Is my job adding to my pain?

[karen10300]

I would like to know if if being on my feet 8 hrs a day at work or the heavy lifting I do can be adding to my flares. It seems as the day goes on I feel more and more pain. Can carring heavy trays in the dining room or lifting and transferring patients along with being on my feet constantly be a bad thing for me or is it if the pain is going to be there it's going to be there no matter what you do physically?

[Babs RN]

Yes, my job made my pain worse. I also was on my feet for 12 hours and did tons of heavy lifting(ER nurse). I hope to go back to school next year to get an advanced degree so I can stay in nursing and maybe off my feet a tiny bit.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[DawnsRuby19]

Yeah, my job made my pain and flare ups worse. I finally ended up quitting my job and having my boyfriend take on a second job to keep the money coming in. Plus I have noticed that now that I am not working, my treatments are actually helping me out a lot more. I think it is due to my stress level being reduced by a whole lot.
-Crystal

[omb76]

My job doesn't necessarily make my pain worse (desk jocky), but I do find that the more active I am the worse I feel. I usually start off in the mornings feeling pretty good, but deteriorate as the day progresses. I stated taking Prelieve Monday along with Tums and can really tell a difference. I take anywhere from 2-6 Prelieve with each meal. Have felt pretty much normal all week! :woohoo:

[csocain]

Walking and standing for longer periods are hard on my IC body. Starts up the lower back pain. Lifting is the hardest thing on me, though. If you have to lift things, remember to hold them close to your body. Less pull on your back that way. This has helped me, but I still ask for help when lifting anything that is even moderately heavy. Also standing up from a squatting position or when picking something up (with your knees bent) is also hard on your back. I'm learning to be aware of how I do things these days and which ways are more painful than others. Just a few suggestions. Hope they help.

[ICNDonna]

Lifting and being on your feet for long periods could definitely contribute to a flare.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[Sarojini]

I know that if I've had a really busy day where I've been on my feet a lot, I feel worse that evening. It's definitely possible you are the same way. Also, if you feel stressed at work, that can also contribute to your flare-ups. :grouphug:

[karen10300]

Thanks everyone. I'm just so glad to know that this isn't just all in my mind. I'm a nursing assistant and I do everything from lifting and moving residents to cleaning off the dining room tables which means carrying heavy trays of dishes. I'm on my feet pretty much the whole eight hours. Some days are crazier than others so there can be a whole lot of stress trying to be everywhere at once and to get everything done. I also oversee the other people on my shift, making sure they are doing what they should be doing. I'm getting stressed now just writing this and thinking about how my work days are.lol I guess I'm thinking if I will be able to continue to do this over the long haul or if I should be considering a job change. My bosses know I have IC, but I also know they don't really understand it and the pain that can go along with it.There isn't a whole lot written on what types of physical things can really affect us . Thanks again.

[Babs RN]

Karen,
Maybe not a job change, but area change. I don't know what kind of floor you work on, but if you let HR know what your limitations are, you could work on a floor like Mother Baby, NICU, or Same Day Surgery where there is less heavy lifting because the patients are either healthy or smaller. You can draw up a contract with your HR, yourself and your bosses that you all agree on.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug: