Nursing with a back problem?

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Specializes in Infusion.

I know...I am crazy for even thinking about Nursing right?

I have had lower back pain since I was pg with my first child 8 years ago, he was almost 12 lbs!!

An MRI shows all 5 lumbar disks are bulging (not herniated though). I am overweight right now, and am hoping that losing the extra weight will help with the back pain.

I am looking into an LPN program, and figure working in a doctor's office would be less lifting.....but getting through the nursing assistant pre-req and then the clinicals is what concerns me.

Am I totally crazy for even thinking I can do this? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I really want to work in healthcare, and not just paper pushing.

Thanks!

Natascha

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Specializes in Infusion.

I guess I am hoping someone had made it thru despite.....or they've been able to get rid of the pain somehow......

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I had two level back surgery in 2007 and am starting school next month. I am also wondering this, but very, very determined to do this anyway. I know it may be rough, I was a medical asst for several years and I just love the nursing field, so no matter what, I am going to make this work! (at least i hope so..haha)

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Specializes in Infusion.

Oh wow...surgery.....how are you with day to day tasks? Do you still have pain? I will have a rough day if I am constantly bending to the floor to pick stuff up (with 2 kids that is pretty much all day)......so then I ice.....and I found an ibuprofen cream that works well.....(and bypasses the hearburn I get from oral ibuprofen.

Thanks! That is how I am feeling too. I just don't know what else to do?!! That is all I feel I should be doing! I've decided for the Nursing Assist class I will take it at the college that has clinicals only on Saturdays....and classes are 2 evenings per week....that way I have a break between clinicals...the other college does it in 3 weeks.....2 weeks of clinicals everyday.....

I am hoping that once in clinicals for LPN it wouldn't require as much lifting as a nursing assistant (whose whole job description is dressing/toileting/lifting etc....)

I hope this is correct?? For those currently in school?

Thanks!

Have a great evening!

Natascha

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Well, I am actually doing pretty darn good! I do get tired around my hip area after standing too long on hard floors, and that worries me about clinicals. I don't like meds..but I do take ibuprofen at times. I have to constantly move around, not sit too long (which causes my back problems, sitting in broken chairs at work!!)

I have the Dynesys system at two levels with a lamenectomy. I have always been active, riding off road, quads, swimming, etc etc...so this is a new life, but you can hardly tell I had the surgery, if not for me making sure I don't do something I am not supposed to do! I always hear people saying how they are so horrible after surgery...my legs were going numb, still do at times, but better to have my stable system in my back than to not have it.

My Dr. released me back to full duty, no restrictions. He did warn me that IF I ask for 30lb restrictions, that would/could hurt me in my future work..so with nursing in my future..thank goodness I don't have that restriction.

Basically, I have had to learn how to live a different life, such as when to bend, when not to, what I can and can't do. I have had to learn to ask for help and not be so stubborn, do it myself type person! hahaha

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Specializes in Infusion.

I can relate...the stubborness! LOL!! Last time I threw it out it was trying to fix a baby gate on my GF's stairs in Ireland last July.....I was bending/twisting and trying to apply a lot of pressure to get it to stick to the walls.....my entire back went into spasms.....of course the first thing DH did was yell at me that I should have called him to do it.....

Sitting too long is definately bad....

Have a great night!

Natascha

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Well, all I can say, at least I am not willing to sit home, gain 300lbs and "use the system", (not saying everyone does that!!) I want to get out and work! I do accounting, but soooo miss the medical field.

Hopefully you also will be ok through school! Find someone to talk to if you get down, or think you can't do it due to the pain! A Support system! Be strong and go for what you want no matter what.

Do some low back exercises, build the muscles around where you hurt, you need to make it stronger, this will help.

Kymery

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I saw a PT that did ultrasound and said all the core exercises in the world will not help if you don't target the multifidus muscle.....doing these exercises by first contracting the multifidus (which is basically doing a very deep kegel and holding it...she used an ultrasound to help you contract it).....has really been helping...

This site has some good info on it....

http://www.massagetherapypractice.com/Text/1197217922296-9070/pC/1164930096301-0119/Anatomy-&-Technique

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I was ordered PT before my surgery, and actually it made it worse!! I ended up getting an epidural. I couldn't even put on my shoes! I do try to keep my back moving, to keep it strong, and not "baby" it too much.

Thank you for the website. I always love good info.

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Specializes in Infusion.

Your welcome....met an acupuncturist today...so I am going to give that a whirl!

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Good for you! You can't, or should I say you "shouldn't" sit on your orifice...go out and love your life to its fullest! Your back would get worse if you sat around dong nothing. When I am happy, my back is happy!

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