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Started By
Message
re: Having some anxiety issues, medical field related
Posted on 10/24/16 at 8:16 am to Whodat2105
Posted on 10/24/16 at 8:16 am to Whodat2105
OP, medic here for fire based ambulance dept. Basically I can be on fire truck one shift, ambulance the next, or rescue truck. Saying that so you'll know I understand your life although I take it you probably work for a privatized service. I read your OP yesterday and wanted to read the replies and get to an actual computer instead of using my phone to respond. First off, understand the the worst people to stick with needles are other healthcare professionals, including myself. Many can't handle being stuck but can stick you all day long. I wonder if you have possibly started experiencing burnout? Although I know you said you are only part time now since you are in nursing school.
I don't know much about nursing school but since you've spend most of your career on the ambulance that's how I can speak to you. There have been countless studies on how people in ems have high suicide, divorce rates, and burnout compared to other healthcare professions. Nurses, doctors, etc are in more controlled environments and have people around them usually pretty often that can help them cope with issues. EMS, your stuck on an ambulance and many times with a inexperienced emt. We always say it helps to cope to talk with coworkers but in reality our coworkers don't have a clue when one another are having issues.
I can see exactly how you can struggle taking this to a doctor. I'm normally laid back and after about 6 months non stop on ambulance started having really bad anger issues at home and even stopped doing anything with my own kids. This was back before our front office cared about burning medics out, that kinda stuff doesn't happen at my job anymore. I was put on a fire truck and my issues went away. Now we rotate alot better. My wife begged me also to see a doctor, but I refused and started to have regrets.
I do think that possible you'll get better after your semester break. Sounds like a bunch of shite happened at once at the perfect time that affected you psychologically in a huge amount and you just tried to cope and not fix the problem. Alot of good advice already in this thread. You've spent years taking care of others and felt like iron man, well, iron man needs a little fixing now, take care of yourself. Cut down on coffee and cokes, drink water. Maybe try compression socks to help with your jelly leg feeling. Your grades you say are good. Maybe have a day or 2 where you say frick studying and play outside with kids or look up football stuff all day. It will eventually get better, I've seen similar stories before, every medic, especially on a busy enough ambulance, breaks down at some point. I've seen some that even broke down after retirement. When people are at their most terrifying, stressful, mad, horrific moments and call ems, we get to be the first one's to walk in their home and say hello, it takes it's toll whether you realize it or not. Don't worry about the needles, if you do pass out, frick it. Get back up, get something to eat, and go back to work. I witnessed a PA fall out in Er once, it happens.
I don't know much about nursing school but since you've spend most of your career on the ambulance that's how I can speak to you. There have been countless studies on how people in ems have high suicide, divorce rates, and burnout compared to other healthcare professions. Nurses, doctors, etc are in more controlled environments and have people around them usually pretty often that can help them cope with issues. EMS, your stuck on an ambulance and many times with a inexperienced emt. We always say it helps to cope to talk with coworkers but in reality our coworkers don't have a clue when one another are having issues.
I can see exactly how you can struggle taking this to a doctor. I'm normally laid back and after about 6 months non stop on ambulance started having really bad anger issues at home and even stopped doing anything with my own kids. This was back before our front office cared about burning medics out, that kinda stuff doesn't happen at my job anymore. I was put on a fire truck and my issues went away. Now we rotate alot better. My wife begged me also to see a doctor, but I refused and started to have regrets.
I do think that possible you'll get better after your semester break. Sounds like a bunch of shite happened at once at the perfect time that affected you psychologically in a huge amount and you just tried to cope and not fix the problem. Alot of good advice already in this thread. You've spent years taking care of others and felt like iron man, well, iron man needs a little fixing now, take care of yourself. Cut down on coffee and cokes, drink water. Maybe try compression socks to help with your jelly leg feeling. Your grades you say are good. Maybe have a day or 2 where you say frick studying and play outside with kids or look up football stuff all day. It will eventually get better, I've seen similar stories before, every medic, especially on a busy enough ambulance, breaks down at some point. I've seen some that even broke down after retirement. When people are at their most terrifying, stressful, mad, horrific moments and call ems, we get to be the first one's to walk in their home and say hello, it takes it's toll whether you realize it or not. Don't worry about the needles, if you do pass out, frick it. Get back up, get something to eat, and go back to work. I witnessed a PA fall out in Er once, it happens.
0
Posted on 10/24/16 at 8:29 am to OWLFAN86
quote:What is wrong with you sometimes?
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 on 10/24/16 at 8:49 am to Whodat2105
Nothing like taking to an LSU sports board for medical advice...
Posted on 10/24/16 at 8:55 am to Jim Smith
quote:
Nothing like taking to an LSU sports board for medical advice
He didn't post it in The Rant page, plenty of medical folks post here. He has actually got solid advice and was able to do it anonymously.
Posted on 10/24/16 at 9:02 am to Whodat2105
Print what you typed take it to your doc
Posted on 10/24/16 at 9:07 am to Whodat2105
Go get yourself for anti anxiety meds.
I recommend going to a psychiatrist because they will do a much better job at prescribing the proper Ned and dose.
I doubt this will be permanent it is probably just from the stress of nursing school. You'll be fine.
Good luck
Ignore all the other bullshite suggested.
I recommend going to a psychiatrist because they will do a much better job at prescribing the proper Ned and dose.
I doubt this will be permanent it is probably just from the stress of nursing school. You'll be fine.
Good luck
Ignore all the other bullshite suggested.
Posted on 10/24/16 at 11:51 am to Whodat2105
I second the poster who said print out what you began with to give to the doctor. Or rewrite it to get your point across the way you want.
Anxiety is no joke, especially the way you describe. I have something similar. I've been a public presenter/speaker my whole career. Always got slightly nervous but nothing big. One day I had a panic attack while presenting and couldn't finish. Same thing happened the next day.
All of a sudden I couldn't even talk in a small team meeting without having a panic attack or getting very close. My life went to complete hell at that point because I didn't think I could function anymore.
I was desperate and started calling every shrink in the book. Lucky me, nobody was taking appointments for new patients for the next month or two. Then a miracle (at least to me) happened and a psychiatrist I called had a cancellation the next week.
I wrote out a description of what was happening and the triggers. When speaking causes you to panic, a meeting to talk about your issues is not something to look forward to. My doctor was great and put me at ease.
The doctor put me on Lexapro and gave me a Xanax script. We started with 10 pills a month at 0.5mg to use when I knew I was going to present. Long story short, after about a month my day to day anxiety was completely gone. Talking (not presenting) in meetings was no longer an issue. When I knew I was going to present, I would take 2 or 3 Xanax (1.0 to 1.5mg total) and I was fine. Actually, because I was no longer nervous at all I was better than fine.
Since then, I've twice tried to come off of Lexapro and just use Xanax when I need it. Everything was good for a month or two and then anxiety crept back in and I morphed back into the wreck I was. I just accept that I need it to function in my work environment.
In my opinion, Xanax is a wonderful drug for my situation. I switched jobs a year and a half ago. I still do the same thing I did before, but my public presentations have gone from weekly to about 3 every two months (it's usually 3 meetings in one week, then repeat two months later). For that, Xanax is great and has really helped me.
There is a downside. It's highly addicting. My understanding is that if used daily, you will need to up your dosage over time to get the same impact. It does make me sleepy which is bad in a full day meeting. I can deal with that using a 5 hour energy or coffee. For one week 6 to 7 times a year it's no big deal. However, I don't think I could handle that all of the time.
My point, I think Xanax is great to deal with random episodes. Whether it's scheduled meetings or events that trigger you or a panic attack out of the blue. I don't think it would be ideal to be a day to day coping mechanism if there are other options (and there are people that need it just to go to the store to get food).
I would rather not be on Lexapro. Side effects are not a big deal after you get used to it for me. But I do hate the idea of relying on a pill to feel "normal" every day. But it allows me to do a job I like and I'm good at that rewards me fairly well so I accept it.
Talk to a doctor. Maybe you need a pill like Lexapro to get you through a rough year or two and then you're done. That works for many people. Maybe you'll need it longer. When I talked with a doctor about getting off "just because I don't like it" he disagreed. He said medicine is there to help you. If you need the help and it makes your life better, then you should take it. But it's a personal decision.
Talk to people about it. This was the toughest thing for me. I felt weak because I was scared to do something everybody around me did for a living with no problem. So I kept it in. Over time, I've told some people the whole story and it made me feel less isolated. I'm also now very open with everyone that public presentations are far from my favorite thing. It's amazing how much of the stress it takes off when it's not a big dark secret. I don't tell many people I'm on Lexapro and nobody at my meetings know I take Xanax.
Last advice is take good care of yourself. In this case, follow my words and not my actions! Exercise routinely. Eat better. Cut out/back on caffeine and alcohol. Get enough sleep every night. Try meditation and natural supplements talked about in the thread. A rigorous workout early in the day will release adrenaline and improve your mood, making panic attacks less likely.
Good luck. Where you are is a very scary place. I know because I've been there. Just know that many people have dealt with this issue and there are a variety of ways to take care of it. It's not incurable and you don't have to suffer much longer. Confront it head on and your situation will improve.
Anxiety is no joke, especially the way you describe. I have something similar. I've been a public presenter/speaker my whole career. Always got slightly nervous but nothing big. One day I had a panic attack while presenting and couldn't finish. Same thing happened the next day.
All of a sudden I couldn't even talk in a small team meeting without having a panic attack or getting very close. My life went to complete hell at that point because I didn't think I could function anymore.
I was desperate and started calling every shrink in the book. Lucky me, nobody was taking appointments for new patients for the next month or two. Then a miracle (at least to me) happened and a psychiatrist I called had a cancellation the next week.
I wrote out a description of what was happening and the triggers. When speaking causes you to panic, a meeting to talk about your issues is not something to look forward to. My doctor was great and put me at ease.
The doctor put me on Lexapro and gave me a Xanax script. We started with 10 pills a month at 0.5mg to use when I knew I was going to present. Long story short, after about a month my day to day anxiety was completely gone. Talking (not presenting) in meetings was no longer an issue. When I knew I was going to present, I would take 2 or 3 Xanax (1.0 to 1.5mg total) and I was fine. Actually, because I was no longer nervous at all I was better than fine.
Since then, I've twice tried to come off of Lexapro and just use Xanax when I need it. Everything was good for a month or two and then anxiety crept back in and I morphed back into the wreck I was. I just accept that I need it to function in my work environment.
In my opinion, Xanax is a wonderful drug for my situation. I switched jobs a year and a half ago. I still do the same thing I did before, but my public presentations have gone from weekly to about 3 every two months (it's usually 3 meetings in one week, then repeat two months later). For that, Xanax is great and has really helped me.
There is a downside. It's highly addicting. My understanding is that if used daily, you will need to up your dosage over time to get the same impact. It does make me sleepy which is bad in a full day meeting. I can deal with that using a 5 hour energy or coffee. For one week 6 to 7 times a year it's no big deal. However, I don't think I could handle that all of the time.
My point, I think Xanax is great to deal with random episodes. Whether it's scheduled meetings or events that trigger you or a panic attack out of the blue. I don't think it would be ideal to be a day to day coping mechanism if there are other options (and there are people that need it just to go to the store to get food).
I would rather not be on Lexapro. Side effects are not a big deal after you get used to it for me. But I do hate the idea of relying on a pill to feel "normal" every day. But it allows me to do a job I like and I'm good at that rewards me fairly well so I accept it.
Talk to a doctor. Maybe you need a pill like Lexapro to get you through a rough year or two and then you're done. That works for many people. Maybe you'll need it longer. When I talked with a doctor about getting off "just because I don't like it" he disagreed. He said medicine is there to help you. If you need the help and it makes your life better, then you should take it. But it's a personal decision.
Talk to people about it. This was the toughest thing for me. I felt weak because I was scared to do something everybody around me did for a living with no problem. So I kept it in. Over time, I've told some people the whole story and it made me feel less isolated. I'm also now very open with everyone that public presentations are far from my favorite thing. It's amazing how much of the stress it takes off when it's not a big dark secret. I don't tell many people I'm on Lexapro and nobody at my meetings know I take Xanax.
Last advice is take good care of yourself. In this case, follow my words and not my actions! Exercise routinely. Eat better. Cut out/back on caffeine and alcohol. Get enough sleep every night. Try meditation and natural supplements talked about in the thread. A rigorous workout early in the day will release adrenaline and improve your mood, making panic attacks less likely.
Good luck. Where you are is a very scary place. I know because I've been there. Just know that many people have dealt with this issue and there are a variety of ways to take care of it. It's not incurable and you don't have to suffer much longer. Confront it head on and your situation will improve.
Posted on 10/24/16 at 12:22 pm to Dave Worth
Many people in ems/fire/police have to be on some type of depression or anxiety med at some point. I have a repeat customer (not affiliated with those type careers) who told me he took xanax for a month prior to his wedding. He dreaded so much doing the wedding in front of a big crowd. After wedding, got off and hasn't had issues since. I've known guys I work with on some type of med like those for weeks, months, or a year. OP most people can get off of it at some point. More than likely you will, this isn't some issue you've dealt with your entire life. Its a freak thing, or maybe just a bunch of small shite that compounded into one big arse problem, who knows. Talk to a dr, if you have to get on meds till semester break do it, then see how you are coming off break. Maybe you have to stay on meds the entire nursing program and then afterwards you are like your old self again.
Our medical director straight up told a few of us one time after talking to shift about depression. When most of people left a few stayed talking to him. He stated, he knows several doctors that he's talked to, and we'd be absolutely astonished at how many of our employees at fire dept are battling depression/anxiety. He said fire/ems/police can hide those issues from general public better than anybody else out there.
Our medical director straight up told a few of us one time after talking to shift about depression. When most of people left a few stayed talking to him. He stated, he knows several doctors that he's talked to, and we'd be absolutely astonished at how many of our employees at fire dept are battling depression/anxiety. He said fire/ems/police can hide those issues from general public better than anybody else out there.
This post was edited on 10/24/16 at 12:24 pm
Posted on 10/24/16 at 12:29 pm to Whodat2105
I've been in the medical field for 10+ years. I had anxiety not related to the medical field. I take Lexapro 1 time a day and it does not affect me at work. You might try that one first.
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