Attending class on pain meds

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Specializes in student; help!.

I've managed to hork my neck again. This time I was just walking around the kitchen and all of a sudden, bam! I think it's a pinched nerve.

Anyway, would you consider going to class (no pt contact) after taking pain meds? Ibuprofen helps a bit but really doesn't cut it for long. I have check-offs tomorrow, so I need to be able to move freely both for my end, and as the "pt" for my partner. I can't reschedule.

Do I just limp in and do the best I can, or take a half dose and give it a try? Either way, I'm going to be limited, either physically or slower because of the depressive effects of the meds. Bah. Don't get old, people. It's not for the weak.

eta: 2.5 mg oxycodone with apap is the half dose, fwiw.

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Specializes in ED.

I jacked up my neck/shoulder area yesterday myself. I had to work 7p-7a and it wasn't pretty.

I would take the meds, grab a diet coke or coffee and go to class. I hate missing class but I hate being in pain too.

and yes, getting old is NOT for sissies!

m

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Specializes in student; help!.

Yeah, I figure if I'm going to be in pain anyway, might as well be on campus while I suffer.

I wonder if it's leftover from rearranging my hives yesterday. So odd, one minute fine, next minute NOT.

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If you would drive with this medication in your system and not give it a second thought, I'd say take the meds and good luck on your check-off!

But, if you're one to get loopy on just a little bit of medication, I'd try more OTC meds...

However, if it's prescribed, then you should be covered anyway. We've got a few students on phentermine (diet meds) and nothing has been said to them from the instructors.

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I'd take them. Especially if you know how you react to them.

Sorry for the pain in the neck. I have chronic issues with it, it's horrible. :( I agree about getting old. Where were you 10 years ago with that advice?! Young ones take note. ;)

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Specializes in student; help!.

I took half tonight while I was making dinner. I didn't burn myself or the food, and after I ate, I felt much less loopy. So I'll take it first thing tomorrow, eat a big breakfast, and I should be fine. It made a HUGE difference. I don't know what I did this time. Last time, which was this month (boo, September!), I managed to injure myself sleeping. So I have a track record of unaware self injury, apparently. Sheesh. I don't even have a good story to go with it.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I've managed to hork my neck again. This time I was just walking around the kitchen and all of a sudden, bam! I think it's a pinched nerve.

Anyway, would you consider going to class (no pt contact) after taking pain meds? Ibuprofen helps a bit but really doesn't cut it for long. I have check-offs tomorrow, so I need to be able to move freely both for my end, and as the "pt" for my partner. I can't reschedule.

Do I just limp in and do the best I can, or take a half dose and give it a try? Either way, I'm going to be limited, either physically or slower because of the depressive effects of the meds. Bah. Don't get old, people. It's not for the weak.

eta: 2.5 mg oxycodone with apap is the half dose, fwiw.

I have, I have chronic back and pelvis pain I am being treated for and I have a high tolerance to pain meds, I have 7.5 mg percocet and it touches the pain enough to make me functional but doesn't knock me out or anything like that. I always have the pain but I take this when it's exacerbated. I have taken it many time while in class. Particularly this one class where the chairs are really bad and we are there all day. Even with the suppressing effects, I do better once I have taken it in those cases because I can listen to what is being said rather than sitting there trying to take deep breaths quietly and trying to tune out the pain.

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if you dont normally take pain meds, take half of a 5mg. and EAT! just like you said, eat a huge breakfast. you said you tested yourself cooking dinner- you'll be fine in check offs! i think it would be worse for you to hurt yourself in school than be on a prescription medicine.

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Specializes in student; help!.
I have, I have chronic back and pelvis pain I am being treated for and I have a high tolerance to pain meds, I have 7.5 mg percocet and it touches the pain enough to make me functional but doesn't knock me out or anything like that. I always have the pain but I take this when it's exacerbated. I have taken it many time while in class. Particularly this one class where the chairs are really bad and we are there all day. Even with the suppressing effects, I do better once I have taken it in those cases because I can listen to what is being said rather than sitting there trying to take deep breaths quietly and trying to tune out the pain.

Our chairs SUCK, and I got this thingy called a bactivator and man alive, it's making a difference. It's basically a couple of air-filled bladders in a ... what, a folder. you sit on it and it keeps you moving. It doesn't look like it could POSSIBLY make a difference, but it sure does.

I took my half dose, did the check-off, and passed though I forgot a couple of things. Nothing critical though. Yay! And I go to the chiro today to be whalloped. Mmmm. Can't wait.

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