SCARED-stopping meds that make me a good RN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So I have ADHD... but for years I have been taking Adderol and NOW I am actually really good at my job.

.... BUT nowI am pregnant. I can no longer take my meds.

I already notice I am failing in every aspect of my life. I told my bosses prior to conception that the lack of meds would drastically impair my abilities to be a good employee. Everyone thought i was being self conscious ... but now it is starting...

I mess up more and more... I make mistakes in my schedule, I have been tarty, I am unorganized. I am only 2 months along... and have 7 to go before I deliver.

I am afraid I may lose my job. ADHD is bad enough... but pregnancy exacerbates my normal crappy ability to focus EVEN MORE!!

Does anyone know if pre-exisiting mental health conditions that are controlled by medications are protected by the Disability Act?? Thus far every thing I read is vague... and I'm really starting to think I made a huge mistake trying to have a baby.

I need my job. I am the "bread winner" in my marriage... and I need my insurance, 300+hr of sick leave and my +300 hrs of family medical leave. I hate I have worked so hard saved and prepped for this and they "could" just fire me when I am off my meds. I know I suck at EVERYTHING when I am unmediated. I am trying my best.

I am just upset and scared.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I am not an attorney but I cannot see that taking a drug that might harm your baby or cause you to harm a patient is an improvement in your situation. Perhaps you need to talk to a psychiatrist about what is the safe thing to do. I wish you a healthy pregnancy

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Have you discussed your concerns with your prescribing physician and obstetrician? There may be alternatives that are safe and help you function. Even without a psychiatric condition, pregnancy hormones can affect life dramatically. Each individual is different.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

Here in California, anytime one of my coworkers are pregnant, they immediately file for protected Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Intermittent FMLA covers them for "sick days".

You could talk to human resources and see if there are options for you.

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you need to discuss this with your OB. There are many studies that should be talked about with adderrall and pregnancy.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Please take this to your medical care team. This is NOT the place to get answers for your medical situation. Best wishes and congratulations.

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Talk to your OB and HR representative. Internet is not the place.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
I am not an attorney but I cannot see that taking a drug that might harm your baby or cause you to harm a patient is an improvement in your situation. Perhaps you need to talk to a psychiatrist about what is the safe thing to do. I wish you a healthy pregnancy

Wait a second. This sounds like you are saying she shouldn't work when she is taking her adderall as prescribed. Is that what you meant?

OP, I agree with previous posters. I would bring this to your midwife/OB and get their opinion. Some women do take stimulants throughout pregnancy. There is an increased risk of lower birth weight and some other adverse outcomes, but no evidence of congenital malformation or cognitive impairment. There are also other, non-stimulant meds that might help control your symptoms during pregnancy.

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Call your OB and mental health provider. Discuss your concerns and problems with them. Together they might be able to come up with a compromise that everyone can live with, and that will help you at work.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

FMLA is definitely applicable to 'protect' you from being terminated due to absence, but it has absolutely no relevance if job performance is at issue. ADA requires an employer to make 'reasonable accommodation' for an employee's functional challenges - like adaptive equipment. I would advise OP to be pro-active and up-front... discussing the situation with her supervisor & HR before a situation arises in which they decide to terminate due to performance issues. Maybe they could arrange some sort of temporary assignment in a non-patient care role until she is able to safely medicate once more.

At any rate, best wishes & sincere hopes that a solution is available to decrease OPs stress & contribute to a happy pregnancy.

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