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Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
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suvenR
designer mutt
Member since 5/05 4239 total posts
Name:
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Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
I just went to my doctor for a PPD test (the TB test).
I've never had a positive one, and I'm assuming this one won't be positive, but...
Can I still request chest XRays instead of future PPD tests? I was hysterically crying in the doctor's office because I'm afraid of needles.
She even said that if I need future needles, she'll prescribe a tranquilizer and I'll have to take it an hour before I come in...
SO, what's the likelihood that my new job will allow me to do the X-ray instead of the PPD test??
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Posted 2/3/07 1:05 PM  |
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lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
I used to work in HR at a hospital. The PPD test is a very big deal and we used to keep track of each employee to make sure they were in compliance each year. I've never heard of anyone asking for an alternate approach, or if a chest x-ray would even be a clinically appropriate replacement.
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| Posted 2/3/07 2:27 PM |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
Posted by lilacwine
I used to work in HR at a hospital. The PPD test is a very big deal and we used to keep track of each employee to make sure they were in compliance each year. I've never heard of anyone asking for an alternate approach, or if a chest x-ray would even be a clinically appropriate replacement.
I agree with this. I dont think that the x-ray would be able to replace the PPD. The only time that you don't have to get another PPD is if you have had a positive one in the past, but I dont recommend lying about that just to get out of the needle. I believe that only if you have active TB does it show up on a chest xray, but I am not 100% sure on that, so you could theoretically have a positive PPD and a neg chest x ray. I dont think there is any way to get around this, the law requires this I believe. If you need to take the tranquilizer before you go, then do it if it helps. Another thing might be if you can ask them for EMLA cream. This cream will numb the skin and you wont feel the needle. It has to sit on the skin for an hour before it will work fully, but it is a better option than taking a tranquilizer.
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| Posted 2/3/07 3:05 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
Im gonna be blunt here and say...
ONE- Maybe the jobs not worth it. You really do seem to have a serious fear here and its been on yourmind for a while, and seems consuming. Maybe it is too much to handle?
And two- IF you really cant do that, you can seek counseling for a specific phobia, and likely be MUCH better by the time you need it again next year?
Not sure if you plan to have kids in the future, but if you get Pregnant for example, there are a ton of reasons you might need shots and the intial blood work for Pregnancy is about 14 vials and you cant take a tranqulizer ..Its 100X worse then a TB test.
I dont know how you would go through life with this, I would say try to find a way to conquer it.
I imagine its very very rough, I wish you luck whatever you choose 
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| Posted 2/3/07 5:15 PM |
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suvenR
designer mutt
Member since 5/05 4239 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
Posted by dm24angel
Thanks, Donna. Yes, I do want to have kids, so I know I need to get over this. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I seem to get WORSE as I get older. I remember in high school, I had a brief Lupus scare. They were doing blood work on me ALL THE TIME. It got to the point that I didn't care anymore. I guess I just kept praying that each new test would be good news. And, then it finally was.
About a year after that, I had to get an MMR vaccine and I passed out cold. Two years ago, I got hurt and needed a Tetanus shot- I was a sobbing mess.
Then today. My G-d, it was unreal. As soon as I crossed the threshold to the doctor's exam room, I burst out crying. I just kept sobbing and saying "I don't know what's wrong with me. This isn't normal."
That was when the doctor said I could try to see if they'd accept an X-Ray instead, or I could take the Tranquilizer. But, she said I should take the shot because I'll need to get used to it if I want to have kids.
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| Posted 2/3/07 5:36 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
I agree with Donna, there is a specific type of therapy called systematic desensitization that is very effective for specific phobias. I really think you would benefit from it and it will help you in the future. Needles are something that come up often.
Good luck.
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| Posted 2/3/07 5:56 PM |
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BaroqueMama
Chase is one!
Member since 5/05 27530 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Question for nurses/doctors/healthcare workers
Posted by suvenR
Posted by dm24angel
Thanks, Donna. Yes, I do want to have kids, so I know I need to get over this. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I seem to get WORSE as I get older. I remember in high school, I had a brief Lupus scare. They were doing blood work on me ALL THE TIME. It got to the point that I didn't care anymore. I guess I just kept praying that each new test would be good news. And, then it finally was.
About a year after that, I had to get an MMR vaccine and I passed out cold. Two years ago, I got hurt and needed a Tetanus shot- I was a sobbing mess.
Then today. My G-d, it was unreal. As soon as I crossed the threshold to the doctor's exam room, I burst out crying. I just kept sobbing and saying "I don't know what's wrong with me. This isn't normal."
That was when the doctor said I could try to see if they'd accept an X-Ray instead, or I could take the Tranquilizer. But, she said I should take the shot because I'll need to get used to it if I want to have kids.
I definitely suggest seeking help with the issue. You seriously feel like a pin cushion by the end of your pregnancy, and the last thing you want to be during pregnancy is anxious for anymore reasons than you already are. In the meantime, it will help save you a lot of anxiety over this job, as well.
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| Posted 2/3/07 6:14 PM |
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