RGLJ Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Being new to this forum, I hesitated to post this here, but then I figured, what the hell!? Lol! Long story short: I am a new EMT-B, starting medic school in the fall (don't panic, I was an MA and radiology tech in my pre-EMS life lol!) I lost my husband in a car accident five years ago, when our daughter was five months old; I tell you this because I think it plays into the way I am feeling right now. Last Tuesday night, I went into acute respiratory failure following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. I was on my front porch when it happened, and the rural vollie department I work with picked me up. I had my friends and colleagues doing CPR, and all that goes along with it, on the way to the hospital, then I was flown to a major hospital in our area. I woke up in the ICU with an ET tube down my throat, etc., etc. The ET tube hurt terribly, but not as badly as when they suctioned my lungs. (May I never feel that kind of pain and panic again...) I was "awake" on the vent (although loaded with various "chill out" drugs =/ and remember pieces and parts, feelings, thoughts, sounds, people, etc. I am home now, on seizure meds, liver enzymes all whacked out, but feeling better. I don't even know that I have a question here, I just needed to get this all off my chest. I have been in the hospital before, even on a vent before (many years ago, but I don't remember much of it at all, unlike this time), but this just...freaked me out. I can't stop thinking about the parts I remember, and I feel sick when I look at the ruts in my yard from the rigs. My department was awesome; they visited me in the hospital, sat with my family, called, took care of my house, etc.; we joke now about the chief (who has quickly become like a father-figure to me) finally yelling "Get her in the f*$king ambulance!!" after realizing I was the one down, lol! (Our chief is a big teddy bear of a guy and pretty laid back, but when shit needs done...he gets it done!) I went on my first call yesteday since being back home, and it went really well. However...I am not sure if this is like a delayed reaction to the stress of what happened or what. I don't sleep well, I'm nervous, irritable, restless, etc. The only saving grace was that my daughter was staying the night with my mom that night, but for a while no one knew that, so there was a search started for her until they found out where she was. I guess it drove home the realization that I am all my daughter has left of her parents, and I am, simply, freaked out. I definitely wasn't expecting to go from being the EMT to the patient! If you've gotten this far in my novel, I thank you! =) I don't know what I am looking for, just a place to vent I guess, so thank you for letting me, and for listening! With respect, Meghan
Eydawn Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 It's always different to be on the other side of the patient care relationship, no joke. The personal side forum is exactly the place for stuff like this. So, have you considered seeing a psychologist to help deal with the post-traumatic stress (reaction, if it's recent, disorder if it's been going on for a while) that is messing with your sleep and such? This was a pretty significantly crazy event that happened to you! Do you know what caused it/feel comfortable sharing? Welcome to the City... may your next ambulance be one you are driving or providing care from, not riding in! Wendy CO EMT-B RN-ADN Student
emtdennis Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Hey there, Definitely followup with a professional that you can confide in, it does work!! Glad to hear you are on this side of that issue and hope all works out for you, hang in there and keep in touch. Just my .25
DwayneEMTP Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Welcome to the City. Man, what a shitty story. I'm with Eydawn, it sounds like you need to speak to a professional about the issues that you're having, and sooner rather than later. Also, and I hate to add this to the mix, but perhaps sooner is also better than later... having a seizure may effect your ability to be an EMT and/or Paramedic for a while. We had a member here who was unable to get his cert back until he could prove 5 years seizure free after having a medication induced siezure. That was a Florida EMT, so it might be different where you are. I'm truly not trying to be a downer, but also don't want to take a chance on this sneaking up on you if it is an issue. Good on you for medic school! What do they believe caused the seizure?
Kiwiology Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Dude get help otherwise you are going to end up like me, with extensive mental damage and getting wasted on valium and painkillers to numb the blinding pain
nypamedic43 Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Are you talking about last week tuesday or just this past tuesday...like 2 days ago? Either way being back on an ambulance so soon is a bit fishy to me. Sorry to be suspicious but recent past events on this board has led me to be suspicious of anyone with this kind of story. I gotta throw the BS flag here....if I'm wrong I will wholeheartedly apologize. If not..well...... 1
chbare Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 From respiratory failure, seizures, CPR and being flown to a major hospital where you were on a ventilator to taking EMS calls in a week? Perhaps I am misreading something here, but I am having a difficult time digesting this story. 1
rat115 Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Hard to believe that you had this happen and you're running calls this soon. Most places, you loose you DL for up to a year for a seizure so that it's proven that the anti-seizure meds are effective. Only time I've heard of a seizure pt not losing his DL was a PNES pt, and he should STILL lose it IMO. Either way, you need to seek professional help dealing with issues. 1
RGLJ Posted June 29, 2012 Author Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Hmmm...well thanks for the postive posts! And to the digressors...here is the story as I know it. The seizure was documented as being due to dehydration, potassium in the toliet. I was having "seizure activity" in the squad and outlying hospital before being flown to the Level 1 hospital, and seizure-type activity in the chopper. Neuro docs there reported it as "probable status eptilepticus". I was on my front porch feeling like shit and the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital on the vent. It is estimated that I was alone and unconcious for 2 hours before being discovered. I do not know why I was in respiratory failure, other than that I have asthma and it was exacerbated during this event. I was admitted June 19, released June 23. I had no other seizure activity while admitted, even off seizure meds. Electrolytes back to normal upon discharge, officially off all seizure meds as of today, per doctor recheck. Normal EEG, CT of brain. Yes, I went on a call via my volunteer department a week after being admitted. How and why? I don't know what to tell you, other than I am not a person that takes to being idle well, I am stubborn and bullheaded at times, and I have a crew that is like family to me. Yes, I am keeping better hydrated and eating better, yes, I am resting when I can, yes, I am back to my summer A & P class. I have had family staying with me since the incident to help, and I am now back to chasing my daughter around and living (and loving!) my life. If anyone wants to call this "shit", so be it. I don't lie and I am not looking for pity or whatever else anyone may think. I came on a professional forum, whose members I respect, to get advice on an issue. I am not a teen or twenty-something looking to make stupid shit up. If you wold like copies of my medical records from the 19th feel free to ask. There has been no talk of losing any privledges to date, and I have met several times with our fire/EMS chief and am cleared to continue on calls. I am an outgoing, upbeat, friendly person who knows what she wants and am willing to work my ass off to get it. I agree, talking to someone about the PTSD-type symptoms will help and will be acted upon accordingly. Also, anyone wondering if my husband did die, I would be happy to send you the coronors report and a picture of our child. I truly understand that people "troll" forums and post stupid shit, but I assure you, I am not one of them. Take all this information as you will, I will continue to read the very informative and helpful topics in the "city"; I just might think twice about starting my own thread in the future. I am who I am, take it or leave it. Thanks for listening. Very Sincerely, Meghan Edited June 29, 2012 by RGLJ
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