[Beautiful-Love]

I've been mulling over this dilemma...and still unsure of what to do.

Long story short...I'm a recent college grad. My major is in Human Biology, and I've been working for the past 2.5 years as a CNA. I'm a petite person and I don't like lifting...Now I'm currently working at a local hospital, which has always been where I wanted to work (as a CNA), and finally I got it about a year ago...but now I'm starting to develop back pain. I think it is due to my previous job where I worked in an assisted living and it's probably a chronic pain issue.

Now being 23, this is freaking me out. I have NUMEROUS patients coming in with back pain, some in their 30's and some older, and it's a problem I don't think anyone would want to have. The pain hasn't gotten so bad that I have to take pain relievers, but it's been bothering me to the point where if I'm sitting playing my piano for a long period of time and that I get up it would notice the pain. Or if I'm bending certain ways I would notice the pain...It's not excruciating but it's there. I have no history of back problem prior to this and I think if I ever get pregnant it might worsen that.

NOW...I'm doing all of this CNA work so that I can accumulate patient care hours for programs I want to apply to. I'm thinking 2.5 years should be enough but it's really competitive in the first place that a lot of the applicants are people who've been nurses for years or some other health professionals. I'm not looking to go into school to get licensed in something else, work for a couple years and apply...I have time-pressing complicated stuff that I want this to be done and me in a program asap.

CNA working in a hospital is a pretty good salary for a college student, especially doing weekend differentials. Anyhow, I feel like I really need a break and I'm doing full-time with a side chemistry class that I'm currently taking. I don't know if the pain I'm getting is physical labor alone or if it's stress related as well. If I quit my job, I would lose all of my benefits, won't have the money to pay back my student loans and it's probably going to take me a while to find a job. A friend of mine just found a job after months of searching and applying at different places. I don't know if it's the best thing I can do...to not work so I get time to recover and feeling less stressed.

On the other hand, I can continue to work UNTIL I find another job -- thinking a pharm tech job, though I'm not certified, so I don't think a lot of places would want to hire me and have me go through all the paper work and getting myself certified. And even if I do find a pharm tech job in a future, 2-3 months in might worsen my back even more. I have an appointment with a doctor later this month that I'm hoping will be helpful to get some answers about my back. Chiropractics costs a lot too and a lot of people say if I go see a chiropractor it's more likely going to be a number of visits, which will be costly. Driving to school costs me at least 200 dollars a month in gas, not to mention money for food and other expenses (including my student's loans).

Should I quit AFTER my dr appointment (while my benefits will still cover the visit) OR should I continue to work and try to take it easy?

I can go part-time or per-diem but then again I would still lose my benefits and working once a week or once in two weeks...how would take help with my recovery. Full-time where I work is working 3 days a week (12-hour shifts).

Thank you for any advice. I'm sorry...I didn't intend this to be so long.

[Travelinglady]

I've heard that many people in your line of work develop back problems. If you can, I suggest you try to be careful and stick with the job at least until you talk to your doc later on this month. Maybe your doc can give you some suggestions for how to care for your back, and you can make it until you get enough hours to look respectable for your future plans....

[Leed]

I think you'd better stay with the job until you can find out what's wrong with your back. DO NOT GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR! That's the most dangerous thing a "spinal patient" can do when they don't know what's wrong with their back!! My Neurosurgeon told me that a spinal patient can end up paralyzed and in a wheelchair by going to a chiropractor because just one adjustment can cause permanent damage!! So do NOT go to a chiro!!!

Get the tests done that you need. I've been a spinal patient for 27-28 years and have had every test available done. I think you need an MRI with and without contrast material done. That way they can see what's going on with the discs and soft tissue as well as the bones. An X-ray will NOT show the discs. The discs are soft tissue and X-rays only show bone. So wait til you can get your tests done under insurance before you make any decisions to quit. You need that insurance!!! Actually you need that job! After the tests, perhaps they can put you on light duty, depending on the results.

Best of luck. Let us know how it comes out, ok? Hugs, Lee

[Beautiful-Love]

Thank you guys! I just feel so weary of it and I don't want to end up with permanent damage just because I needed CNA hours.

@ Leed: I've looked online and some people going to a chiro doesn't treat it either...maybe temporarily, sometimes make it even worse! And the nurses at work said you still have to pay quite a bit even if you have insurance as the hospital insurance doesn't really cover it or something. I don't know the EXTENT of the condition...but in my guts I feel like it could be degenerative...or thinning of the disc at my lower lumbar because when I move certain ways, I can feel the joints rubbing ---- Now I don't know if a lot of ppl can feel that too (who don't have back problems)...but I just happen to crack my fingers too sometimes out of habit. I don't really go see a dr that often, but I made an appt for a physical exam...Since I thought I could just ask the doc then about my bac.

Can you just get a MRI? Or does the condition have to be bad enough for the doc to order one for you? I feel kind of nervous since I'm basically working at that hospital.

[bitten]

Unreal. I work in a hospital, in a psych/detox ward in a major city in the US, and have had 5 major surgeries. I am 45. You are right . No one would want this pain. I also am a classical pianist so thats why I say wow. We are too much alike.

Let me just ay this...because of my surgeries and pain, I was put on pain meds, narcotics and became an addict very quickly. Ironic, I know, as I deal with addiction at my job every day. But right now I am almost 6 months clean, after being on med since I was 11 yrs old. So I suffer in pain...every day...all day. So please be careful, and possibly find a new career path? if i knew then what i know now...good luck!

[Beautiful-Love]

I've had my physical, asked about my back and she ordered an x-ray.

I finally got the report back, and this is what is stated:

FINDINGS:
There are 5 lumbar type vertebral bodies. There is well corticated nonunion of the L1 transverse processes bilaterally. Finding may be congenital, posttraumatic also possible. Other transverse processes are intact. Visualized pelvic bones are unremarkable. The vertebral body height and alignment are maintained. No acute compression fracture. The disk spaces are maintained. No significant degenerative spondylosis.

IMPRESSION:
1. No acute compression fracture or significant degenerative spondylosis.
2. Chronic nonunion of the bilateral L1 transverse processes.

I know a lot of people had an MRI but since I'm changing from full-time status to PRN at my job, I won't have health insurance so I wouldn't be able afford an MRI. The doctor suggested physical therapy, and she can make an order for that, but same reason...not health benefit beginning next month, so I guess I have to wait on it. And I've heard that many insurance companies don't want you to have an MRI until it is necessary or like if you've already done physical therapy and nothing is working.

I'm not sure what that means concerning my lumbar 1 though... The nurse was the one on the phone making the phone call but since I was in a hurry I didn't really ask a lot of questions.

[H3rmit]

One thing comes to mind for me that might be helpful to you. Are you fit - in the sense of well-developed muscles and not a lot of useless body weight? Because in your job, it seems the muscles would be important. I have always had strength from weight lifting, but recently I took up swimming and the benefits to general musculature have been profound. So many things are less painful. Physio doesn't fix things in my experience, but building up the structure, the reserves, really prevents problems and helps fix them. Well, just my 2 cents. I'm not a jock or any kind of medical worker, just someone who has done a lot of physical work.

[thwartedbyworkmates]

I also am in a job that requires heavy lifting and have back problems. I work in a University bookstore. I finally had to give up my receiving position and just work light duties for a time. Now, I work strictly on cash and lighter lifting duties. I understand how you feel, but remember NO job or career is worth ruining your back over! There are other options open for you especially in your field. Also you could return to college or universtity and take more Sciences to expand your credentials. My best advice is to go easy on your back, look at all your options and go from there. I hope this helps.