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Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 303
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxxxcrystalxxxx
Hi Mark,
I work in Cardiology and it's a stressful job however the walking helped me deal with that stress. I've been out of work so my stress is minimized. I was also training for the warrior dash which is an obstacle course. On top of that I had quit smoking so walking was a great help. My biggest stressor is my injury. I have more bad days than good and it's frustrating. I go for my physc testing next Monday.
My doctor says I should be back to work in no time...that is so funny to me because the thought of working scares the heck out of me and my anxiety spikes. I was working up to ten hours a day and seeing at least 25 patients a day.
The occupational MD cleared me to go back a week and half after my injury and I did. It was so bad. I cringe when I think about how bad I felt. I want to go back so I feel "normal" again (ha ha ha) but then I realize I'm not who I was before the accident. I was called the energizer bunny and a multi tasking queen. That person left twelve weeks ago. Now I'm dealing with the anxiety and the anger but probably not doing such a good job. My MD tried to give me Ativan but I said no. I'm on the fence now.
I feel lost sometimes and my wonderful husband is supportive but has said he doesn't know how to help me. He knows I'm not dealing with the changes in me very well and he hates to see me in pain on a daily bases.
I think I am my own worst enemy right now and the stress is internal...
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I completely understand!!! I did pretty much the same thing as you....went back to work in the ICU after 3 weeks and felt like i was gonna die by the end of 1 week. I am the energizer bunny on the unit, always high on life, never needed coffee, could do 5 things at once. And that person has been gone for 6 months now. Its hard to accept that you arent normal and that this post-accident person is the new you. Its 100% anxiety ridden and causes anger...absolutely! I see a therapist to help deal with all these emotions and stress. It has been a big help. Maybe try and see if talking with someone helps to work through this loss of your old self.
Just as a side note, i tried to go back to 12 hour nights at my 14 week mark, and lasted 2 months in incredible pain and exhaustion and my neurologist had an intervention and pulled me out of work again for the next 3 months. She said that i cant go from 0 to 60 and expect to continue to heal. So maybe going back to 10 hour shifts is not the best thing right away, but maybe a slow gradual return would help. Sadly, for me this means i wont be going back to my ICU (no 8 hour shifts there), so i will be using our employee assistance program to find a temporary position in january when i am cleared to go back and work there until im well enough to work a 12 hour shift again. Just something to think about and discuss with your neurologist or your occ health program. Good luck to you, hoping you have a pain free day!
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Suffered a TBI with PCS on April 25th 2011 from multiple blows to the head from falling, unconscious for 12 hours with no memory of event. Hit the back of my head, and above right eye. MRI and CT negative. Symptoms included constant headaches (migraine, pressure, tension, icepicks), dizziness, tinnitus, visual changes, photophobia, fatigue, "spacing out", word finding difficulties, depression, and emotional lability.
Began Healing in November 2011 after starting acupuncture and Healing Touch (a nurturing energy therapy that promotes relaxation and pain relief). I went back to work in February 2012. Ive been symptom free since July 2012. Very happy, positive, energetic and working out every day, doing yoga, and living a normal life again!
I also began taking Healing Touch classes in November 2011 and completed 5 Levels of Healing Touch Certificate Program that included a 1 year mentorship to become a Healing Touch International Practitioner in June 2013. I am so pleased to offer this wonderful healing therapy to my patients, friends, and clients.
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