Panic Attack, Heat, Work, etc.

With this being my first post ever on here I'll give a little background about myself...

I am 21 years old, love working with anything non food production. I've been working since the age of 17 and have done a lot of jobs and have seen a lot of things. I've literally done everything from construction, janitorial (I was over two accounts at the age of 20 for a contractor), to manufacturing (food, CNC, and foundry), etc. I also have a 9 month old son and live with the mama although we've been pretty rocky lately.

I personally find it hard to believe but I think my anxiety/panic disorder has been around almost my whole life even before I was officially diagnosed in my teens with it. I can recall times of just crying while in grade school for no apparent reasons. Separation anxiety mostly. Being raised by a single mom with mental disorders I often found myself in hard places and had to learn and take over a lot of things just to get the house running smoothly (cooking, cleaning, maintenance, etc.).

So now the big question of what brings me here? Well I've been working at a foundry as a parts grinder for about 2 months. Within those two months I've been hauled out in the back of an ambulance twice. First time was purely heat exhaustion/dehydration. On Saturday morning (I work 3rd) it was well over 100F in the grinding room and I began to feel heavy in the chest. I walked over and found a person with a radio and reported I was having heavy chest and was told to go to the front office. When I walked in no one was there. Within a few minutes when our first responder employees came in I was hyperventilating, sweating, feeling tingly, and to top it off both my hands were cramped up. Literally this was one of the worst feelings I've had. I thought I was literally having a heart attack! Never have I had a panic attack this bad in my life. Now my job is riding on a heart ultrasound and what a doctor says.

I applied for disability before finding work at the foundry but was not contacted by the government about it until AFTER I started working again. I was told I was making to much therefore did not qualify. At this point in my life I HAVE TO have an income to support my kid, pay bills, etc. Seriously don't know what I should do. Even if allowed to return to work dunno how long I'll last with my panic attacks being made worse by heat exhaustion but the thought of supporting my kid pushes to further and further (literally I used to work 16 hours between two jobs three days/nights a week).

Suggestions/Advice??

Hi R G and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about your recent attack and tough work circumstances that are likely the cause.

So, if I understand correctly, you are waiting on a md iCal clearance at the moment?

Since you are on a bit of a holding pattern...maybe you can use this time to come up with a game plan regarding the future.

Could there be another position at your company that would not be so triggering for you? It sounds like the environment is just not your friend in terms of managing anxiety! Can you inquire about this possibility, or even look into other work? I know this is not easy, but neither is going through what you are currently...and like you said...you need to provide for your child, and you need to feel your best in order to do so.:)

I echo AL's question of what if any treatments have you tried thus far for relief? Medication and or therapy...as well as self help are the mainstream and tried and true options.

You can ask your doctor about the first two...and find the last in our Resources at the top of the main forum page.

Keep posting with us as well for understanding. ..let us know what you hear regarding your test...and know you will always find support with us.:)

Scaredy Cat

Yes! Use your union representative to fight for you!
If your doctor or therapist/counselor writes a note of recommendation saying that your current work environment is not suitable and a health threat (physical and/or mental health) you should be eligible for accommodations to change positions!
Sorry to hear you've run out of your Rx...for now, use the coping skills found here to get you through until your appointment.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Let us know how it goes tomorrow, okay?
S.C.

Test came back alright. Waiting to hear from HR hope they are doing OT in case I don't hear back today from HR.

Good job on taking these necessary steps, and glad to hear your test revealed good results!

Best wishes towards getting back to work...

...in a healthy environment for you.:)

S.C.

Heading back tonight. Woke up at (4 hours sleep) 10a just to call and make contact with HR and had to wait for responses and send in papers via email. Nervous but wonna work.