Drug Seekers

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi I am new to the site. I know there are threads out there about drug seekers. But i am interested to hear some of you drug seeker stories.:yes:

Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
I grow weary of these posts and I will tell you why, I think the drug seeker label is way over used. Anyone anymore coming to the ER with nausea and vomiting is considered a drug seeker. I had several bad years medically. I have epilepsy, fibro, and I had gastropariesis for awhile. Want to talk about vomiting where absolutely nothing helps. At my worst, I weighed 90 pounds. Normally, I'm around 150. I was constantly having seizures. I was a mess. My gastro told me no NSAIDs anymore. They had eaten a hole in my stomach. Lower scale pain meds no longer work on me. Because of damage to my liver at the time, I was allowed very small amounts of acetaminophen. But hey I'm a drug seeker? No. When I would have a seizure, off to the ED I would go for concussion checks. One time I couldn't get the after headache and vomiting to go away. Because it was my second trip to the ED in a couple days, the doc assumed I was there for drugs. No. I wanted some type of relief! So yeah, after awhile, I got crappy about it. My head hurt and I was tired of vomiting. I didn't need to be questioned. I wanted some relief and to get the heck home and back in bed. Please, stop assuming people are drug seekers. Until you walk a mile in someone else's shoes, you don't know the battles they are facing.

On a side note, when I finally got on the right meds, my world changed. But it took years of trial and error work. I haven't been to an ED in over 3 years now. Last time, I almost died from unchecked pneumonia because I didn't want to deal with the hassle and attitudes. Please give your patients compassion and understanding.

I am sorry for all of your awful experiences! I agree that we sometimes become jaded and are quick to label.

I just had this conversation with a co-worker today. People that come in complaining of fibromyalgia pain often get treated like drug seekers, but because so many people not being legitimate have ruined our perception of it.

It's so hard to figure out if people have ulterior motives, which is sad in itself that we even have to wonder.

We have one woman that comes in all the time, will wait until she has new nurses or doctors and plays them like a string!

Again, I am sorry that you were not treated so fairly in some of your experiences. People make it really hard for us to be compassionate sometimes!

sharing my belief and that of my preceptor and the ED crew, it is irritating when people cannot take ANY pain whatsoever. I asked one lady "if 10 was same as being burnt alive, what is your pain" and she goes "9" with most peaceful, non-stressed face. I am going, really? you people **** me off. The public in general can get access to pain meds b/c docs prescribe norco like candy and you bet they will pop them pills like eminems. It only took a few drug-seeking behaviors (ie: yelling NURSE!!, constantly pressing call light, claiming to be allergic to tylenol and toradol, verbally aggressive, screaming, typical fake sickle cellers, etc) from couple people to get me sick and tired of anyone who demonstrates that behavior, and I bet a lot of people share the same feeling.

One of couple things that I would love to see near extinction or national shortage of is IV pain medicine so docs won't prescribe them as often.

Specializes in ICU.
sharing my belief and that of my preceptor and the ED crew, it is irritating when people cannot take ANY pain whatsoever. I asked one lady "if 10 was same as being burnt alive, what is your pain" and she goes "9" with most peaceful, non-stressed face. I am going, really? you people **** me off. The public in general can get access to pain meds b/c docs prescribe norco like candy and you bet they will pop them pills like eminems. It only took a few drug-seeking behaviors (ie: yelling NURSE!!, constantly pressing call light, claiming to be allergic to tylenol and toradol, verbally aggressive, screaming, typical fake sickle cellers, etc) from couple people to get me sick and tired of anyone who demonstrates that behavior, and I bet a lot of people share the same feeling.

One of couple things that I would love to see near extinction or national shortage of is IV pain medicine so docs won't prescribe them as often.

So, you think that the people who are calm are drug seekers, as the people who are crappy about their pain? This kind of thinking demonstrates my point exactly. If I was nice, there is no way I was in pain, but if I was in a bad mood about my pain, then I was a diifficult patient. What exactly is the correct response for you in particular when someone is in pain? Because that's what we are talking about here. If someone doesn't respond the way you deem appropriate then they are wrong. Glad you don't make decisions on who gets meds and who doesn't. You need to understand it's like grieving. Everyone is different and reacts differently. Also many people in chronic pain are grieving. Grieving the loss of their life they way they knew it. They are in pain, can't spend time with family and friends like they used to, most friends just go away because they can't deal, most activities they used to do are gone. Sometimes you need to get into the psyche of the patient. A kind nurse goes a long way with a chronically ill patient. Just ask how they are dealing or feeling in a compassionate tone. Even if you are rolling your eyes on the inside try to understand what they are going through. My gastro doc would just look at me and say you've been through hell this year. I'm sorry for that. I immediately relaxed and felt like he was there to help. I relaxed and let my guard down so he could do his job. This is how it should work. Not preconceived notions that many have.

Specializes in orthopedics, ED observation.

Honestly, in my limited experience, I've gotten fairly good at telling when someone is in pain - there is a look about them, and usually when given the prescribed dose of whatever there is some relief (even if not complete) noted. However, when your 20/10 pain is accompanied by a relaxed demeanor, demands for a specific medication and dosage while visiting calmly w/ someone else (either present on on the phone) I tend to be a little suspicious, especially when no change in strength or severity of pain is seen by me, or reported by the patient and the patient has also refused other comfort measures - ice pack, O2, position change, whatever.

I understand that some medications work differently for different individuals, and that patients w/ chronic pain have usually built a tolerance (or intolerance ie. the NSAIDS) to some meds but I have enough experience to know when an anti-inflammatory is usually going to be more effective than a narc. However, as I've told many patients over the years, I'm not going to not treat your pain. But, I may not be able to completely relieve it. I wish more people understood that there sometimes is a limit to what we can medicate w/out causing other problems d/t the side effects of the drug being administered!

And don't, for the love of Pete, tell me that you are allergic to Tylenol, or that it does nothing for you and then demand Percocet.

but having compassion for, and not laughing at/about are not the same thing. you can laugh, to save your own sanity, and still have compassion, and why should anyone have much compassion for the person who threatens their life? or refuses to do anything to help themselves?

In my view dealing with drunks and substance abusers is part of working in the ED. When people get too caught up in that drama and begin experiencing negative emotions about those patients it might be a sign that burn out or other issue is at play. Those patients are, have been, and will continue to be a staple group of frequent fliers for the ED. Forever. No matter what you or I think.

If I can't find compassion for young unmarried women in labor I shouldn't work in L&D,

If I can't handle crying and screaming children I shouldn't work in pediatrics,

If I can't tolerate walking into a cluttered filthy home to provide nursing care I shouldn't work in home health,

If I can't find compassion for those who suffer from addictions and substance abuse I probably shouldn't work in the ED.

I know this thread is olddddddd. from a year ago. I just wanted to add something, I can totally understand why you, as nurses, would think there is no humor in drug seeking in the ER. I look for stories like this cause I find humor in the things that DSers do. The stupid things they say, thinking no one will know what theyre up too... I feel so bad for those who have to deal with them..

+ Add a Comment