Hey everyone. So this is kinda a different topic & I wasn’t really sure where to put it so I just made a new thread.
Does anyone deal with painful joints/muscles? I’ve always had somewhat of a bad back and working on a dairy farm for the past 2 years has not helped any. I was just wondering if anyone had any helpful advice for vet school because I don’t want it to get in the way at all. thanks In advance!
If you haven't seen a doctor about it, I recommend you do. They might be able to prescribe PT or something, or at least isolate the problem. I also recommend you find out what triggers your pain-slouching, heavy backpack, lifting improperly, etc.
I have been dealing with a jacked up shoulder since vet school started (after 10 different orthopedists, one finally found that I actually had a very rare congenital bone abnormality). I did get two surgeries, the second which actually relieved my symptoms quite a lot...so that helps. Honestly I used to stash a cold pack in one of the freezers in the school with my name on it. It was the only way I could get through the day without taking the narcotics my MD recommended (They wiped out my pain entirely, but also I wouldn't have been able to stay awake/drive). If you need a heating pad, you can easily stash that under your chair and use it during lecture. If you need to take a break from sitting, do it. A few people in my class use chair cushions since our seats suck.
As for being limited physically, I would just be honest with people. If you have an injury, don't let people/clinicians pressure you into overdoing it. I had an issue with clinicians being downright nasty to me and saying things like "If you're in this much pain when you're young, good luck with your career." Then there are the awesome clinicians who understand and fully support you respecting your body and treating it well before things get worse. It's been over a year since my second surgery, and I still get immense pain the second I hit my limit of activity (which is usually lengthy restraint, unfortunately).
I'm going to reiterate that you should see a doctor to rule out anything they can help you with. Don't do anything new without at least seeing a doctor first, as I've known people who thought yoga/pilates might help, because everyone says it will, and it ended up terribly worsening their injury (especially spinal stuff), no offense to the recommendation above. I wouldn't screw around with back injuries/pain, it can haunt you for life. There may be nothing they can do, but they can at least rule out disc or nerve disease.
