Hoping for some hope!!

[brandirn69]

I am a nurse that over the past few weeks have had to help with various different "heavy lifts" that I am not usually involved in.  I have always had a certain amount of lower backaches rating like 2/10 or so, really just an annoyance.  But now for the past two days the pain is more concentrated on the right side and kind of encompasses the hip and thigh.  I think I am the most concerned about the way my toes on the right feel "tired".  I would have to say the pain is more like 6/10 at  this point and hard to get comfortable at all.  I think I know what you may say, but I am looking for a push I guess if I need to be seen for this.  I hate going to the dr and spending the money if its ok.  Thanks.

[brandirn69]

Thanks to all that answered, yes, I need to learn to take care of myself.  I have health insurance but had my baby get hospitalized right after his first birthday and have recently had the bills start rolling in from that, so right now even the copays sound like to much money to waste, Since I posted this the numbness has faded out, I still get some serious back pain if I do something that keeps me hunched over like bathing the kids, or the dog, or whatever.  It has really helped me learn to use things like the raising of the bed to my advantage while dealing with or treating  a patient.  I try to think with my back now if you will.  I can say that I dont think that I hurt myself in a way that would put me on disability.  I think it would take the loss of a limb for that to happen.  I enjoy my work and my time away from housewife/mommy land way to much to let a back ache slow me down.  I am going to look in to the back brace thing that was mentioned b/c your totally right on that I wouldn't want to bow our if I was needed by someone.  I try to get someone else like a CNA when available but sometimes, I just gotta do it myself, a brace would be great for that!!!

[agape1947]

See your DR. and insist on a lumbar mri. I had same thing happen to me and      am now on disability. Therapy may help if early

[DeeDee694]

Do you have health insurance? You mentioned not wanting to spend the money.  My dear look at all the other things you may spend money on.  There is nothing more important to spend your money on than your health.  You're any RN for God's sake.  Help yourself.  I used to use a back brace that I got from a PT facility of go to a medical supply place.  I wore mine every night to work.  You know that with nursing you never know what you may be called upon to do.  If you beg off and don't pitch in it affections your work relationships and you don't want to be seen as lazy or uncooperative.  See a doctor who you have confidence in. Get the brace, like yesterday!  Good luck.