Got a hiatal hernia and thinking about quitting
Long story short, I'm a jr PM. Other things in my life and work gave me so much stress that I got GERD and a hiatal hernia. (stomach is fucked up and pushes on your nerve, resulting in physical and mental issues) I feel that I cannot do my job anymore and working in markets will be detrimental to my health. I'm not joking when I say any stress feels like a hot rusty knife.
Heartbreaking because I worked very hard to get here only to get a hernia. Was thinking about sell side, but perhaps leaving finance behind would be best for me. Any helpful advice?
No advice but I feel for you, had a similar condition and it sucks.
Felt like almost like a heart attack sometimes
on another note, dr. told me that caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, acidic foods all contribute
I developed stress induced tinnitus, which is some what common for stressed sell-side bankers. I hear a permanent ringing noise in my right ear when everything is quiet. AKA I can never hear complete silence again :)
If you're making really good money and you can absolutely no longer take the stress.. then my advice is to start putting in less effort into work (half ass it) and try to coast for as long as you can. Stop caring too much about your work. Don't hit deadlines that will stress you out and make a good excuse of why you couldnt meet it. When your rope is running out, apply for a lax job that doesn't give you a huge pay cut.
If you're interested in the sell-side, i'd chose a less stressful group. avoid M&A at all costs. Perhaps a strong ECM group that has historically had no problems getting deals. OR equity research since you're already a PM.
I have tinnitus too, likely due to the stress/over-caffeinated/lack of sleep. I think what he is describing is a lot more serious than tinnitus, although tinnitus can be really destructive to someone as well. My advice would be to put your health first. There's nothing more important in life than your health. If you are financially capable, maybe take a break. Try to change your lifestyle. Like someone else said, cut the caffeine, cut the alcohol, change diet, exercise, get your eyes away from the screen and the terminal. If after a year, you feel better, you can always aim to come back again. I get it, it won't be the same. But trust me your health really is the most important thing you got.
Sorry to hear.
I would consider long-only asset management or private wealth. I think in general it's a lot less stressful, even compared to sell-side.
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Thank you.
I'll talk to my boss and see if I can take some time off to figure out if I can manage this.
Hernias and GERD more common than you may think. No doubt stress is a factor but it would be a shame if you upended you’re career only to realize it happens to people everywhere. I’d lean toward focusing on the medical aspects of it (surgery, recovery etc) and not connecting it to career choice as much.
my hernia is permanent and I'm not a candidate for surgery
Ah OK. Well regardless, I know a few people in their 30s who are generally fit and healthy but with hernias and some they say is connected to it. All 3 of my usual golf crew actually. So, just saying consider the commonality of it when deciding if it says something about stress in AM. Good luck
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