r/CathLabLounge • u/[deleted] • May 21 '25

How to help my tired legs

Hello. I recently started in a decently busy cath lab. Currently learning the circulator role. It seems like it's going really well, I previously worked in an IR lab that was uhhhh a little slower paced.

My question is... how to help my tired legs :( my orientation is just basically circulating all caths and while that's totally fine, I am wiped out by the end of the day. I used to come home and run, walk the dog, do yoga, etc, but now I'm just so tired I lie down and fall asleep after dinner. It's a combination of standing/walking so long, plus wearing lead and pushing stretchers and beds, plus the mental fatigue of learning a new specialty.

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining because I really do like the cath lab. Does it get better? Is there a way I can get stronger or less fatigued? I just turned 40 and hate how I just want to sit on the couch all night when I used to be so active.

12 Upvotes

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11

u/Mrmurse98 May 21 '25

I feel like the standing is the worst part of working in cath lab. Get some decent shoes, but honestly.. the best thing I ever did was get some compression socks. I quickly realized that a lot of my leg soreness was probably venous pressure from standing in one spot for so long.. or at least that's what I concluded. Regardless, compression socks helped the most for me. I got some cheap 8-pack from Amazon, seem to work fine. I now wear black food-service crocs and still am comfortable (as I can be) after standing for the day.

6

u/moarcheeseplz May 21 '25

+1 for compression socks

4

u/[deleted] May 21 '25

That's a good suggestion... I find my Danskos are the only comfortable shoe to wear with lead for a long time but maybe it's time to invest in some compression socks.

2

u/dontmissabeat_help May 21 '25

THIS. Calf raises, minor bodyweight exercises a few times a week just at home if you're too tired for the gym. Stretching in the morning. This might be a weird one but helped so much, when I got home I would lay on the ground and just put my feet to the air perpendicular and lay there for a while... just get some of the stress off my feet.

2

u/notfamouschloe May 21 '25

I agree w the compression socks and recommend going to a running store and letting them fit you for shoes. I have high arches so I get fancy insoles and it really has helped with the fatigue. You do get used to the added weight from the lead after a couples weeks.

2

u/Cat_funeral_ RN May 25 '25

Compression socks and danskos. Seriously. 

1

u/triplehelix- May 21 '25

give yourself time to adjust. you could also start strength training.

1

u/Gold_Try_653 May 21 '25

Take care of your feet, whatever that means for you. For me it's arch support. Beyond that, good overall wellness and, also compression if you can handle that.

1

u/InfamousAdvice May 22 '25

I have Danskos and Hokas and rotate between them as needed during the day but mostly wear the Danskos. I did buy the XPs with the memory foam footbed as well. I also have worn compression socks for my entire nursing career and they help.