Beyond exhausted

[KT95]

Had a nightmare of a morning at work today. So I work as a hospital pharmacist on a busy acute medical ward and honest to say working in that place when you have a fibro flare is legit the worst thing ever. Shortage of staff is one thing but when you have an awful migraine, feel nauseas, aching face and body and exhaustion, it really does become too much. Especially when some ward staff do not cooperate or expect you to carry out a million tasks all in one go without compromising patient safety. Just asked my manager if i could leave early and thankfully she was understanding. I felt pretty guilty leaving my team since there is already enough pressures on them at work but I knew had to do what was best for me at the end of the day. Can’t wait to just get home and snuggle up in bed!

On another note one of my patients came in with a flare up of her chronic fatigue syndrome/ migraines. She really opened up to me about how she struggles with her symptoms and how misunderstood these chronic conditions are. She really appreciated the time that i spent just talking to her about it and I also shared my story. I guess we are all here to help each other out no?

[phlebo123]

Sorry to hear about your nightmare morning, hope you are resting now. You are doing so well, coping with such a demanding job. I work as a ward based phlebotomist, and my shifts are only 3 hours long, and I am exhausted by the end. I also see the stress experienced by all the staff on the hospital wards, and the pressure put upon the nursing and medical staff. I constantly worry that my foggy brain and poor concentration may lead to wrong decisions being made, and feel that I am constantly checking and rechecking my work. I always get a colleague to double check the most important blood samples to avoid mistakes. My daughter is currently studying for a Pharmacy degree, a final year student. She has a part time weekend job in a hospital pharmacy department, and she is always telling me of the pressure the pharmacy staff are under.

It is so good to hear that you could empathise with the patient with chronic fatigue, I am sure she felt better because someone could understand what she is experiencing.. Take care xxx

[KT95 in reply to phlebo123]

Thank you for your lovely reply! Got home and napped for a couple of hours

Even if your shifts are 3 hours i can imagine them to be incredibly busy and require a great load of concentration and dexterity in your role. I totally understand you with the second checking! I do that with patient hospital numbers and high risk meds.

The nhs is an incredible organisation and I can only appreciate the work that each hcp puts in on a daily basis. Today was a nightmare because a new locum doctor was making my life difficult and was not preparing disharge summary medications properly and the patient was high risk . I guess there are good days and bad days.

My rheumatologist has strongly advised for me to take a career change and go for a more corporate based role as being on my feet all day will not do me any good. As unfortunate as it is after only qualifying this year and all that hard work, i am looking for pharma industry based roles instead. Atleast I can still utilise my expertise but in a different role which should hopefully be less stress and have less of an impact on my health.

Best of luck to your daughter with her degree! If she needs any advise or help feel free to message me It’s a hard degree no doubt and I am sure she has a bright future ahead!

[Karenbe]

I know how you feel, I am working in a special needs and associated illness home and shifts are exhausting and when you suffer from insomnia, sinusitis, chronic pain and have a ton of paperwork and physical jobs to do it is beyond desperate sometimes. Then when family just don't really get it either it can be so isolating. I do feel for you and I know others suffer worse so need to be positive about the future but it is so hard xxx