Re: Info for non-addicted nurses with chronic pain taking opioids

I'm so sorry. I feel like I badgered you. I'll send you my contact info separately and if the need ever arises, I can connect you with my sister. Hopefully, not, however!

I've been a registered nurse for my entire adult life. One thing that astounds me is how we in our profession are so unmerciful with one another. There are about 3 million registered nurses in the U.S. and the only advocacy for nurses seems to come in the form of labor unions. We are an aging profession. In my estimation, few occupations are as productive. Is it realistic to expect a nurse in her late 40s, 50s, and even 60s to produce as she did in her 20s and 30s? With respect to this chronic pain issue - there is no voice or advocacy that I have been able to locate. Hence, the reason for my posts - some other unlucky soul may be able to use it.

At any rate. I hope you are also able to get some pain relief. Perhaps you are already considering another job that is less physically demanding? One really great thing about nursing is the diversity of opportunity. Take care.

Re: Info for non-addicted nurses with chronic pain taking opioids

This is rather disheartening to see.

I am a nurse , albeit unemployed since I had back surgery in June, 2008 . I have been on chronic opioid therapy (Kadian) for low back pain due to degenerative disk disease for almost 2 years. I find that my cognitive functioning is not affected by this medication, unless we do a dose increase or I have to take something that is short acting for pain such as Percocet. I was still working when I began taking long acting pain medications and that was not a problem, even after we all had to do a random drug screen because the narc count was off. Of course the meds showed up but since they were prescribed (they also weren't the ones that were missing) nothing resulted from it...as far as I know anyway. I was eventually laid off from that position because I could not return to full capacity after my FMLA time was up.

However, I have been trying to find a new job for over a year now and have only had one offer, which was withdrawn after the pre-employment, post offer physical (and drug screen)... So it is possible that they withdrew the offer because of the meds, but I also have restrictions and they claimed that they could not accommodate the restrictions.

Anyway, now I have applied for grad school to get my MSN. I hope this won't become and issue then if I am still on the meds. People that know I am on the medications ask me if I am afraid of addiction. I usually respond that I don't have any fear of addiction because I only take the medication for pain. True I may develop some tolerance or physical dependence, but that is still a different issue than addiction. I don't like medications but don't know that I can face chronic out of control pain either...

Re: Info for non-addicted nurses with chronic pain taking opioids

People that know I am on the medications ask me if I am afraid of addiction. I usually respond that I don't have any fear of addiction because I only take the medication for pain. True I may develop some tolerance or physical dependence, but that is still a different issue than addiction.

I'm new to this pain experience myself, and a new grad looking for a job, to boot. I have radicular pain from a herniated disc at C6-7, not d/t any specific injury. In retrospect I now know it has been cooking for a few years, and I'm thankful it waited until I graduated before worsening. I am awaiting an appointment for an epidural steroid injection. I'll be transitioning from percocet to ultram (tramadol) this weekend.

I'm unhappy about the prognostic uncertainty. I wanted to get that 1-2 years hospital nursing under my belt, but I'm not sure this would be good for my body. And I'm not sure anyone will want to hire me. I'm now very interested in pain management; luckily, it fits nicely with my other interests.

This is just to say that I, too, have no fears of addiction. I think anyone who talks to someone in pain about addiction doesn't know what it's like to have pain. I take the medication b/c I have pain. When I don't have pain, I don't take it. I get a little bit of a euphoric buzz about 30 minutes after taking it; this goes away in the next 30 minutes. I have absolutely no urge to take more to get more of a buzz. I think this is why I don't worry about addiction. I think the oxycodone makes me a little emotional; prone to cry if talking in detail about this latest discouraging development.

Good luck to us!