[mattsmom81]

Originally Posted by Severina

Dang!
what state do you live in??!! Remind me to never move there.
I live in Michigan and no one has ever inquired as to my mental health background. I think that is discriminatory. Do they inquire as to physical limitations as well? I think I would be writing to them and/or my state congress about that. Thats horrendous!

Severina

Texas every 2 yrs renewal asks about 'any physical or psychological history that may interfere with your duty to patients..blah blah". (paraphrased)

Also just moved to Washington state and they ask too. Of course I am likely taking this too literally...and probably worrying too much. To me, even nurses are entitled to protected health information and even their asking smacks of HIPAA. I imagine they feel they have a pressing 'need to know' to protect the public and this is how they would defend themselves if challenged...

Do not all states ask this?? I guess I worry if I say 'NO" and someone finds out I'm on an antidepressant it will open up a can of worms with the BON...but part of my problem at present is I worry about EVERYTHING...LOL!

I've lived in an employment at will state for over 20 yrs. Hospitals ask all kinds of questions RT physical and mental health as well, (usually in the guise of employee health) and of course they don't have to disclose WHY they are leting you go, you can be discharged for any reason ior no reason. So it becomes a Catch 22 there too.

[mattsmom81]

Originally Posted by kitkat55

i suffer from depression...had a horrendous marriage...and being out of that...it is now my own profession exacerbates it...feel free to p.m. me any time...it's been a long battle....

Boy I hear ya...and feel the same way. Wondering if I have PTSD from some of the craziness in this profession.

But I stick with it, its my livelihood and I stubbornly refuse to 'let it beat me'.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by mattsmom81

Texas every 2 yrs renewal asks about 'any physical or psychological history that may interfere with your duty to patients..blah blah". (paraphrased)

Also just moved to Washington state and they ask too. Of course I am likely taking this too literally...and probably worrying too much.

I called the (I think) ADA when I started my last job (Maine). They said that I did have to disclose to employee health what meds I am on and dx. But that the hospital isn't allowed to discriminate based on mental illness.

But how could you prove that they did not, if they don't disclose the reason you (anyone) were let go.

Another thing - you can apply for unemployment insurance, don't they have to disclose why you were fired in that instance?

[CelticBombshell]

[FONT=Garamond]I am currently trying to get a Decletary Order so that i can even get into nursing school. I kinda understant that they would like to know if you are gonna frak out an dmaybe be a danger to your self and your patients but i also feel that it sucks because i am lumped in woth the convicts and criminals in having to get this order.

I have just found out that I have PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrom and i feel that it is causing my mental health to deteriorate more so than if i were just bipolar b/c both ahve the same symtomology. I also have a pain in my side that i've had for 6 months and the doctors keep giving me all the diagnostic tests over and over again to rule out galstones ect. but everything turns out normal except i have high triglycerides and ldl as well as a fatty liver and a 18mm cyst on my left ovary. The only reason i mention this is that i have always been a mother by nature, i want to be a midwife, have kids ect and it is really trying on me that i might have problems with my reproductive system. Also my fathers mother died from ovarian cancer and had her right ovary removed at my age, she went on to have 2 children but still it's a worry and i feel like i am at the end of my rope. They keep giving me pain killers to help with the pain but i can't work while i'm on them b/c i can't drive to work, and if i don;t take them i am in so much pain i cannot concentrait, 7,8,9, and 10 on a scale of 1 - 10 with out oain pills, varying by if i'm active. I have been running a fever for almost the whole time but the doc's don't seem to think it's a factor b/c i normally run about 96 and have been running only about 99 to 100 still in the normal range but really high for me. any ideas on what to do to deal. I feel like i'm gonna have a nervous break down if i don't find out what is going on with me. I want to excercise b/c I know that it would help both my biploar and PCOS if i were lighter but the pain makes it impossible and i don't want to have to rely on pain killers for ever. If anyone has anyideas please pm me or just post

Celticbombshell [/font]

[Lady Fingers]

All I can say is good luck to you honey.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by CelticBombshell

[FONT=Garamond]I am currently trying to get a Decletary Order so that i can even get into nursing school. I kinda understant that they would like to know if you are gonna frak out an dmaybe be a danger to your self and your patients but i also feel that it sucks because i am lumped in woth the convicts and criminals in having to get this order.
If anyone has anyideas please pm me or just post [/font]

***
Why do you need that Decletary Order? What is it?

If it was me, I would PRAY, and get some other people praying FOR me. But that's me, I don't know if you can use that sort of advice.

Then I would look at priorities, number one of course is your health, #2 your job and or school (unless you have a family, in which case perhaps that is number 2). So you have to get your health in order first. Do you have short term disability at work or anything? Sick time?

So have you had a laparoscopy or ultrasound or anything like that? (be quicker to say "what have they done") Have they checked your blood work for like white cells and such? Are you having abnormal periods? Could going on the pill help maybe? (after they rule everything out of course).

Sounds like an EXTREMELY tough situation, there's a nasty spiritual law that says "there's a reason for everything," yuck, I hate it too, LOL! But sometimes things we want don't work out simply because God wants us somewhere else!

There's another that's equally grievous, "[God/Spirit] won't give you more than you can handle." I would add to that expression: He won't give you more than you can handle, but He DOESN'T EXPECT YOU TO HANDLE IT ALL ALONE!" You can call on family, friends, social agencies, support groups (just pick one), whatever you call God. Even simple stress management like deep breathing can help you get through tough moments.

Anyway - hope you keep posting and keep us up to date on your situation -

[snowconemouth]

[quote=Severina]I was just wondering if there are any other nurses who struggle with mental illness. It seems to be one disability that is met with little tolerance and support in the medical field. I do have major co-morbid mental illness, Major depression/PTSD/DID, and have had many problems in my career. I have been in therapy and on meds for a long time and have worked very hard to be functional...

I was diagnosed in 1991 with PTSD/Major Depressive D/O. Wellbutrin and therapy have gotten me to where I am today. I live with my depression but it doesn't over take me anymore. If I need to I am able to give in to it and have sad days on my days off but I am able to pull it together when I work. I am lucky enough to work 32 hrs/week by doing 2 days of 16 hr shifts and am able to stay home 5 days/week.

Depression is like back pain - it's invisible and peers often think we are making more of it than there is. I try to educate them. I find that I have so much more empathy for my residents who are depressed.

Kathe

"There are some things in my life I'll never understand, But they become the force. That makes me who I am..." MLE

[nancynurse05]

For a long time antidepressants were for acute depression. The mental health and medical field have finally opened their eyes to the fact that chronic depression is a very viable condition. I have been on Effexor for 12 years, before that it was Prozac and Wellbutrin. I have come to accept the fact that I will always take meds and I don't really think about it anymore. The only drawback that makes me hesitate is the fact that I gained 65 lbs. on Effexor and can't get it off. You know what? I would rather be fat and happy than skinny and suicidal.

[wannalearn]

Originally Posted by ICUsleep

Hi, Trulie.julie!
Please don't stop taking your meds! At most schools you need to let them know what meds you are on for safety reasons (your own, mostly, ie; if something should happen to you they need to know your med history so they know how to help you/what not to give you in the case of an emergency).

As far as drug tests, I'd like to tell you that these things won't turn up in your urine, but it really depends on what your school tests for. I have NEVER heard of drug screening so comprehensive as to look for antidepressants.I can't imagine how expensive that would be for the school and students. Drug tests are usually 5 panel; they look for marijuana, cocaine/amphetamines, opiods, PCP, and barbiturates. If you aren't doing any of these, I wouldn't worry about the drug test. Some of the tests DO test for benzos...frankly, I'm not sure Ativan would show up, but if it does, you have a script for it, so no problem.
I took my drug screen test for nursing school 2 days after taking Xanax and Vicoden. Apparently they didn't show up, but they also weren't high doses, and I did have prescriptions for both.
We are supposed to inform our school of meds we are taking, but I have not had the balls to tell them I take Xanax. It is probably not a big deal to tell them, but unfortunately Xanax is so demonized nowadays. I just don't want to call attention to myself...I'm sure I wouldn't be the only person in our class to be taking Xanax, but I just can't bring myself to let the school know. I figure if I take it and I'm fine, then why tell them? I know that contradicts a lot of what I wrote earlier. Apparently, I am better at giving advice than taking it. It is sad that only some health conditions are "acceptable" and that others remain hidden for fear of persecution. Everyone working in health care should know better, but for some reason mental illness is still judged so harshly even in the health care industry.

You can call your state nursing board (anonymously) and ask what drugs are tested for and what conditions might prevent you from sitting for boards in your state. You wouldn't want to go through nursing school, only to find that your illness would prevent you from sitting for the exam. I called the Texas state board, after days of agonizing when I read on their web site that mental illness can prevent you from getting your license. The nurse that I spoke with when I called was super nice, never asked for my name, and assured me that OCD would not be a problem at all - as far as taking the exam goes! Anyway, this was a great relief for me. Hope it works for you.

[wannalearn]

Originally Posted by CelticBombshell

[FONT=Garamond]I am currently trying to get a Decletary Order so that i can even get into nursing school. I kinda understant that they would like to know if you are gonna frak out an dmaybe be a danger to your self and your patients but i also feel that it sucks because i am lumped in woth the convicts and criminals in having to get this order.

I have just found out that I have PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrom and i feel that it is causing my mental health to deteriorate more so than if i were just bipolar b/c both ahve the same symtomology. I also have a pain in my side that i've had for 6 months and the doctors keep giving me all the diagnostic tests over and over again to rule out galstones ect. but everything turns out normal except i have high triglycerides and ldl as well as a fatty liver and a 18mm cyst on my left ovary. The only reason i mention this is that i have always been a mother by nature, i want to be a midwife, have kids ect and it is really trying on me that i might have problems with my reproductive system. Also my fathers mother died from ovarian cancer and had her right ovary removed at my age, she went on to have 2 children but still it's a worry and i feel like i am at the end of my rope. They keep giving me pain killers to help with the pain but i can't work while i'm on them b/c i can't drive to work, and if i don;t take them i am in so much pain i cannot concentrait, 7,8,9, and 10 on a scale of 1 - 10 with out oain pills, varying by if i'm active. I have been running a fever for almost the whole time but the doc's don't seem to think it's a factor b/c i normally run about 96 and have been running only about 99 to 100 still in the normal range but really high for me. any ideas on what to do to deal. I feel like i'm gonna have a nervous break down if i don't find out what is going on with me. I want to excercise b/c I know that it would help both my biploar and PCOS if i were lighter but the pain makes it impossible and i don't want to have to rely on pain killers for ever. If anyone has anyideas please pm me or just post

Celticbombshell [/font]

Celtic bombshell- Don't worry about being able to have kids - that is a stress you don't need right now! I was dx with PCOS in 1998. I have three living children and had two miscarriages (one after a tubal ligation so I'm serious about that don't stress over the kids part! Luckily I had come to deeply regret the tubal, so it was all good for me) PCOS does affect your fertility, but if you're on the right meds, exercising and eating properly for PCOS you can definitely have kids. I personally know several women with PCOS and all of those that are married have kids. My best advice - Get thee to an endocrinologist with PCOS experience (they are starting to call it "syndrome X" so that is good terminology to know also.). Proper diet and exercise are key, due to the tie in with insulin resistance. I was on Glucophage for 6 mos-1 yr to get my body jumpstarted as to using the insulin better and then was able to control w/diet and exercise. This helped me to lose weight and gain energy, which helped me exercise - a whole positive cycle. Re: the pain - I don't know. It wasn't much of an issue for me (though one of my ovaries was routinely twice the normal size). A lot of GYN's will tell you PCOS doesn't need to be treated if you're not trying to achieve pregnancy - NOT TRUE! Insulin resistance is hard on your body/organs and needs to be corrected. Look for the book "Living with PCOS". Sorry don't know the author, I gave my copy away a few months ago to someone I met w/PCOS! It was really easy to read and helped me understand symptoms/treatment. Feel free to message me if you have any ?'s.