start. Not certain that you will be pain free but there are ways to manage the pain.

[westieluv]

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate the suggestions. I think my first stop will be my neurosurgeon so that he can order some diagnostic testing to see why the neck pain and radiculopathy is so much worse again and then go from there. If he recommends a chiropractor I will try that route. Anything to help this pain. My shoulder feels like a heavy person is sitting on it even as I'm sitting here typing this and I just woke up and have to go work a 10+ hour shift today.

[topazann]

I will respond. I had back pain . I have been doing Telephone Triage 2 yrs The good is that I didn't have to work 12-hr shifts anymore, didn't have to walk the hard floors, didn't have the hospital or office politics .

We are never on our own during calls...we do have resource and the calls are guided by algorythms. Working from home is another incentive.

The one thing I missed the most is not being around my collegues. I started working in a call center which I think is excellent training, but the training can be done from home as well.

Telephone Triage is an excellent alternative for those who have medical/chronic issues.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I had an acupuncturists for years as I was fighting a disease that caused awful pain.It works wonders and most insurance now covers it and even if it did not it is worth every penny! Be adviced though that after the first treatment or two the pain may get worse then suddenly it's gone. I would find a good acupuncturist!

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I have chronic pain R/T Fibro as well as ulcerative bowel disease. This should not be construed as medical advice just what works for me. I moved from acute care to psych (Stressful for sure but not so much lifting and moving etc....) I stretch evert day, drink alkaline water and eat an alkaline diet. When the pain is really bad and I am not working I take meds prescribed by my doc. I sleep and eat regularly...... I have come to accept that I will always be in pain of some sort - I just keep marching on.

hppy

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

Yes, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic plantar fasciitis , and neck pain after an MVA last year. I quit my 12 HR shift job, and occasionally work an 8 HR shift in a doctors office. My normal job is in an urgent care clinic for only 4-5 hrs shifts with the occasional weekend day from 830-5. What works best for me is to plan at least 1 day off to recover in between the day shifts, I also have meloxicam 15 mg, which helps somewhat, but hurts my stomach so I rarely take it. I am an LPN and am going back to school for RN. I am nervous about the clinicals, but I hope as an RN I will have more per diem opportunities. Hang in there. My naturopath has me starting a low dose naltrexone which is supposed to help with chronic pain. The Low Dose Naltrexone Homepage. Only 3 mg. so we shall see what happens.