Can't work 3rd shift due to Seroquel @ night

Jules A, MSN · Aug 8, 2009

Nursing is so flexible you should be able to find a good fit for your situation just keep in mind it might take a bit longer. I think it is wise not to disclose if you don't have to. Please don't feel ashamed about your diagnosis...it is what it is and kudos to you for working so hard on finding the right combination of meds to help you. :up:

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 8, 2009

Take the Serroquel just before you go to bed whether it is at night or in the morning. That particular medication won't stop you but a combination of all your issues may make it easier for your disorder to get worse. I recommend visiting the occupational health nurse after you are hired and discussing your limitations. All you need to say at the interview is what you can and can't do- after hiring is when they may ask the reasons.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Aug 11, 2009

From personal experience, I was on nights for most of the last 18 months as a nurse. I am diagnosed with BPII, PTSD, and GAD. I have been struggling greatly with trying to get meds right...anyway, I went from nights 2 weeks ago, to working 1 day shift, back to 1 night shift, and very nearly lost my job because I couldn't work the rest of the week last week. I was sooooo screwed up! I'm on days now permanently, and have "leveled off" some, but I wouldn't suggest it to anybody. It's really hard on us to try to change our med schedules...as you know we are ultra sensitive to even minor variations in dosing times, and major switches are intolerable. I guess if I were interviewing for a job, I would tell them something like "Due to a non-contagious, chronic medical condition that requires strict adherence to a medication dosing schedule, I'm afraid I can only be available to work days". I threw in "non-contagious" lest they assume I have something that will put others at risk. They can't ask you what the diagnosis is, either. There is also the prospect of working in a MD office, though they don't pay as well as long term care. I am considering that option myself if working the skilled unit on days doesn't work out. There are lots of options and you shouldn't have to compromise your health to work. Good luck at school!

PennyB71 · Aug 12, 2009

I like the non-contagious part:up:. I've always wondered what the politically correct phrase or story to give your potential employer should be. I had a meltdown today at my mother's house. It just happened. All I did was cry and cry:crying2: . Sometimes I feel like I'm going to have an episode...I'm so stressed out over starting school...I don't know what to expect (which is killing me the most). I know that I should not worry, but I can't help it:banghead: I hate when I feel like this. It drives me insane (no pun intended). I wish my mind could be still just for a few hours, so I can recover from these irrational feelings. I can't even sit down anymore and read some of my favorite novels because I feel smoke coming from my ears with my racing thougts. Sometimes crying helps and sometimes it doesn't. I try exercising which seems to help, so far. I can't wait untill these 2 years are over. After my last episode about 10 years ago, my nerves have been raw (if that makes any sense). I always do what needs to be done. But sense that last episode, I feel like everything sucks the life out of me. It just gets on my nerves sometimes, you know? When I feel like that, I sometimes will take a Xanax (the lowest dose). I don't want to take a Xanax everytime I feel this way though.

I'll continue to pray and have faith...but it doesn't make it not suck any less sometimes.

Thanks for listening!

P.S. I think I'll start to post these feelings for on-line support.

Reallyconfused0160 · Aug 15, 2009

Well good luck. I was also diagnosed with Bipolar #2, but I never had a manic episode, but the doctors are the pros. I also have anxiety. I found that medication is not always the answer. If it was- I'd be as happy as can be, so I think I am going to go to therapy.

I refused Serequal, I won't touch it because of its addictive qualities and I've seen what it does to other people. Not to say that it's a bad drug, but this time around, I'm a bit smarter then just saying yes to any script. I already take Klonipin and Percocet, so I have my own battles to face, didn't want a 3rd drug!

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Aug 16, 2009

I like the non-contagious part:up:. I've always wondered what the politically correct phrase or story to give your potential employer should be. I had a meltdown today at my mother's house. It just happened. All I did was cry and cry:crying2: . Sometimes I feel like I'm going to have an episode...I'm so stressed out over starting school...I don't know what to expect (which is killing me the most). I know that I should not worry, but I can't help it:banghead: I hate when I feel like this. It drives me insane (no pun intended). I wish my mind could be still just for a few hours, so I can recover from these irrational feelings. I can't even sit down anymore and read some of my favorite novels because I feel smoke coming from my ears with my racing thougts. Sometimes crying helps and sometimes it doesn't. I try exercising which seems to help, so far. I can't wait untill these 2 years are over. After my last episode about 10 years ago, my nerves have been raw (if that makes any sense). I always do what needs to be done. But sense that last episode, I feel like everything sucks the life out of me. It just gets on my nerves sometimes, you know? When I feel like that, I sometimes will take a Xanax (the lowest dose). I don't want to take a Xanax everytime I feel this way though.
I'll continue to pray and have faith...but it doesn't make it not suck any less sometimes.
Thanks for listening!
P.S. I think I'll start to post these feelings for on-line support.

Oh, I understand exactly! With each episode (I'm an ultradian rapid cycler. Horray.) my nerves are shot nearly all of the time. I have "moments" where I'm OK, but generally speaking I'm in a battle with myself to keep my anger in check most all of the time. At least outwardly. Inside I'm seething. But, I'm used to it, so I pull off Oscar winning performances at work daily. By the time I get home, I'm exhausted from the effort. We will survive, though. We just have to. Thanks for writing. It helps to see that I'm not alone.

Reallyconfused0160 · Aug 16, 2009

Have you ever tried to take a bottle just say a coke glass bottle and throw it? It releases so much tension, maybe that will help. You should see how much stress it releases, just by throwing it and hearing it break. I'm not some nut who collects glass bottles and goes around breaking them for fun, but where I used to work, we had to recycle the bottles and throw them in the recycling bin. The harder you throw and hear the CRACK it seriously releases so much negative energy or anger feelings you might have.

I saw that they even have these clubs, sort of like health clubs that offer this! I saw it on CNN or some channel. I should have invented it!

Jules A, MSN · Aug 16, 2009

Oh, I understand exactly! With each episode (I'm an ultradian rapid cycler. Horray.) my nerves are shot nearly all of the time. I have "moments" where I'm OK, but generally speaking I'm in a battle with myself to keep my anger in check most all of the time. At least outwardly. Inside I'm seething. But, I'm used to it, so I pull off Oscar winning performances at work daily. By the time I get home, I'm exhausted from the effort. We will survive, though. We just have to. Thanks for writing. It helps to see that I'm not alone.

I would imagine that you've discussed this with your Doctor but if not please do. It makes me sad to think that you are having to go through life with such anger. I can't imagine the self control it must take.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Aug 16, 2009

I would imagine that you've discussed this with your Doctor but if not please do. It makes me sad to think that you are having to go through life with such anger. I can't imagine the self control it must take.

I have spoken at length with my MD, psychiatrist, and therapist. I start group on Thursday, and hope that will help. It is very difficult to be so angry all of the time, to (want to) fly off of the handle at the smallest of things...it does take everything I have to present myself as a level-headed, rational, functional nurse. I frequently question my ability to continue working, as it seems to get harder daily. Then, I get so frustrated I just want to hide in the linen closet and cry. I have read and been told that it can take quite some time to find the right "cocktail" of meds to be anything close to fully functional. The last med they tried me on in addition to the Depakote was clonidine, and that was a disaster. My next appt they will likely rx something new, which is really hard to deal with when I have to take a new med and run off to work, hoping beyond hope I don't have a breakdown right in the middle of a shift (like I did on the clonidine). The sad and scary part is I'm better now than I have ever been , but I'm far from "good". Financially, I just don't know how we would make it if I couldn't work. However, if it comes to that, then it does. We'll get along somehow, I suppose. Today is not one of my better days. I was much better yesterday. Maybe I'll be OK tomorrow? I guess I'll see when it gets here. Thank you for responding. Please pray for me. I need it today.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 16, 2009

I have spoken at length with my MD, psychiatrist, and therapist. I start group on Thursday, and hope that will help. It is very difficult to be so angry all of the time, to (want to) fly off of the handle at the smallest of things...it does take everything I have to present myself as a level-headed, rational, functional nurse. I frequently question my ability to continue working, as it seems to get harder daily. Then, I get so frustrated I just want to hide in the linen closet and cry. I have read and been told that it can take quite some time to find the right "cocktail" of meds to be anything close to fully functional. The last med they tried me on in addition to the Depakote was clonidine, and that was a disaster. My next appt they will likely rx something new, which is really hard to deal with when I have to take a new med and run off to work, hoping beyond hope I don't have a breakdown right in the middle of a shift (like I did on the clonidine). The sad and scary part is I'm better now than I have ever been , but I'm far from "good". Financially, I just don't know how we would make it if I couldn't work. However, if it comes to that, then it does. We'll get along somehow, I suppose. Today is not one of my better days. I was much better yesterday. Maybe I'll be OK tomorrow? I guess I'll see when it gets here. Thank you for responding. Please pray for me. I need it today.

Sending prayers and good vibes. My heart breaks for you. Please continue with your battle against this illness. As a psychiatric nurse I can absolutely attest to the fact that it often does take time to find the right combination of medications but I have seen wonderful results. Keep in mind that nursing can offer flexible work options if you find your present situation is not a great fit. It sounds like you are bright and determined. I have complete faith that you will be successful. Here is to a better tomorrow.

:hgu:

phlox · Aug 16, 2009

I take a huge amount of Seoquel at night and often wonder the same thing...about working as a nurse at night. I presently have not been in the workforce for 12 years or so but am ready to get back in. I worked nights for many years and it was just so natural for me. I can't go off the Seroquel, as it really does help me. if I ever go back to nursing, which I am now ready for, I am thinking though, that I would have to work days.