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In need of help!!

Chronic Illness Forums
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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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MT
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 7/12/2012 2:16 PM (GMT -7)
I am a Home Care nurse and have a pt that has recently had lower back surgery, since his surgery he has been having episodes of what his PCP thought was anxiety but I am not sure. He can be up moving like normal and then all of a sudden he becomes very short of breath and needs to sit down, episodes may last 5min or 10min but when over he is just wiped out. This never happens when laying down just when he gets up or when he becomes to tired. Recently he has had an episode where his body started shaking they can be mild or very severe. He has seen his Cardiologist that said it was not heart related and will see Pulmonary specialist tomorrow. Being a nurse I have seen anxiety problems but this does not appear to be his issue, was given anti-anxiety meds but not effective. Vitals also not very much out of the ordinary following episode, 02 sats are good. He just states he feels wiped out all the time but more so after episode almost like a seizure. Wondering if anyone has any idea's. Thought maybe some spinal trauma during his back surgery?? Help!!
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Scaredy Cat
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 28867
Posted 7/12/2012 8:53 PM (GMT -7)
I would trust your intincts on this one...you are a medical professional and his nurse...and most importantly his advocate.

I think that if you feel there is more to it then a panic episode, then you should keep pushing his doctors to find another cause.

Look at it this way...if they run more tests and find that it is after all anxiety then fine, no harm done...but if everyone assumes it is anxiety and it turns out to be something physically significant, then it could be too late for possibly helping him.

Go with your gut and let us know how it turns out okay?

Great job on going the extra mile for your patient and take care!

Scaredy Cat
Moderator:Anxiety/Panic

"Courage is not the abscence of fear, it is feeling afraid and doing it anyway!"

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles...it empties today of its strength."
Corrie Ten Boom

Panic Syndrome recovery due to CBT
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Enajones
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2012
Posts : 60
Posted 7/12/2012 11:40 PM (GMT -7)
It does sound like seizures. After one they always feel wiped out and will sleep for a very long time. The breathing problem , is something I'm going thru myself. I just had a ct scan on my chest and really nothing showed other than calcium spots. So I'm assuming it is my fibromyalgia. It also does it when laying down tho. The pulmonologist didn't know what it was so I just deal with it, but it's scary when it happens all ofca sudden for no reason. I hope they figure it out for him!!
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stkitt
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 32602
Posted 7/13/2012 9:38 AM (GMT -7)
MT,

As a home health nurse I am going to assume that you have a plan of care for this patient with Dr. contact phone numbers.  I would strongly suggest that you call the Dr. and report what you are seeing.  Also, who is this person's Power of Attorney for Health Care - this person should also be notified as this would be the person that could help get your patient to the Drs. or to the ER if the need arises. 

Remember as this patient's advocate you have to be assertive and if it turns out to be anxiety - no foul done.  This patient is lucky to have a nurse that has his best interest at heart and recognizes that anxiety is not the cause of all things.  Kudos to you.

Kindly,

Kitt


~~Kitt~~
Moderator: Anxiety, Osteoarthritis,
GERD/Heartburn and Heart/Cardiovascular Disease.



"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship" ~ Louisa May Alcott
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