This has me stumped; this is for medical experts, must read all?

Question

After I began nursing school, one evening I received a phone call. My aunt had passed away.. The next day I went into work, and was preparing for a difficult procedure. Suddenly out of nowhere I felt hot and dizzy. My legs felt weak and I felt like I was going to fall over (I called it vertigo, but the fact is the room wasn’t spinning – simply the best way to describe the feeling I was getting at the time). I had to leave early from work and I went to see my physician, he placed me on an antimetic / motion sickness medication. He sent me to see an ENT physician who sent me to see a neurologist. Before I went to the neurologist, the semester ended and so did the vertigo. After several semesters, I began to see a trend – semester started vertigo started. During graduation, I had an acute reaction and was afraid I would fall on stage. It will be 3 years this June and I have not been able to relieve my symptoms completely. I feel it when I get worried, go to the grocery store (around lots of people), or prepare for surgery. I cannot stand without a crutch (such as a table or stand of some sort) for very long. At first I thought I had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (which I have not ruled out), I even thought that I had a tumor in my auditory canal. I have always been a perfectionist. After studying psychiatric nursing , and three psych classes, I discovered that I might have developed a conversion disorder secondary to a mild form of OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Personality traits. This condition may have reacted from the stress of my aunt passing away. Currently – I got a new job in the intensive care unit and the vertigo has returned with vengeance. I now have a new way to describe my condition, it is a lack of coordination / off balance feeling. Can anyone tell me if they know what his could be, it has me stumped.

Answer 1

This sounds like a stress-induced reaction. It is a form of a "Panic Attack". Give me a sec to see if I can find you a link about it.

Here is doctor that specializes in it. I am putting up the link not so you can go to him, but for you to read the definition of it.

http://www.pjapsych.com.au/?id=43

There are a number of medications that a doctor can use to help treat this:

Vestibular suppressants and benzodiazepines most frequently are used to treat dizziness that is associated with anxiety disorder, but these medications provide only transient or inadequate relief. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft) may provide better relief.

You are working in a high stress environment and you are not alone with this condition. Help is out there. Good luck.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050315/1115.html

Answer 2

It sounds psychological. There is a theory that when a trauma happens, physical or psychological, that person is in a state susceptible to suggestion - WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY TO YOU WHILE YOU WERE MOURNING FOR YOUR AUNT? The mind would take anything said by anyone literally.

You might try Dianetic therapy - which is not to be confused with the Scientology Religion. In any case, you need some sort of psychological therapy.

Answer 3

wow, sounds like you a lot of anxiety, maybe panic attacks. you should get a second opinion and then to see a qualified psychiatrist to evaluate you. I don't see an OCD personality causing these symptoms even though you say you are a perfectionist. Your perfectionism probably has nothing to do with your symptoms. You get nervous when you are in stressful situations. You need to learn how to deal with stress and new environments.

Answer 4

I have this very thing! It has been diagnosed in me as an Anxiety Disorder and I use Ativan as needed. It comes and goes and I too have never been able to eliminate it. MS was suspected in me but ruled out, as was vertigo (the most common ailment diagnosed). The VA hospital has effectively treated me and the occasional meds have decreased the severity and the duration of the disorder if you will. Good luck!

Answer 5

You must be nuts! YOU are working in an ICU and experiencing these symptoms. Sound to me like you need to see a psychiatrist immediately.

And for God's sake and the sake of patients get the hell into a part of nursing where you do not have patient contact.

This scares the hell outta me! YOU are a danger to patients!

Answer 6

Try getting your Dr to prescribe an anti-anxielitic medication. It seems clear from your scenario that your problem is stress/anxiety related.

Answer 7

it sounds like a bad case of stress. I recommend taking a week off to the Bahamas to get yourself straight. another good idea is to get a Hobie or something to channel your stress into. take up a contact sport karate or kick boxing.


Hope it helps

Answer 8

Have you been tested for Lou Gehrigs disease.My mother's boss had it when I was young.My mom said that he kept getting off balance and falling in the office.He went to the doctor and they said he had the disease.It starts by weakening the muscles.

Answer 9

I did read the whole thing,but i am sorry i have no idea what it could be,I am sorry to hear all this.You probley want to consider seeing a specialist for this.
I wish you all the best.
good luck
get better soon buddy.

Answer 10

LOL dude, its called nerves, your in the totally wrong profession. You should try being a dog breeder. Just relax and remeber that you are there to take care of these patients, and if your going to be sick all the time, you won't really be there for them. something to think about.