EMS + Anti-Anxiety Drugs

[Robert Michael Olson]

Is it safe? Does anyone know anybody who has ever worked as a paramedic/EMT and been on Anti-Anxiety drugs?

 

[BlueJayMedic]

I am sure plenty of people are on that medication and working in EMS as they do in other jobs in various fields. I can't imagine it is a safety issue provided it doesn't make you drowsy while on shift.

 

[Trauma Queen]

Many many people in EMS struggle with mental illness. As for medication on shift, I'm sure it depends on the type of medication.

For example, I'm pretty open about it, I have anxiety, and it can get pretty severe. I take a daily medication for it, which doesn't impair me at all, so it's safe to take when I need to work. It keeps me level. But I also have an emergency med I take in the event I have a full blown panic attack, which is something I would take outside of work, since it impairs my ability to function in ways of driving, and clouds me up. And, if I ever need to take it, and it shows up on a drug test, I have a prescription to back it up.

As long as you have a prescription and it doesn't interfere with your ability to do your job, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[EpiEMS]

Is it safe? Does anyone know anybody who has ever worked as a paramedic/EMT and been on Anti-Anxiety drugs?

I've worked with many EMTs and medics who are on or have taken SSRIs, yes, but none on regular benzodiazepines. I would imagine it wouldn't be a problem. I know that I trend toward the anxious side of things, but work doesn't stress me out...so I guess I'm lucky.

 

[Underoath87]

Sure, so long as you don't come in loaded with benzos.

 

[Robert Michael Olson]

Trauma Queen, may I ask about the medication you take?

 

[ghost02]

Trauma Queen, may I ask about the medication you take?

This is the key.

 

[medicsb]

I've been prescribed on a benzo and a TCA for 17 years. Been in EMS/medicine for 12 of those. Never had a problem, but I also had gotten pretty well adjusted to side effects before getting into EMS. I also know of many folks in healthcare who are on all sorts of anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, and/or anti-psychotics. People in healthcare rarely talk about their battles with psychiatric illness, but they get it just the same as anyone else (and as far as I know, rates are higher among those working in healthcare than the general public).

And if you care to know, I'm on clonazepam and clomipramine.

 

[Robert Michael Olson]

Without insurance,

can anyone offer a good guess as to how much counseling, and prescriptions add up to?

 

[medicsb]

The shrink (though an actual psychiatrist and not just a "counselor") that I see is 135$ for 45 minutes, but I only see him twice a year for my scripts. I used to pay for my meds out-of-pocket. One was like 5$, while the other was 30ish for a 30 days worth. Prices for meds can be found online pretty easily. The app Epocrates has prescription drug prices. My wife pays 80$ for an hour for a counselor who has a MSW.

 

[RebelAngel]

Without insurance,

can anyone offer a good guess as to how much counseling, and prescriptions add up to?

I have had an issue with anxiety on and off, unrelated to EMS. A few months ago I went to my PCP about it and now I have a prescription for 0.5 Ativan that I take only when I feel my anxiety creeping up and significantly impacting my daily life. I paid like $14 out of pocket and have had the same bottle since then. Had I have gotten the prescription filled at the closest and first pharmacy it would have been more than twice that, so I highly recommend calling around.

Ironically, I have more of an issue with tests/testing than actually running on the ambulance and squad calls.

If you belong to a church your Pastor may be a good place to start with counseling.

 

[Robert Michael Olson]

I am under the impression that you will have to get counseling prior to prescriptions

 

[NomadicMedic]

I am under the impression that you will have to get counseling prior to prescriptions

Not in America. We live in a society of, "ask your doctor if benzodiazepines may be right for you."

 

[Robert Michael Olson]

I am fortunate enough to have found a place that will work for me. Good luck to everyone who has anxiety and wants to do this job.

 

[gonefishing]

My wife an RN takes anti anxiety meds but not frequently once in a blue moon.

 

[COmedic17]

I am perscribed Xanax but not for typical "anxiety". I have problems falling asleep and staying asleep. I have tried ambien, lunesta, and pretty much all the other big brand sleep aids, but they caused me to sleep walk and I either wouldn't wake up to an alarm, or I would be overly groggy for the first half of the day. I also tried other natural remedies such as melatonin but that gave me hellacious nightmares. So I am perscribed Xanax (low dose) as basically a fast acting sedative to help me go to sleep, and if I wake up i just take another one. It's low dose and wears off quickly so I'm not groggy in the morning. Although I don't take it for anxiety, it's typically used as a "anxiety medication" (benzo). But I have never had an employer express concern over me being on it.