Stressed

[DMM1188]

Does anyone else feel like their job is really effecting their physical health . Since I started in November, I’ve had diarrhea every day. I’ve also had chest pains at different points too. I started gagging every day as well and now it has turned into throwing up. I also developed a jaw problem from grinding /clenching my teeth so hard at night and can barely eat anything solid.I’m just afraid my physical health is going to keep going downhill. I’m honestly not sure if I can last there without ending up in the hospital for either a medical issue or because I feel like I’m on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Welcome to the community. There are a lot of good people here and a vast amount of experience strength and hope.

I’ve been retired for many years and my anxiety was manageable while I was working. So I don’t have any words of wisdom. Just glad you’re here.

Are you seeing a therapist?

[DMM1188 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

yes I am and we’ve been working on my anxiety. It’s early but I do really like her and she was in the same profession as me before she became a therapist.

[012703060610]

There is no doubt that a job can cause so much stress that your gut is wrecked. I fell ill when COVID hit the States in April 2020. I was managing about 60 people and working at my job 70 hours a week. I have three small kids too. Instead of diarrhea, I wasn't drinking enough water and became severely constipated. This led to me just not eating as I would go or try to go to the bathroom up to 25 to 30 times a day. Fast forward a year, I resigned. I was burnt out and I added two horrific autoimmune diseases and now a paralyzed stomach. Between work and severe COVID, my life as I knew was gone. You must care for your mental health. If your job is causing such severe reactions, you may truly want to consider a change before things get worse or you are in a bind. I have always had the mantra of looking at the job market consistently because we never know what will happen! BTW-the jaw issues-I feel for you, I know how painful and frustrating jaw issues can be.

[DMM1188 in reply to 012703060610]

thank you- that’s awful about 25-30 times a day! I can’t even imagine!I went through a stressful situation before that manifested in physical symptoms ( the same diarrhea but more throwing up than gagging plus no jaw problems) and had a whole panel of tests done- even an endoscopy but I was perfectly fine- it was all stress induced. I’m starting to look at other jobs. I’m a teacher and I’m trying to last out the school year as it’s my first year but I’m not sure I can make it to June

[012703060610 in reply to DMM1188]

Oh the insurance wheel. It is brutal so I empathize with you both! So my husband had to rejoin the workforce so I had insurance. Some of the state plans (if in the US) aren't too bad to manage if you get into a jam for insurance. I hope one positive you can take away is that you are in a profession that is so needed. My parents were teachers and I support my kids' schools as much as I can even while disabled. Thank you for entering education. I hope you can make it through, but understand we all have our limits. I hope you can take some solace in knowing teaching is in demand. If you make it until June, would you have the summer off? I guess I'm thinking you'd keep insurance that way and could spend the summer months doing some good hard work on yourself. Be kind to yourself! I have to say it every day!

[DMM1188 in reply to 012703060610]

Thank you. it is a year round program but I’m planning on trying to make it till June and then going on Mass Health or COBRA and maybe getting a part time job during the summer to pay for it and then have a new teaching job lined up in September.. I don’t want to do anything until I have a definite job lined up though. I’m hoping for a job with the summers off and more support from administration.. also I get no planning time whatsoever which is very frustrating as well and would give me a break.

[012703060610 in reply to DMM1188]

I am so glad you know what you want and you can get there! I think you have a solid approach. As a prior CT resident, I think the plans in both states are reasonable. Get out of the full year cycle of teaching!

[DMM1188 in reply to 012703060610]

just have to make it till June .. but yes I totally agree about the full year thing

[Hidden in reply to DMM1188]

Awww that’s a shame as it’s such a stressful time for you. Your symptoms are really debilitating too. Your first year in teaching will be so difficult. You’re still trying to settle in and find the self confidence you need to do your job. Children are so hard to work with. I’m not sure what age groups of children you teach? COVID definitely had a huge impact on children and teaching in general. I feel children missed out on so many social skills by being kept if of schools during lockdowns. It also had a huge impact on teachers going back into classrooms. Be kind to yourself and try not to sell yourself short. The amount of pressure you’re putting on yourself is massive. You’ll be an amazing teacher! It’s just finding the self confidence and self worth to tell yourself that. The children will be lucky to have you. Mindfulness is fantastic for relaxation and we’ve had a therapist come into work to teach us meditation skills. That short period of time meditating can bring so much inner calm. We also have a yoga teacher who comes to the school once a week. So children and staff can both benefit from that. She also does a free evening online session for staff on a Monday evening. I live with anxiety and depression and find those two strategies really helpful to bring inner peace and calmness into my day. I also couldn’t go without my meds. 300 mg of Venlafaxin daily. I really feel for you my darling but remember we’re all here for you. Big hugs and love 🙏🏻🍀❤️😘xx

[DMM1188 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[b1b1b1 in reply to 012703060610]

Take a look at the IBS site. There is a lot of info about constipation. It is miserable condition, both mentally and physically and I hope you are now seeing a lot of improvement.

[012703060610 in reply to b1b1b1]

thank you! We know why finally..I have a paralyzed stomach due to vagus nerve damage. My stomach plays no role in digestion, it’s insanity. I used to be all ibs d. I have three autoimmune conditions as well. One being microscopic colitis too! Weeeeee!

[DMM1188 in reply to 012703060610]

when you were going 25-30 times a day was that just on workdays or everyday? Mine started out just on workdays and has migrated to including weekends.

[012703060610 in reply to DMM1188]

Same thing happened. I was doing OK on weekends when I could relax and ensure I was hydrated, but it wasn't great. I may have then gone like 10 times. It didn't matter how much I ate or what I ate....hard pellets. So everyone was saying I had IBS C but was diagnosed years ago with IBS C and D. I was getting lots of meds to "slow the gut" because I was going "frequently" versus focusing on the hardness and pain of going. I think the hope was it would all come together so that I could return to one or two BMs a day. Two years later I did a pill cam and gastric emptying study showing that my stomach didn't move any more (gastroparesis). All the Bentyl, Amirtipalyne etc slow the bowels. I needed to get food digested first. Finally I am noted to have chronic IBS C and D again as well as microscopic colitis.

[DMM1188 in reply to 012703060610]

oh wow I’m sorry that’s sounds unpleasant I’ve always had digestive issues but mostly constipation(not that severe) it’s just the anxiety that brings the diarrhea out.

[DMM1188]

thank you. I’m also in the same situation where I need the health insurance. I actually have a doctors appointment this week, and then im going to see what happens then.

[optimismrus]

I am a retired teacher and I so relate. The first few years were terrifying, and you have to hide it from the students. I lost my voice so many times. I loved the kids but no one helped us to prepare for the discipline problems. I ended up with IBS, and a breakdown. The average teacher lasts 2 years. I made it thru 9 years but when I lost my sense of humor I retired in order to save myself and the students. I always say, it was the best and the worst job I ever had. It's such a good profession despite the lack of support. Best wishes for your new position next year. I think it's so important to have summer vacation to recharge!🥰

[DMM1188 in reply to optimismrus]

it’s hard.. sometimes I have to excuse myself when I have an anxiety attack coming on.. I’m not feeling a lot of support either..when I get the support from behavior support they’re great, but the one student in particular has had me stranded and there’s no way to get help. He’s very physically violent too.. he kicks, punches, slaps, and even kicked me in the stomach once( this was well after the IBS symptoms started).. it’s scary and I feel like the other staff at my school judge me for getting overwhelmed by him.

[MadBunny]

As a retired teacher , I understand how stressful it can be and how it can badly affect your GI system, having been there myself.I'm surprised that you manage to go to work with the daily symptoms you describe.

[Dolphin14 in reply to MadBunny]

Good point MadBunny

It must be horrible

❤️🐬

[MadBunny in reply to Dolphin14]

It is. I had to take time off sick.

[Dolphin14 in reply to MadBunny]

One of my daughter's is a teacher. You cant leave the classroom that many times

I couldn't do my job under those conditions either.

It's a tough one for sure

[MadBunny in reply to Dolphin14]

There's no way I would have been allowed to leave a class unattended. It is very tough, especially when you are in a job where you are responsible for others.

[DMM1188 in reply to MadBunny]

don’t worry I don’t leave the class unattended there are aides in there.

[MadBunny in reply to DMM1188]

It cant be good for classroom managenent though if the teacher has to leave the class.

[DMM1188 in reply to MadBunny]

no I’m sure it isn’t but I’m usually not gone for long just long enough to splash water on my face and deep breathe

[MadBunny in reply to DMM1188]

Still disruptive ,though,and as an 'oldie', may I say, the kids pick up on things very quickly and will have noticed. But I'm sure you know that.

[DMM1188 in reply to MadBunny]

it usually calms down( the diarrhea and nausea) by the time I get to work. The jaw pain is all the time though.

[MadBunny in reply to DMM1188]

That's good. I found that often, mine didn't settle enough in time to go to work.It must be very exhausting too, as it's so draining. Teachings a difficult job at the best of times, when you're feeling 100%, it needs so much energy to stay on top of the game .

[Dolphin14 in reply to DMM1188]

Do you wear a mouth guard? Do you have TMJ?

When my anxiety was at its peak I would have symptoms until I got to work. So I'm glad you get relief at some point

[DMM1188 in reply to Dolphin14]

yes.. I have a mouth guard being made that I’m getting on Wednesday as the store ones just never worked for me.

[Dolphin14 in reply to DMM1188]

That may help you

[Dolphin14]

Teaching is such an important job and with that comes stress.

You mention your therapist was a teacher. Has she given you any suggestions for trying to work through this?

🐬

[DMM1188 in reply to Dolphin14]

She is trying but we only started a few weeks ago. She is actually horrified by some of the stuff I’ve told her and she worked in severe special Ed for 30 years

[Dolphin14]

I'm so sorry this is happening

I imagine with budget cuts etc the responsibility and pressure has gone way up in 30 years. I understand she would be horrified

[yhsbirny]

Those sound like some pretty serious symptoms, not just an occasional feeling of anxiety. I think you need to do something right away; frankly, I have never heard of a job situation causing this many physical symptoms this bad. You should have a physical checkup to make sure it is not some physical cause. If it is not, and you want or need to keep this job, see a psychiatrist and/or therapist to get something to help you through. Otherwise, leave that job as fast as you can.

[DMM1188 in reply to yhsbirny]

thank you.. I actually have a doctors appointment on Wednesday and I’ve been keeping a list and getting ready for it..