Nursing hypochondriasis

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

OK, you ever have one of those days where you think the absolute worst? I'm at work, we're slow, so we did EKGs on each other for fun. My luck, mine shows "nonspecific T waveabnormality" and "prolonged QT". I am healthy as a horse, except for migraines. So, I looked up prolonged QT on the Internet and found out it can cause sudden death. Great! Just the news I wanted to hear. LOL. Especially on the week that my cardiologist whom I precept with is out of town on vacation. The other nurses told me that this is normal in females, and unless I have problems, it's nothing, but stuff like this drives me nuts. Of course, this EKG machine is older than me (i'm 27). So, what do y'all think, and have y'all had bouts of this? Not asking medical advice, just opinion. Ta-ta for now, I'm off to make out my will for when I fall over dead.

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i've known a few instant deaths, w/said abnormalities.

but they were all 28 when they died.

relaaaaaaaax.

leslie;)

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Thanks, Leslie, I can rest easy till August now!

I'm fine, like I said, I feel great. It's just that niggling little thing in the back of my mind. Did the same thing in undergrad. Reminds me of Jeff Foxworthy talking about his wife....he would talk about her watching the news, profiling a disease, and she would sit there and go, "OMG, I've got it, I have every one of those symptoms." He finally told her at one point "You do NOT have testicular cancer. You don't even have testiculars!" I love that man. LOL

Thanks again!

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i only analyzed myself in psyche rotation.

heh.

leslie

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I loved psych. I had no idea I was so bad off until I got there! :whe!:

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I work with cancer patients, many of them quite young. So color me worried about my abdomen, which I just KNOW is growing all kinds of tumors. :(

Actually, in all seriousness, I do have some troubling symptoms I'm about to see my doc about... I'm hoping it's all nothing to worry about, or stress.

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I frequently get the medical student disease. You know the one where I start to imagine I have the symptoms when I hear about a new disease. I have dealt with it by being aware that I do it and talking myself down. I also avoid discussing it with other people because I feel that makes it worse. My advice if you have something bothering you talk to it with you doctor or NP and avoid discussing it with anyone else.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
OK, you ever have one of those days where you think the absolute worst? I'm at work, we're slow, so we did EKGs on each other for fun. My luck, mine shows "nonspecific T waveabnormality" and "prolonged QT". I am healthy as a horse, except for migraines. So, I looked up prolonged QT on the Internet and found out it can cause sudden death. Great! Just the news I wanted to hear. LOL. Especially on the week that my cardiologist whom I precept with is out of town on vacation. The other nurses told me that this is normal in females, and unless I have problems, it's nothing, but stuff like this drives me nuts. Of course, this EKG machine is older than me (i'm 27). So, what do y'all think, and have y'all had bouts of this? Not asking medical advice, just opinion. Ta-ta for now, I'm off to make out my will for when I fall over dead.

So did you measure your own QT interval and see what your T wave abnomality was, or are you diagnosing yourself based on the interpretation of your EKG by the EKG machine? The diagnostic tool on the EKG machine should be trusted as far as you can throw the whole machine. Leave the analysis to a qualified medical professional and not in the hands of a 30 year old EKG machine!!! ;)

Go see your doctor if you have concerns.

Blee

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
i've known a few instant deaths, w/said abnormalities.

but they were all 28 when they died.

relaaaaaaaax.

leslie;)

BWAAAHAHAHAHA - you cracked me up. You're funny!!!

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Specializes in Oncology, Cardiac.

My RA last year made a list of "You know you're a nursing student when..." and one of the things was "you diagnose yourself with every disease you learn about". It was something we all did!:lol2:

at one point i got all stressed out and diagnosed myself with diabetes and was about to get a glucometer until my friend talked me down... it's worse now that i'm in psych rotations and i'm analyzing myself. hehehe...

Earle58- very subtle and good!

Angelfire- I love Jeff Foxworthy! and yes, don't worry about one EKG. live life according to what makes you happy and you won't care if you die tomorrow or in 50 years.:)

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at one point i got all stressed out and diagnosed myself with diabetes and was about to get a glucometer until my friend talked me down... it's worse now that i'm in psych rotations and i'm analyzing myself. hehehe...

Lol, I actually got test at the campus clinic and I'm healthy no DM for me.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

One of the funniest books I've ever read happens to be about hypochondriacs. It's called:

The Hypochondriac's Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have. It's by Dennis DiClaudio.

Consider it. :)

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