Drug Seeker Stories

Well I had one of those lovely drug seekers the other night. Patient said she had a kidney and was peeing prue blood. Well, I had her get a CC urine. When I went back to get her urine, I noticed her finger was bleeding and some blood spots on the sheet. And her urine was a weird pink color. So I told the doc and he had me cath her....her urine was completely clear. Of course, she tried to make up a story about how sometimes she pees blood but sometimes pees clear too. Whatever...sent her out the door...

Also had someone come in 3 times in one week who used a new name everytime. Turns out he was going to ER after ER in my city using differents names for drugs...sent him out the door and to jail.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

No story- just a question: How in the world do Vicodin addicts EVER poop?

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I have a lady that dislocates her shoulder to get some moderate sedation and a RX for percocet.

Are we coworkers? I also have a frequent flyer that comes into my ER that dislocates her shoulder and then wants narcs

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

There is no such thing as a "seeker". Just ask the ENA.

Specializes in ED.
Are we coworkers? I also have a frequent flyer that comes into my ER that dislocates her shoulder and then wants narcs

Well, we have stopped giving her narcs, usually just some etomidate follow by toradol, then an rx for ultram.

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.
I have a lady that dislocates her shoulder to get some moderate sedation and a RX for percocet.

I tore my right shoulder severely enough that it would take an open repair but because of anesthesia problems, I have chosen not to have it repaired. I use Lidoderm patches plus Voltarin Gel and that holds me most of the time, but when it dislocates sometimes, YOUCH!

I cannot imagine taking anything stronger. I'd sleep indefinitely!

My husband had foot and ankle surgery in December, 2010 which didn't heal properly. He was given every pain med except morphine and was offered that too. He ended up taking a combination of Aleve and Tramadol which strangely enough, worked well after the first few weeks and didn't knock him out.

His comment? "I have no idea why anyone who didn't have horrible pain would even bother taking narcotics at all."

My answer? Spend a week in the ER, a psych ward, or an NA meeting, and you'll have a better idea.

What scares the heck out of me is how quick orthopedists, pain specialists, and some MDs in general were and are to give him narcotics without asking him why he preferred the other combination.

Specializes in Emergency.

The only thing that works is that one, it starts with a D, sounds like Bin Laden. LOL

Specializes in ER.
\ said:
We had a regular that we wouldn't give narcs to for his "complaint of the day" he was DC'd from triage and then he walked over to our 2 story stair well and jumped! Bilat Tib/Fib fx's, said, "Now you will give me pain meds!"

Did they give him pain mess after that? LOL. Or did they just stuff him full of Torodol and Tramadol?

Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Yeah I think we rewarded him for his determination after that :-)

When he came back he had added to his care plan that he was to be escorted off the campus by security when DC'd

Patient came to ER with multiple complaints(frequent flyer) every test imaginable completed with exception of exploratory surgery. All test negative. When told he was being discharged and no meds his response ( I know my rights. I have the right to be pain free and if you do not admit me and give me x amt. morphine I will sue you and this hospital." Pt. admitted and given x amt. of morphine.

Is that really a right?

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
The only thing that works is that one, it starts with a D, sounds like Bin Laden. LOL

I say Doradol. "YEAH THATS THE ONE! It works great". Ok thats where you chart that the pt is full of ****.

Specializes in Emergency.

Every time someone gives me the "it starts with a d", I want to go all Sam Kinison on them and start screaming "SAY IT!!!! SAY IT!!!!" But I really like my job so I don't.

Specializes in Emergency.

Note to self: add Oklahoma seizure test to clinical toolbox.

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