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Having some anxiety issues, medical field related

Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:26 pm
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:26 pm
First off, I'm 42 y/o, married father with 3 kids and I've been a paramedic for 14 years. I was an EMT basic for a few years before that and always worked on a really busy ambulance. I've gone into nursing school. As a paramedic I have always been confident and gross things have never bothered me, I've always felt I could remain calm on anything. I should start by saying I've never had a fear of needles on myself but occasionally have passed out when blood is being drawn from me, never had issues with shots or IVs on me.

Now, I had to have a tider(sp?) done on me for clinical rotations and I passed out having blood drawn. A few days later my nursing instructor tells us we will be sticking each other in class. As a medic I use to let people stick me all the time. For some reason I got bad anxiety about all this and asked her not to let me get stuck. She wouldn't have it and I of course had to lay down while people stuck IVs and IMs in me. I never passed out but ever since then I can't handle seeing blood and needles in people. I constantly feel dizzy, "jelly legged" chest pain, and tightness in stomach.

I've gotten to the point even doing a finger stick on people messes with me. My grades are great and I feel no pressure in the class or at home. I can now not even let someone take a BP on me w/o getting bad anxiety. It's turned into if I'm around a lot of people also I get anxiety. Went to my younger daughter's play at school and got dizzy standing up and had to sit down during prayer. When it was over I couldn't stand up to go to my kids, felt like I was stuck to my seat. I've never had anxiety before and have become terrified. I don't know how to approach a doctor about this and am of course now terrified to go to one. I've always been a calm and laid back guy. For the most part I handle sticking other people ok but can't watch nurses or doctors perform basic procedures, things that have never been an issue until recently. I do get slight anxiety if I'm doing an iv though, I mean, I've done thousands over the years, I don't understand. Any advice?

Tldr version- I have vaginitis
Posted by OWLFAN86
The OT has made me richer
Member since Jun 2004
175896 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:30 pm to
Obvious AIDS is obvious


a shite ton of people here take some pills for anxiety

meet up with one of them and go black market. should end well
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:32 pm to
The blood test I passed out on came back negative for AIDS.
Posted by Ron Cheramie
The Cajun Hedgehog
Member since Aug 2016
5142 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:38 pm to
Sounds like onset of panic attacks from anxiety.

It's alright. You sound like someone that could actually use medication for anxiety. Many different ones out there and you may need to try out several to see what works for you.

Go see a doctor. Good luck.
Posted by TigerBait2008
Boulder,CO
Member since Jun 2008
32429 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:39 pm to
Sup alter
Posted by OWLFAN86
The OT has made me richer
Member since Jun 2004
175896 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:39 pm to
quote:

negative
u gonna die



go see a Dr. fool you're a medical semi professional you should know this
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

Sup alter


Not sure how to respond, but my dad recommended me asking here and set up an account for me. I do read Outdoor board religiously. He said there are many medical folks on here. I don't know how to approach a doctor about this and don't wanna come across like I'm drug seeking. Was hoping someone has known someone to have a similar experience.
Posted by TigerBait2008
Boulder,CO
Member since Jun 2008
32429 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:50 pm to
Don't know how to approach a doctor? Are you serious?
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:51 pm to
You ever think about talking to a psychiatrist? Those are anxiety attacks that frick with your blood pressure. It is probably stress-related
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:53 pm to
quote:

Don't know how to approach a doctor? Are you serious?


Well, I've known my doctor for years. I just don't know how to explain irl like I explained it here. "Hey doc, I had blood drawn here a few months ago and now have anxiety and panic attacks" I've had blood drawn there for years in the past. None of this makes sense.
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
140462 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:54 pm to
1mg Xanax twice a day
Posted by efrad
Member since Nov 2007
18645 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:57 pm to
quote:

Well, I've known my doctor for years. I just don't know how to explain irl like I explained it here. "Hey doc, I had blood drawn here a few months ago and now have anxiety and panic attacks" I've had blood drawn there for years in the past. None of this makes sense.



1. Go to a doctor
2. Say what you said here to the doctor
3. Get help from doctor
Posted by onelochevy
Slidell, LA
Member since Jan 2011
16534 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:57 pm to
I'm the exact same way with the medical stuff. As I've gotten older, my anxiety to needles has gotten really bad. My wife is in nursing school and I had no interest in letting her practice taking BP on me. There's no way in hell I could be in a class that practices putting IV's in each other. I hate the way I react around stuff like that. I wish I could go donate blood, or get a physical and blood work at the doctor without being stressed the frick out about it
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 3:58 pm to
quote:

You ever think about talking to a psychiatrist? Those are anxiety attacks that frick with your blood pressure. It is probably stress-related


Yea I've thought about it. My BP and HR have actually been excellent, which is odd. Even during anxiety it is good. Maybe psychiatrist can fix my problems without pills?
Posted by jlu03
San Diego
Member since Jul 2012
3320 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:00 pm to
quote:

1mg Xanax twice a day


This guy gets it
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:04 pm to
When you start getting all fricked up, your BP and heart rate are not good. If you think they are, your equipment needs to be calibrated.

Look up ways to deal with stress online. Work out, go on vacation, compete in something, etc. A doctor will also have other ways. If all else fails, meds will work
Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:05 pm to
quote:

1mg Xanax twice a day


Wife said that. Just worried how it would affect me doing clinicals and class. Plus I still work part time on ambulance while in class. I haven't been on it since all these problems started but will be on it in a few weeks.
Posted by efrad
Member since Nov 2007
18645 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:13 pm to
Do not fall into the hole of Xanax

Xanax is a short term band-aid for anxiety, and should never be used long term
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11426 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:13 pm to
Vasovagal...reasearch it.

I have had it for years. I can't watch blood be drawn from someone or have drawn from me.

Best of luck with it.





Posted by Whodat2105
Member since Oct 2016
14 posts
Posted on 10/23/16 at 4:16 pm to
quote:

Xanax is a short term band-aid for anxiety, and should never be used long term


I completely understand and don't want xanax either. I'm a call doctor Monday, wife has been begging me too. I just feel silly about all this. Hoping the problem gets better over time, maybe in dec when we go on semester break,hope I come back after feeling like my old self.
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