medicgirl05

What is an OWI? Here in Tx we have a DWI which I'm assuming is the equivalent....just wondering what the O stands for. I can't speak for your state, I would recommend contacting your state liscensing agency for exact answers. Here in Tx the problem you would encounter would be driving. There are not a lot of places that would insure you. That being said, you could find a tech job in an ER and there are a few private places who would hire you as a paramedic that didn't drive.

How bad is it that I didn't catch the error until after reading Artick's post? I was reading it and thought wow he must be on the wrong thread. Thanks for the laugh!

The more comfortable you are with your skills and knowledge base the less anxiety you will feel. Also, time and experience will lessen anxiety somewhat... In my experience a certain level of anxiety in EMS should be expected and is a good thing. You are making big decisions for people in some circumstances and you need to realize the consequences of those decisions.

We used to have a luncheon at a local business place once a year where all emergency personnel were honored. It made me uncomfortable to be recognized for the job that I do. Most of my problem is that I hate some questions people ask. One of which is "What's the worst thing you've ever seen?" Why would anyone think I want to relive the worst thing I ever saw?

I have to agree that the hardest part about death for me is notification. I think that may be my least favorite part of the job...It is so hard to tell someone that their husband of 60 years is dead...or their child committed suicide... You never know how a family will react...some get violent, some get angry, some blame us, and some are just sad and thankful that we came. You can never know how family will take the news and that is very hard to adjust to. The first time I told someone about a death I thought it would get easier to do with time, 7 years later I am learning that it doesn't get easier, at least in my experience.

When asked if I enjoy my job I usually respond with "I LOVE my job." There are times though when I seriously question if I am cut out for it...After you try multiple times to help a person and they wind up succeeding in their suicide attempt, or after telling someone that despite our best attempts their loved one is dead, or when you get back to the office after an especially gruesome trauma.... I wonder if I am in the wrong field...maybe I should be looking into a new career...maybe I am just not cut out for EMS...I have been in EMS for 7 years now...is this a feeling that will always come and go? Is it something I should be concerned with? Does anyone else ever wonder if they are doing the right thing? If so, is there anything that helps you to know that EMS is for you? Thanks!

The death count has risen to 14. The truck is mangled. Crazy stuff. Definetely something you don't see every day.

Wow. I have had several private chats with Lotus and was quite concerned about her. I really hope she isn't playing on our sympathy. I agree that it doesn't sound legit now but I would hope that a person wouldn't sink that low. I hope someone gets to the bottom of it all.

Well it turns out that I was having sciatic nerve impingement due to swelling that was causing the spasms. They put me on anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers to help that, which worked. Now I just get to sit around for at least 4 more weeks and do nothing. It sounds fun in theory but it actually stinks. I never thought I'd be so ready to go to work.

Hey guys, I am having a back problem and am looking for any advice I can find. I have asked everyone I can think of but nobody has been very helpful. So here it is, I fell off a horse about 5 days ago. I immediately experienced severe back pain. As soon as I caught my breathe I tried to stand up and "walk it off" but was only able to walk about 10 steps before I laid back down from fear of passing out. Anyway I managed to get myself to the ER. After lots of struggles, apparently the dr was in a bad mood, they did a CT scan that showed a very mild compression fracture of L1 and an endplate fracture of T12. They didn't do any other testing or imaging and the doctor neer even touched me. I was admitted overnight for pain control and because my BP got down to 80 over with no apparent cause. I have now seen 3 different doctors who have all given me different recovery times, from 2 weeks to 6 months. They all had different suggestions of what I should do. I have been to physical therapy twice now and have learned that my severe pain is from muscle spasms. The first day at therapy they broke most of the spasms and I felt great. The second day was horrible. It seemed like the massaging created more spasms. Two thereapists tried to massage them out with no success. All they accomplished was creating major bruising down my butt. My spasms start in my lower back and go down my right butt cheek. They are so bad in my cheek that I can not stand to sit. Sometimes my leg just quivers. I am unsure of why I'm having spasms in just one side of my butt. I can't seem to find a comfortable position. I can't sleep more than two hours. They prescribed me Cataflam, (I refused the narcs because I don't like feeling loopy) which I quit taking 3 days ago because it doesn't seem to help. I also have Valium which I take at night with the hopes of sleeping, not effective though. I am hoping someone can give me a little advice on comfortable positions, recovery time, anything I should be doing to help the recovery time, or maybe seeking another opinion? I have a follow up with my primary care physician on Monday. Any help will be greatly appreciated! This pain is unbearable!!! Thanks in advance!

We carry about 30 meds with only 2 being narcotics in a small rural town in south Texas. I also have GREAT medical directors who I can contact any time day or night without pissing them off. As long as I present my patient and situation in a way that demonstrates I know what I'm doing they would probably approve anything. When I became a medic they showed up on some bad scenes until I think they decided I was competent.

IM phenergan has an onset time of 20 minutes where the IV route has a 5 minute onset. We did not have protocols to give it IM. Protocols advised to give 12.5 slow IV push initially, followed with another 12.5 if N/V continued.

I work a full time and a part time job. My advise is this-always put your full time job first. If you feel yourself getting stressed or burned out cut back on the hours of your part time job. Your full time job is your bread and butter, appreciate that.

Horses! One month a year I am a counselor at a kids horse camp. It is the highlight of my year. If I could make a career out of it I may seriously consider it.

I do not even attempt to intubate most cardiac arrest patients. Due to limited resources and a lack of evidence showing intubation as a superior method of airway management in a prehospital environment I choose to use my resources in other ways. I have had one save, we found the patient in V-fib and after 3 or 4 defibrillations he had ROSC, now he rides his bike around town daily...he was never intubated and suffered no ill effects.

As a woman I can say it doesn't bother me one bit. I am a member of a womens only gym. Same thing to an extent right? If it is private then the members should be able to decide what they want, IMO. Dwayne- Don't be a tease! ;-)

We used to carry Phenergan and I loved it but the local ER's didn't. They were concerned about necrosis from infiltration if not given correctly. We now carry Zofran but I haven't used it yet.