[JentheRN05]

I have been living with chronic back pain for a couple of years. I finally had an MRI on Wednesday, still waiting on the results. In either case, originally I was prescribed 5/500 Lortabs. Those didn't work after a few months, I was moved up to 7.5mg lortab and now 10mg. I purposefully did not take these at work, for fear that it would be a bad thing. I never felt anything off from taking these, in fact, it only brings my pain down to maybe a 4 (which instead of a 9 is a great improvement). In either case, my new doctor prescribed me Ultram for at work. It helps some, from a 9 to about a 6 but it's better than nothing. I also have zanaflex for bedtime. Most of these don't work fully but simply take the edge off. Before being prescribed the Ultram, there would be days were even when I swore to myself that I would NEVER take my lortab at work, I would end up taking 1/2 my prescribed dose just to bring it down to maybe a 7. I have a high pain tolerance, but when the pain is constant, and is not relieved, it is very hard to deal with. I only resorted to use of the 1/2 prescribed dose 2 times. Other times I nearly made myself sick taking ibuprofen and tylenol, which never worked at all. But I kept thinking, if I just take a couple more.....
In either case, I know the Ultram will not work indefinately, and I am at least hoping the doctor will be able to find the problem so we can figure out how to treat it. I am furthering my education asap and hope to do a non-floor job in the future.
It sucks having to work in pain, pain so bad you wonder how you will properly assess the patient, pain that is excrutiating to move a patient. Just pain in general. I feel for you grannynurse. I know your pain. Wish I had answers for you.

[button2cute]

[quote=JentheRN05]I have been living with chronic back pain for a couple of years.

I understand very much about back pain. I cannot do things like I use too. I have to do things in moderation. I cannot do things all at once or trying too. Every time I do not use moderation for the housework and activities ....the pain will increase to a ten and I am done for the rest of the day and the next. I feel you big time and we can feel the pain.

I also have zanaflex for bedtime.

I cannot get to sleep till five or six in the morning for a hour and sometimes I can get to sleep at 4 am for three hours. My back kick my butt and I take lots of meds at night to get sleep. In stead of putting me to sleep and I am so hyper you will not believe.

Most of these don't work fully but simply take the edge off.

I understand exactly what you mean.

I am at least hoping the doctor will be able to find the problem so we can figure out how to treat it.

Could you use a TENS unti while working? And the Ultratram

I am furthering my education asap and hope to do a non-floor job in the future.

I understand of not working on the floor and the constant pulling the patients and standing. I am moving off the floor myself because of my back injury that I had sustain at work. I needed t move on with my education and skills, boy I cannot wait for the new Job.

Therefore, you will feel so much better after you change jobs and have better pain control during working hours.

Oh have you tried to work every other day or work three 10 hours day and one 8?

Please let us know about the MRI's results. I have a herinated c-5,c-6, c-7, T-10, T-11, T- 12, L-4, L-5 ns he sacral area. Sometimes I cannot walk and lay in the fetal position and I fee better.

Have a great evening, hope everything will work workout.

Buttons

[medsurv]

I ended up on this site today looking for information regarding RN's using narcotics. This morning, I had a follow up appointment with my physician. I have been seen at the same military clinic for almost six years now, just two different doctors. I'm also seen annualy by my neurosurgeon. I take Oxycontin, with Norco for break thru pain. This morning, my MD was on leave, and another doctor saw me. He has decided that since I am an RN, he feels he must report me to the BRN, California.

I am so angry I can't see straight. I am the sole provider in my home for my children. I too, as some of you, have 8 herniated disks, but cannot afford to not work. I have been cleared by my neurosurgeon and FP to work, but now I see the new doctor ONE TIME, and my whole life may be about to fall apart.

I have never worked as a nurse NOT TAKING narcotics. I graduated from nursing school while taking them, I took my boards while taking them, and I started work on a VERY busy floor while taking them (no drug test). Knock on wood, I have not had any medication errors so far, and have made good decisions in the care of my patients. If you question the medication error thing, I focus only on meds when I give them, don't chat with others, and check my work twice, maybe 3 times, everytime. I hope neither you or I ever make medication errors.

It breaks my heart to see other RNs who have so little knowledge regarding pain. I really am NOT affected negatively by my meds anymore. But I am willing to admit that there may be people out there that would be no matter how much they take, no matter what their occupation. And, lets keep in mind, Benadryl, Sudafed, antidepressants . . . they all have side effects too!

The other thing I want to convey is that I have been able to work because of my meds, not unable because of them. And until today, there should never have been a concern at my work about taking narcs, (and I wouldn't do that anyway, no matter how desparate, I know my character) because I had my own medications to manage my unbearable pain.

I wish the best to all you nurses out there suffering from injuries and trying to work, and for those of you who haven't been there yet, I hope you don't ever have to go there.

[LoriAlabamaRN]

medsurv, I am sorry this is happening to you. It is such a shame.

I am also an RN with chronic pain. I broke my back six years ago, and I live with pain every day. I hardly ever take pain meds while at work, but I do take them off of work simply because otherwise it is impossible for me to sleep. I have a very high tolerance for pain, so the majority of the time I can handle it while awake (although there are times it gets unbearable even for me.) Not many people realize what a nightmare it is to constantly hurt. I truly feel for you. I have a wonderful DON who knows about my back problems, and who has told me that if I ened to take my oxycontin during my shift, it is fine with her as long as it does not impair me. Even so, I personally feel uncomfortable doing that. PM me if you ever need to talk to someone who understands what you are going through.

[jerseyboy]

Dear Medsurv,
Please check out www.painreliefnetwork.org
Contact them, perhaps they may be able to help you if you are willing to fight this. Also, perhaps you can sue the Dr. for violating your medical privacy rights.

[CaseManager1947]

I have struggled with chronic back pain (3 level disc degeneration) for over 6 years. After many bouts with PT, epidurals and trigger injections (which helped temporarily), I am now down to opioids. They are the only thing which work, but still give minimal relief. I am in so much pain, there are times, I just feel I can't go on. Now my docs are wanting me to come in to office for each refill (25 dollar copay for office visit) cha ching$$$$$. Help, this is so frustrating. I know this is a rant, sorry.

[47Nana]

Medsurv,

So sorry this has happened to you. I am in almost the same position. I am 47 yrs old and have been nursing for 20 yrs. At age 15 and 17 I had compund fx to ulna and radius resulting in nerve damage, shattered femur and fx tibia and fibula , along with pelvis, resulting in 4 surgeries, 2 months in traction, a year in a cast, bone grafts, etc. A car hit myself and someone else head on at 60 mph. We were on a motorcycle and he did not survive. When I was younger, I could tolerate the pain better, but injuries,noncompliance with wearing a lift and my age( growth plates not completed )caused my right leg to be 2" shorter than my left,resulting in scoliosis. I had intermittent acute pain, until 12 yrs ago when it became chronic. I have been on pain mgmt,Vicodin,Soma since then ,only taking as prescribed, but on one morning, 2 yrs ago, I went to work and felt strange. I was not doing pt care at the time, but my new boss unjustly turned me into the BNE. Ultimately, I sought an attorney. My doctor,whom I see every month for the last 12 yrs, performed numerous tests including a 5 hr gtt. I was found to be hypoglycemic. Now I am having to go to court because I will not accept the boards decision of intemperate use of meds. My doctor has performed at least 25 series of proliferative injections into my back, along with regular manipulative therapy in the last 12 yrs and is very angry with the board. He states that I could easily be on oxycontin or MS with the condition I have. I don't want that, I just want my name cleared. Since this occurrence 2 yrs ago, it is still not resolved and I have filed for disability. It seems ashame that we as nurse are suppose to be empathetic, yet when it comes to us having disabilities, it's not accepted. Also, I ,as you, functioned perfectly, always had good evaluations and took the medicine for so long that I didn't receive any type of high, just pain relief. Without the medication, I can not get out of the bed in the morning and have no life whatsoever. Previous to this boss, who was new, my immediate supervisors were aware of my physical disabilities and pain management. They did not agree with her judgement, but went along because of their own jobs. She just assumed because I told her I took medications that I was high. She never checked my BP,my blood sugar, nothing. She just had someone drive me home and left me there, all for having a hypoglycemic reaction. She also reported to the board that she was to check on me that evening and the next day and never did anything. So far it has cost me approximately $3,000 in atty fees and is going to cost me another $2,000 in court costs. I probably won't return to nursing, but I want my name cleared. It was unjust and unfair. There is a big difference between addiction and dependance.

I will pray for you and hope that your future gets better, I know the only thing I can do now is place it in gods hands.

[JentheRN05]

Originally Posted by teeituptom

Do you want someone under the use of narcotics driving a car.

Do you want a nurse using narcotics to control pain to take care of your family members

To be truthfull for myself I have to answer....No

I do feel sorry for your problems though. There are areas that you can go into not involving patient care though, that you can do. Insurance comapnies love haveing nurses for audits and such. So do Shysters.

As mentioned before, when the pain is controlled there is NO incompetence at all. It is NOT a high they are looking for and they do NOT get one. It is relief they are looking for and should have a right to have.
I just don't understand!

[JentheRN05]

Originally Posted by teeituptom

When you out it that way, that really is a scary thought.

I am also a chonic pain sufferer, and I also take narcs, AND I always disclose my use of them, and I have NEVER had a problem. In fact at my doctors office where i used to work, my doctor could tell when i hadn't taken my narc meds (stooping over, and holding my back) boy I tell you you'd never seen a doctor whip out his Rx pad or a 2cc syringe of toradol so fast. Normally I wouldn't need the toradol (unless it was during my cycle at which time the pain is 10x worse) and my pain was caused by a work related injury, in which at the time of injury when allowed to come back to work, I informed my supervisor and health nurse of my script and they had no problem with my taking it as long as I could function in my position without feeling any sense of being impaired. And at no time did I feel impaired, I ONLY felt some relief, not even total relief but better than immense pain that I suffer without it.

[47Nana]

Originally Posted by JentheRN05

As mentioned before, when the pain is controlled there is NO incompetence at all. It is NOT a high they are looking for and they do NOT get one. It is relief they are looking for and should have a right to have.
I just don't understand!

Thanks so much for the understanding. I have been dealing with this for a long time 30 yrs to be exact and it's nice to have educated nurses who realize the difference between addiction and dependance.
Have a wonderful day, cause you made mine a better day. Thanks again