u/Trick_Ad9722

A little of a year ago I was in a bad car accident that caused back pain with sciatica. I have been through PT, massage, non-invasive chiro, acupuncture, pain medication and 3 rounds of spinal injections. Best response with my spinal injections, pain mediation and massage. Pain aggravated with prolong sitting and prolong stationary. Since finding out about being pregnant I tapered off medication and the fatigue is kicking my A\*S and now, I have been feeling my sciatica more and really effecting my sleep and Unable to truly rest when the fatigue is hitting.

Has anyone else dealt with this before and how did you handle it?

I’m really concerned about how my symptoms will be as this baby grows. My pain specialist just told me to ask my OB what is safe. \*rolls eyes\*

I work currently in Hawai’i.

But my same position is around the same amount in other states +/- 5k.

Previously was in Rheumatology.

I left clinical medicine a few years ago and I absolutely love it. My job requires my PA skills and knowledge without the clinical headache and burnout. I definitely do not see myself ever going back.

I’ve been a PA for 10 years and this is the most money I have ever made but then I’ve been noticing the last year or so, several PAs making $175-200k+

Did I miss the boat with the recent pay increase bumps or is this just certain specialities?

EDIT:

To clarify on my position:

I work in a non clinical position that has me conduct medical exams for legal purposes. Even though I’m not providing any clinical care or management. I do not work in primary care.

I live off of 35% of my income. So, it’s not about lifestyle question, more about if I need to advocate my worth is more?

They charge the client around $250-$400 for my exam. I do around 200-250 exams a month. The math ain’t mathing.

NEWBIE: I need advice on how much I should fund my new 401k funded by my new 1099 where I can also be the employer to contribute? All foreign to me. How to diversify as I’m mostly in individual stocks now?

I currently invest $3k a month in my individual BA (10k some months when the market is in huge dips). I have 40k in savings. I of course can google/AI all of this but all the best advice is from real life experiences. ~200k in BA (ROTH & Individual BA)

I’m an almost 40F with take home salary of $12k monthly with fixed cost of ~35%. No kiddos. Married (not counting his income in any of the math for focus on new 1099 income - but I make double)

No debt except student loans that are on route to be paid off.

I’m moving to 1099 contract work that is exactly the same work as my current job. Income will be the same with more autonomy and potential higher up side dependent on home much I work.

I’m pretty disciplined (budget and do the math monthly with expenses and future purchases). Last year, I declined federal taxes coming out of my paycheck and put monthly aside for no surprises on tax day.

My first years with my big girl income I focused on the debt in front of me, mortgage and car. All paid off. Then I realized I needed to FINALLY focus on retirement planning at age 38. YIKES! And felt super behind.

I started off with the usual, maxed out Roth IRA on tax day for year 2024 and 2025 with S&P index ETFs like everyone recommends. My company had horrible 401k options with no match so I opened my individual brokerage account within 6 months of my ROTH and became obsessed and some days I wonder if this is a form of gambling addiction but my stock purchases are thoughtful and methodical.

Goal is to retire FT in 5 years then move to part-time work.