I was misdiagnosed

Nurses Disabilities

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Oh am I glad I found this website! I am working as a CNA and have one year left of RN school. I just was diagnosed with mixed bipolar and was being treated for the wrong MI for 6 years. The medications I had been taking were aggrevating the bipolar symptoms. I received a phone call from one of my managers about my work performance recently. I had no idea I did anything wrong, but I did notice I was having memory trouble over the past few weeks (can be a symptom of bipolar I found out). I thought maybe it was just a "hangover" from the medications I was taking in the first place. I felt I had been doing an excellent job at work, and didn't realize I was rapidly cycling between mania and depression. After I got off the phone with my manager I immediately got help from a different psychiatrist and started seeing a therapist, which is when I discovered the misdiagnosis.

I just had a meeting with my managers. I'm totally in the dark about what they're going to do, and I know that they are considering termination. I disclosed to them that I am getting the help I need and requested a week and a half leave of absence. I told them I had something going on medically that I was just informed of, causing impaired judgment, but didn't disclose the diagnosis. I work on a psych unit.. I'm sure they can tell what diagnosis I have. I feel so much better already with my medication being corrected, finding out my TRUE diagnosis, and sorting my thoughts out with a therapist. However.. at this meeting a manager said she is concerned about my ability to perform safe patient care. I'm nervous I'll be fired and can't obtain licensure. I researched my states law and it only says on the licensure application "do you have a mental illness that can cause harm to the public". I am confident I can manage this, now that I am aware of what to look for. I am working HARD to better myself and requested another chance to show them I can be a stable worker. This is the only time I have messed up in the two years I have worked there. I'm praying for a good outcome and a chance to prove that I will NOT let this illness debilitate me.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

When states ask questions like that on a licensure application, they mean an UNTREATED illness, generally. If you are appropriately managing your symptoms (depending on how the question is worded and any related applicable exceptions) then your risk is low.

In your present situation, is there any documentation with specific times, dates, and specific behavior that you were observed doing? Does your facility have a progressive disciplinary policy that includes counseling, education, and an action plan for improvement? Most places do,if the alleged issues don't fall under something that places patients or staff in immediate jeopardy, which would be dealt with differently. Ask questions and ask for feedback.

If you are being treated appropriately, are confident you can manage your symptoms, then tell them so.

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Thank you for your feedback. I know there can be a stigma with this. There's documentation of only this one incident, which occurred via computer. they're just concerned that I may have had other incidences they're unaware of regarding patient care. My company does have a discipline policy but it is taken case by case...

The incident did not harm anyone, patient or staff. It was a error on the computer I was using. I would discuss it further but I'm uncomfortable disclosing further information.

I did inform my managers at this meeting that They can speak with some of the charge nurses I frequently work with about my performance. I have been complimented often on my hard work and patient care by charge nurses, various nurses, and patients.

I also did Tell them I feel confident I can manage what is happening now that I'm aware of my ACTUAL medical problem. I will give them a doctor note when the doctor believes I'm medically clear, and the doctor and my therapist said I'm already making remarkable progress. I also told management I felt bad I had to find out the diagnosis this way...because of a work incident... but now I can move forward appropriately with the correct treatment to prevent further issues.

Im just waiting to hear back about what the course of action is ... I'm hopeful that if they were going to terminate me, they would have already decided this and informed me. At this point it seems to me that they may be working on formulating a plan for corrective action regarding this.

Keeping my fingers crossed to keep my job as a CNA. It sounds like I should be able to obtain licensure as an RN so long as I am managing my diagnosis appropriately through med compliance, doctor visits, and therapy.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Did they give you a definite calendar date when their decision will be made?

It sounds like you have a good attitude and things in order. Keep us posted and good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

First of all, congratulations on getting the right diagnosis. It will make a world of difference in your treatment. I'm sorry you're having trouble at work, but my advice is NOT to disclose your bipolar disorder to your employer. You're already in a pinch...no need to make things worse by sharing. They can't fire you for having BP but they can find a million other ways to get rid of you. It happened to me a few years ago; I got manic and couldn't hide it, and suddenly my employer started dumping more work on me and treating me like garbage, probably trying to get me to quit. It didn't work.

I did the best I could under the circumstances, but eventually I began to break down. Finally I had to take a medical leave of absence, and by that time my secret was out. I was fired two days after returning from leave, ostensibly for poor performance. But I knew what the real reason was, and I was able to get unemployment benefits because I was ill and overly stressed.

I hope that doesn't happen to you. In the meantime, do what you can to get back on management's good side. Since you didn't specify the actual reasons why you're in trouble, I can't offer much in the way of advice, but I do know that many bipolar medications can cause memory problems so be aware that "brain fog" may affect you at work. Of course you'll want to work with your psychiatrist and therapist to help you stay healthy, and NEVER go off any of your meds without their knowledge and supervision. It's tempting to do when we're feeling better.

Wishing you the best of luck. Please keep us posted.

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They did not give me an exact date.. I was told that hopefully they will have a response by end of this week or beginning of next. Thank you for the encouragement! Will post the outcome once I know.

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Thank you! I am not going to disclose my specific disorder, they just know it is having an affect on my memory and I'm having this corrected. I have begun the proper meds and I am in absolute awe. I don't think I've felt this "normal" since junior high school. I'm picking up old hobbies in my time off, I'm remembering things clearly, my mind is at peace.

Thank you for sharing your story with me! I know I can conquer this, I hope I am given a chance to show them.

Im on a leave of absence with a doctors note, but I am a PRN employee so I have no benefits. If I return to work and am terminated shortly after ... Especially after waiting this long to hear, I'll be devastated.

Fortunately i am learning how this med is affecting me during my time off. It's just the beginning, so I know I can't tell quite yet. So far I just wake up groggy but then once I get up and moving it clears and my focus has already improved. I feel less sluggish. It's almost like I had ADD before. The girl I used to know is coming back.

Since I work in the psych unit I definitely know the importance of med compliance. I feel I have excellent support now (at least outside of work). I hope that my work decides to support me in this tough time.

I will most definitely inform everyone of the outcome of this I should be finding out end of this week or beginning of next.

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To those who were wondering. I received a letter in the mail today that I am protected under ADA and will receive reasonable accommodations. I cried when I opened it. I couldn't believe it. I was hoping this would be the case. My doctor has to decide what these accommodations may need to be, but ultimately I just think I need to be GUARANTEED my x2 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch. This will allow me to rest and get away from any stress. I probably need to completely leave the unit to achieve this. We will see what the doctor says but I'm so glad they're willing to accommodate me!

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To those who were wondering. I received a letter in the mail today that I am protected under ADA and will receive reasonable accommodations. I cried when I opened it. I couldn't believe it. I was hoping this would be the case. My doctor has to decide what these accommodations may need to be, but ultimately I just think I need to be GUARANTEED my x2 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch. This will allow me to rest and get away from any stress. I probably need to completely leave the unit to achieve this. We will see what the doctor says but I'm so glad they're willing to accommodate me!

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

I'm glad you got that letter. Your story reminds me of an article I read last week about a study that was done which concluded that most people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed for an average of 6 years before getting the correct diagnosis. In my case, it took almost 30 years to get properly diagnosed.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Threads merged

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

It took me about 12 years to get the right diagnosis (Bipolar 1). Before that I was treated only for depression, and I tried many antidepressants which either worked for a little while, or pooped out or made me manic. Wellbutrin almost landed me in the hospital. Still, I was seeing my PCP for all this, and he finally sent me to a psychiatrist because he thought I had something more serious than he could handle. He was right. At my first visit I was diagnosed with Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified, which was "upgraded" to BP 1 in the hospital a couple of years later. I was 55 at the time.

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