[raykelnickicola]

I need someone to help me organize my thoughts...

I have worked in Adult ICU for four years. I stayed at my last job for three years and I really liked it, for the most part. It was in a community hospital on the outskirts of the city. The people there were friendly and I did well there.

I left a couple of months ago when the staffing ratios were becoming an issue. I went to a large teaching hospital ICU and got a considerable raise. The problem is that I just don't feel like I belong in an environment like that. I have been having problems with anxiety (which I never had before in my entire life), lost 10 lbs in month, and started having heart palpitations. With the support of my family I put my notice in recently. I don't know what I'm going to do next.

I am wondering if I am supposed to do something entirely different. I am breastfeeding my baby and I would like to spend as much time home as possible, but if not, at least have enough time during work hours to pump. I have an interest in lactation consulting and am active in the La Leche League. I applied to midwifery school but won't find out for 3 more weeks. I don't know what to do...

Can someone offer suggestions? They would be much appreciated.

[Tweety]

Good luck to you. Perhaps you shouldn't make any major decisions for the moment, since it's only been a couple of months. But it does sound like your inner voice is talking, so taking the time to listen, but not make any rash decisions might be appropriate.

You might want to see your PMD about these physical symptoms, as you might have something else going on like thyriod issues, etc.

[raykelnickicola]

Thanks, for your advice! I think I'm going to take some time off to think about things.

I did go to my PCP and had bloodwork done. Everything was normal, including my TSH (Good call). I'm seeing a cardiologist now, too.

[Tweety]

Glad to see you're ruling out physical symptoms. Would hate to see "ah it's just stress and anxiety" and have it be something else.

Good luck to you and hang in there.