Nursing/Nursing School while on pain meds?

Specialties Pain

Published

I was prescribed Gabapentin a few months ago. 300 mg, one with each meal and two before bed. I'm also prescribed tramadol 50 mg that I also take before bed.

I've been taking this for chronic lower back pain along with numbness and tingling in both of my legs. This has been going on for 2+ years. I've seen multiple doctors and I've gotten a different answer each time. My pain specialist said that my leg pain is sciatica but I currently do not have a legitimate diagnosis. But onto my question, can I be in a nursing program or even practice nursing at all while on these meds? The tramadol like I said I only take when I go to bed, and I have built up a tolerance to the gabapentin like my pain specialist told me to. I'm not impaired at all while on these meds. I'm an alternate to the program I applied to and I'm just worried that all of this is going to ruin being a nurse for me :cry:

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

The drugs you mention shouldn't be a problem.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Neither are narcotic and even if they were, you have a prescription so there should be no problem! As long as you feel you can work safely while taking them you should be fine. Just always disclose when asked.. We had a physical form on admission to the nursing program where a doctor had to list any medications we took and why!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Neither are narcotic and even if they were, you have a prescription so there should be no problem! As long as you feel you can work safely while taking them you should be fine. !

I had a few friends who had to take narcotic pain meds while in school. (And still take them now as nurses) as long as you know how they will affect you, I don't see there being a problem as long as you aren't specifically prohibited from taking them.

I had dental work done and was prescribed Tylenol-3. I took a dose on a day I didn't work just to make sure it didn't make me feel tired or "off". It didn't.

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Ultram is a controlled substance, however, if you have a prescription then there should no problems. Just be honest with them.

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