Wellness

[Midnight11]

I started a new job 8 months ago, and I can agree, very Stressful!  The first month, I was so stressed, besides working, the only place I went was the grocery store.

[tarsmom]

Years ago (2 x) I stopped them.  Then about a month later (like clockwork) I got a terrible migraine that lasted for a few days.  One of the meds does prevent migraines.  I am also on antidepressants and I see a dr soon for a recheck.  Maybe I need to wean off or reduce the dose of that one.  

It sure is work trying to take care of your own self! LOL

[tarsmom]

Thanks for sharing!  Gosh, you never know!

[cerb]

My mother fainted in church last month.  She is 87 years old and it was the first time she's ever fainted.  A battery of tests was also run on her without any real diagnosis.  My mother tends to have low blood pressure and the doctor thinks that her blood sugar got too low.  We told him that her blood sugar is usually on the high side (though not diabetic).  The doctor then explained that as we age, our bodies do a poorer job at regulating our blood sugar.  It tends to spike high or low more frequently.  My mother also allows herself to get dehydrated.  Now she carries a little container of non-refrigerated orange juice with her to drink if she starts feeling a bit "wobbly" as she puts it.  

When my son was in high school he fainted once.  Same basic situation.  He has naturally low blood pressure and had forgotten to eat or drink anything all day.  He stood up quickly and fainted.  (Hit his head on the dresser and needed 3 staples on his scalp.)  

Best wishes on finding out what helps your situation and there aren't any more occurrences.

[adamlambert]

I hope you get better and figure it out. Not a good way to begin a new job. I once barfed my first day of work in an office so know it's somewhat embarrassing. Lol

[RedTop]

@tarsmom,

Just want to throw this out there as something to keep in mind, since you do use a computer at work all day, and are constantly flipping back and forth to different screens.   

For the last 2 years during my routine eye exams, my doctor asks how much time I spend in front of the TV, computer, or my iPad each day.   Reason being, the UV exposure we receive is beginning to show up in our eyes, and is expected to become a major problem in the future.   He recommends a special UV coating on all new lenses for glasses, which will protect the eyes to indoor and outdoor exposure.  He reminds me to always wear my glasses to protect my eyes, and take frequent breaks from the screens.   

I do not think it impossible that your vagal reaction was triggered from your intense computer usage each day.  If you haven't seen your eye doctor lately, I would definitely make an appointment to have your eyes checked and discuss your vision and daily exposure to UV rays.   

[golding76]

This is the opinion of someone untrained in medicine but who has been around the block once or twice.  Having experienced a near-loss-of-consciousness episode once in my life (in my mid-20s) that required an ambulance and an ER visit, I can tell you that I was under much stress at that time.  There was no medical explanation for my inability to remain conscious or remain upright.  

For some, there  is much stress associated with keeping up technologically with the younger generations in a work environment.   The minds of the younger ones seem to more intuitively grasp the next move and can jump from screen to screen with ease.  Remember, it probably is a strain on your eyes to adjust to your new work -- and, to possibly be regarded as the "older person" in the room adds an additional burden.  I know because I've been there.  The only thing I can suggest is to make light of any difficulties that you have as you learn (and you will learn), and to demonstrate that experience and deep knowledge are the bonuses for having reached a more senior age bracket.  

Be sure to get cleared for all possible health causes, though.

[hckynut]

@tarsmom

What is the first physical thing the EMT/Paramedic did TO you, other than pick you up? I either missed it or you didn't say, but were you taken to an ER?

Not a pleasant experience for anyone for sure.

hckynut(john)

[chrystaltree]

I am not a doctor or clinician but I am a Health Information Specialist and I have worked in healthcare and reviewed thousands of medical records in the past 20 years.  I'm also a Cerified Medical Coder.  A vasovagal episode can be caused by a number of things including standing or sitting for a prolonged period of time, low blood sugar, standing up suddently, extreme heat and stress....and 100 other things.  People who have one such episode often have others but not always.  Blood pressure meds can also cause them, so I would suggest that you see your Pcp and let him or her know what happened.  You need a bp check and review of your meds.  But it's probably one of those things that just happened and will never happen again.  It does not make you look an "old lady", put that out of your mind, you are the only one thinking that. 

[VaBelle35]

It's possible that you are sitting a lot while learning the new computer system.

You might want to get up once an hours and walk around for a couple of minutes.

I know for me, when I am concentrating on something at work, like a detailed spreadsheet, I find that I'm digging my feet into the bottom on my chair and grinding my teeth and just generally tense while trying to concentrate.