Vertigo, shortness of breath, and a little bit of chest pain

[1Mechanic]

I hate days like today. I have two deadlines to meet at work. But, I’m all messed up. It’s hard. Very very hard to keep things going when my symptoms start becoming physical. My body is telling me no more. Everyone else just moves on like nothing is wrong.

I don’t know how I’ve done it. Working for over twenty years like this. Geez. It’s so freakin hard sometimes. Managing my symptoms and then bringing A/C back to someone that desperately needs it.

And here I go. Got to fix that HVAC unit. Then a washing machine. And I’m dizzy. I feel like I’m dying. But, I have to deal with high voltage and moving machinery. May God be with me. I will need his help to get through this one.

Thank you for listening

[peacefulandcalm Encourager]

hi, I am dizzy too. thank you for your response, back a bit ago, I hope I replied. I have shortness of breath too.

Could it be from ptsd?

I don't know.

You sound like a very kind person.

I hope it went ok today.

[1Mechanic in reply to peacefulandcalm]

hi peaceful and calm,

I’m sorry to hear you were going through it too a few days ago too. I hate days like that. And probably the worst thing about those days, at least for me, is that no matter what I do it’s always wrong or not enough. By that I mean, I’m still hurting and I can do all of these things, but I am still hurting. However, I guess what I did do helped, because I’m not quite as bad today as I was two days ago.

And to answer your question about it being related to PTSD - On my end, I can say that I am certain it is. Stress and anxiety. Whenever I feel stressed, I suffer from anxiety. My heart will jump, breathing gets shallow, hands/ legs can shake, and several more things.

Now, I know the argument can be, how do you know you’re just not having a bad day? How can it be related to PTSD. Well, I’m not going to go into detail, but my symptoms have flared back up again due to some things that I am going through. So, it’s related.

Everything worked out a few days ago. It felt good fixing those things for those people. Just seeing the smiles on that wonderful couple’s faces after I fixed their washer. That was all I needed. I didn’t make the time on the deadline. But, I got the smile. And I needed that.

[peacefulandcalm Encourager in reply to 1Mechanic]

You are very sweet....good you feel some better.

yeah, I relate a lot.

slow down and self care is what I generally think when it all is too much....

<3

[Nathalie99 Partner]

This is very tough, 1Mechanic.

I understand that you desperately need this job. Are there any options to have tasks that don't involve high voltage and moving machinery on days like this?

Maybe office work? Gardening? Something else that is safe...

I feel for you. I will pray for you so you get through your work safely...

It is extremely tough when the body just can't anymore and you need to keep on pushing. This shouldn't be like that. You should have days off when you can call in sick or go home earlier.

Do you have enough down time to unwind and de-stress, any free time at all?

Anyone for support, people around that you feel are encouraging and it helps to be around them?

I think self care is so very important.

Maybe a very difficult choice on cutting back the work hours...I know it is a very tough decision.

I hope you get through today and be safe...

[1Mechanic in reply to Nathalie99]

thanks for responding and listening.

No, my job entails a lot of that stuff. I would have to find a new profession in order to stop. I wouldn’t like it though. I enjoy turning wrenches, following the flow of electricity through devices, and things like that. Sometimes though, I just can’t. It’s hard getting through it. I don’t know how I even do it sometimes.

I got through it two days ago by making a call for help. I called my boss and he came over. He assisted me. We got it all done. Also, I stopped what I was doing. I did some self care. People don’t understand that. They’re like, “Where did he go?!??!! HES LAZY! Leaving us to do HIS work!” Sometimes they do have a point. But, they don’t understand. So I just tell them that I ate Thai food for lunch or something. And then I say, “I’m going to need a minute on this one!” They understand that…………I know. I think it’s stupid too. But, they understand that stuff. Anyways, I left, went to one of my safe places, prayed, breathed, calmed, and after about 15-20 minutes, I could safely do my job again. Especially, with the help