Taking pain medications while working?

Nurses General Nursing

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I got a root canal today, and I work tomorrow. The dentist gave me a script for Norco10/325mg...I was a bit surprised at the high dose, but then I understood why after my face was no longer numb. I took a pill and it made me a bit dizzy, and I sort of feel like I'm floating... but knocked out all the pain. I think I can work just fine (without the pain). Is it ok to do this?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Dizzy and a floating feeling (that's high).. No, I would call out until I no longer needed the meds.

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Specializes in med surg.

No you cannot legally work. It is considered working under the influence and you can lose your liscense for it. Just like if you were driving and taking a narcotic, you would be charged with a DUI. be safe and stay home.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

By the way..it's Norco..not Narco

and what you are describing is definitely a "high"...there is a reason it's called "feeling NO PAIN".......

You would be impaired and that is a violation of the nurse practice act. So either stay home and take the Norco, or go to work, but do not medicate...try an NSAID...you should be ok 24 hours after the root canal anyway.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

If you were a patient and your nurse said she was on pain pills and felt dizzy and like she was floating would you let her care for you?

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

No and it scares me that you would even ask.

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Specializes in PCU.

Nope. Best would have been to allow a few days off post-recup time. However, be safe, stay at home, and go back when no longer on the pain meds. :uhoh3:Worst thing you could do to yourself and others is go to work under the influence.

After surgery, I made sure I had a few days off before going back to gauge where I was and how I was handling myself off pain meds. Next time, make sure you have scheduled accordingly.

Hope you feel better soon! :)

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Wise words from wise people. Allnurses rocks

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I would work in pain or stay home. Some people can take Norco and function fine, but you don't sound like one of them.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

If you would have just taken it and didnt act high then i think you'd be fine. And getting a DUI from taking a 10mg hydro? not me

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

I've had many root canals and they shouldn't cause so much pain that requires norco the next day. I would find a new dentist IMHO.

You really think your BON would approve of taking pain pills at work if they made you feel floaty? Would you want a nurse like that taking care of you or a loved one? Really? is all I can say.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Psychiatric.

It would be better for you to call of and use a sick day. As a nurse, you probably know that everyone has a different tolerance for pain medication. If any of your co-workers or patients complain that you appear under the influence,you can be called for a random drug test, be reported to the board and end up in a monitoring program if you have one in your state. The board isn't gonna want to hear about your pain or the fact that you had a root canal. Your judgement will be questioned and you will probably be asked why you didn't just stay home if you were in enough pain that required you to take a narcotic. It's only my opinion...

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