Fainting?

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GUH

GUH

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So I'm an OMS-0 and was wondering if any current or former med students have had similar issues and if so, whether they were able to grow out of them.

When I was about 12, I watched a very minor surgery (keloid removal) and almost passed out. I had to lay down on the floor for a few minutes.

Fast forward to age 20, I was working in a lab with live animals. Part of my job was to process the organs harvested from rats. One day I was watching the researcher gas the animals (which were rendered unconscious but still breathing), then proceed to cut them open and remove the organs. As I was watching the animal's lungs getting cut out mid-breath, I passed out, hitting my face on a counter on my way down.
That was about four years ago. Since then I haven't had any incidents, but there also haven't been any more exposures to bloody messes.

-I saw the bodies in the anatomy labs at schools where I interviewed and this didn't seem to present any problems
-Videos of bloody stuff are fine in terms of fainting. Surgery videos, movie violence, and the like are no problem.

Will this continue to be a major problem during my medical education, or is it something that I may have outgrown or may be able to get used to? What are some strategies I can use to mitigate the risk of an embarrassing fainting incident in the OR? So far I plan to ensure that I'm hydrated, keep breathing, and to remain sitting when feasible. Of course I didn't mention this on my application or during interviews.

EDIT: maybe I should've posted this in the medical students forum. oh well
 
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lol

OMS-0


lol
 
OMS-0, premed, getting ready to start in the fall, whatever
 
At least you would know what specialties NOT to go into. If anything gruesome happens or comes in, just make a nurse handle it.
 
GUH said:
So I'm an OMS-0 and was wondering if any current or former med students have had similar issues and if so, whether they were able to grow out of them.

When I was about 12, I watched a very minor surgery (keloid removal) and almost passed out. I had to lay down on the floor for a few minutes.

Fast forward to age 20, I was working in a lab with live animals. Part of my job was to process the organs harvested from rats. One day I was watching the researcher gas the animals (which were rendered unconscious but still breathing), then proceed to cut them open and remove the organs. As I was watching the animal's lungs getting cut out mid-breath, I passed out, hitting my face on a counter on my way down.
That was about four years ago. Since then I haven't had any incidents, but there also haven't been any more exposures to bloody messes.

-I saw the bodies in the anatomy labs at schools where I interviewed and this didn't seem to present any problems
-Videos of bloody stuff are fine in terms of fainting. Surgery videos, movie violence, and the like are no problem.

Will this continue to be a major problem during my medical education, or is it something that I may have outgrown or may be able to get used to? What are some strategies I can use to mitigate the risk of an embarrassing fainting incident in the OR? So far I plan to ensure that I'm hydrated, keep breathing, and to remain sitting when feasible. Of course I didn't mention this on my application or during interviews.

EDIT: maybe I should've posted this in the medical students forum. oh well
Click to expand...

observing and participating in autopsies really helped desensitize me. at first, it freaked me out to the point of nearly fainting. after a while, however, my mind got used to it, and i feel i am much better at observing the body for what it is (as corny as that may sound).

if you are feeling up to it, call up your county's coroner/medical examiner.
 
i have the same problem

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It's a fairly common problem that a lot of people run into. It happened to me a few times when I first started working in an ER. You'll definitely grow out of it. It's hard to consciously control, but I've found that it helps to think about the details of the procedure and focus on learning or participating (if you can). If you leave your brain to wander while watching a grotesque procedure, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and empathize with the patient or get overwhelmed with how painful/gross the situation is.
 
No way to tell for sure how your mind/body will adapt to this. I think, as with most things, the more you immerse yourself the more comfortable you will become..

We had to do a female GU exam.. This was maybe five or six months into OMS-1, and I hadn't thought twice of it until we were just outside of the patient exam room and our coordinator mentioned that if any one of us should start feeling faint, we should walk out and have a seat. And.. Inception! Once that seed is planted, man.. Suddenly, I was in that room and I was conscious of every breath I took.. Then my face started feeling fuzzy.. Sweaty palms.. I fought it off and stayed in the room.. The rest was fine.

For me, personally, what makes it worse is being aware of it.. I feel like, if I expect to get worked up about something, it's only a matter of when. So, my advice to you would be to just try and not think about it.. And if you can't help it, and you feel a swoon coming on, take it.. Sit down for a minute, do your thing, then get right back up and continue observing whatever it was that flipped your switch.
 
you should watch videos of women giving births. It is probably the most gory thing I have ever watched in my life. If that doesn't desensitize you, I don't know what will
 
GUH said:
So I'm an OMS-0 and was wondering if any current or former med students have had similar issues and if so, whether they were able to grow out of them.

When I was about 12, I watched a very minor surgery (keloid removal) and almost passed out. I had to lay down on the floor for a few minutes.

Fast forward to age 20, I was working in a lab with live animals. Part of my job was to process the organs harvested from rats. One day I was watching the researcher gas the animals (which were rendered unconscious but still breathing), then proceed to cut them open and remove the organs. As I was watching the animal's lungs getting cut out mid-breath, I passed out, hitting my face on a counter on my way down.
That was about four years ago. Since then I haven't had any incidents, but there also haven't been any more exposures to bloody messes.

-I saw the bodies in the anatomy labs at schools where I interviewed and this didn't seem to present any problems
-Videos of bloody stuff are fine in terms of fainting. Surgery videos, movie violence, and the like are no problem.

Will this continue to be a major problem during my medical education, or is it something that I may have outgrown or may be able to get used to? What are some strategies I can use to mitigate the risk of an embarrassing fainting incident in the OR? So far I plan to ensure that I'm hydrated, keep breathing, and to remain sitting when feasible. Of course I didn't mention this on my application or during interviews.

EDIT: maybe I should've posted this in the medical students forum. oh well
Click to expand...

If I didnt have a friend in medical school who has had a similar problem, I would probably blow this question off.

But, simply stated, my friend used to get light headed and passed out once at the sight of needles going into someone.

He is now an MS-3, almost MS-4, has killed the boards, and is likely going into Ortho Surgery. So, from fainting at needles penetrating skin, to surgery.

It can happen, though, like they say in the fine print, I think individual results will vary.
 
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I have a similar problem for simple procedures like needle pricks and when I had a mole removed off my shoulder. I get light headed and did faint once. I found that I just need to control my breathing and I am fine, basically just remember to breath! I might still get a little wave of dizziness or uncomfortableness but then it passes. I hope with more exposure this will just get easier and easier to control.
 
I got pretty sick/almost fainted the first couple surgeries I watched. If you're going to be sick, sit your butt down. It got better as time went on. I think you'll get used to it after a while! Just don't be afraid to tell someone you're getting sick or light-headed so you don't end up dropping flat on the floor.
 
Didierdrogba said:
you should watch videos of women giving births. It is probably the most gory thing I have ever watched in my life. If that doesn't desensitize you, I don't know what will
Click to expand...

A fresh autopsy might do the trick. Watch some episodes of Dr. G for prep.
 
OP, how's this make you feel?

whats-for-dinner-dad-wooky-steak-how-is-it-its-a-little-chewy..jpg


When you pick yourself up off the floor, please accept my apology.
 
i think your only cure is experience and letting your team know that you are prone to this kind of thing. i have heard of residents fainting... students fainting when shadowing... it happens to more people than you think. i wouldn't stress about it right now.
 
I almost passed out in 5th grade biology class when we were talking about blood. I almost passed out again in college freshman zoology when we were watching a video about worm dissections -- tunnel vision, ringing ears, bodily weakness, intense sweating, etc. I've never felt sick or bothered when doing an actual dissection, only when talking about it or watching a video on it. Weird. :shrug:
 
SurgeDO said:
observing and participating in autopsies really helped desensitize me. at first, it freaked me out to the point of nearly fainting. after a while, however, my mind got used to it, and i feel i am much better at observing the body for what it is (as corny as that may sound).

if you are feeling up to it, call up your county's coroner/medical examiner.
Click to expand...

This.

On a similar note, anyone watch that British TV series called "Doc Martin" (the recent one). Its about a genius surgeon who became a GP of a small town after developing a phobia of blood? Its a very mellow/funny medical show to watch on a slow day.
 
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GUH said:
So I'm an OMS-0 and was wondering if any current or former med students have had similar issues and if so, whether they were able to grow out of them.

When I was about 12, I watched a very minor surgery (keloid removal) and almost passed out. I had to lay down on the floor for a few minutes.

Fast forward to age 20, I was working in a lab with live animals. Part of my job was to process the organs harvested from rats. One day I was watching the researcher gas the animals (which were rendered unconscious but still breathing), then proceed to cut them open and remove the organs. As I was watching the animal's lungs getting cut out mid-breath, I passed out, hitting my face on a counter on my way down.
That was about four years ago. Since then I haven't had any incidents, but there also haven't been any more exposures to bloody messes.

-I saw the bodies in the anatomy labs at schools where I interviewed and this didn't seem to present any problems
-Videos of bloody stuff are fine in terms of fainting. Surgery videos, movie violence, and the like are no problem.

Will this continue to be a major problem during my medical education, or is it something that I may have outgrown or may be able to get used to? What are some strategies I can use to mitigate the risk of an embarrassing fainting incident in the OR? So far I plan to ensure that I'm hydrated, keep breathing, and to remain sitting when feasible. Of course I didn't mention this on my application or during interviews.

EDIT: maybe I should've posted this in the medical students forum. oh well
Click to expand...

I had this problem a few months ago. I was shadowing a pathologist, and was sifting through the products of a woman's uterus from a DNC post-spontaneous abortion. I felt fine, and then I found myself thinking of all the blood, and got lightheaded. What helped was concentrating on other things in the lab for a few seconds, something not body-related (e.g., folders, papers, cabinets, etc). I was able to get the feeling to pass, and then was able to continue. I am prone to syncope anyways, and the experience of feeling lightheaded in that setting was disconcerting as well, as like you I am a prospective med student. I agree with others that over time you can get used to it, and see it as a procedure rather than think of any emotions or ickiness.
 
pre med 2014 said:
What is EM/IM? Isn't internal medicine separate specialty altogether?
Click to expand...

It's a combined residency, it certifies you in both fields. There are plenty of combined residency types with limits number like psych/ IM or FM or Peds or Neuro, or EM/ Peds, etc.
 
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