I would like advice or examples on how others have handled seeing a new doctor, dentist, etc. while enrolled in the nursing board monitoring program. In Kentucky we're required to give the practitioner a copy of our monitoring contract. Then they must sign a form verifying that they received the contract. They also have to sign a Prescription Monitoring Record, listing ALL meds prescribed (even if just PCN). These forms must be sent to the BON within 5 days of signature.
My problem- I get SO embarrassed explaining to a practitioner. Last year I had an abscessed molar & put it off until I was inexcruciating pain! Finally, sucked it up & went to the dentist. I told myself that I was just blowing this way out of proportion & the dentist would be professional about this subject. After all, I'm in recovery (D.O.C. -Dilauded from ED Pyxis). At that time, I had been clean for 18 months. Dental visit went well 'til the end when I pulled out my contract & explained my history. Her demeanor immediately changed & she immediately said that she wasn't giving me any narcotics. I was so embarrassed! Did she think I somehow created this tooth abscess to get pain meds? I told her that was fine, I just wanted an antibiotic & the root canal she recommended. She prescribed PCN VK & said I would need to find an endodontist for the root canal.
My symptoms improved with the antibiotic, toothache & swelling went away so guess what...never followed up with the root canal.Yes, I knew better! I should have gone. I was so humiliated that I just wanted to avoid the experience again!
Fast forward 14 months...same tooth abscessed again! I've made an appointment with a different dentist. I'm sure I'll be referred to the endodontist again (unless the tooth is no longer salvageable).
When I entered Recovery 2 1/2 years ago, I felt SO much shame! Felt so guilty for letting my family down, losing my job, etc. My IOP counselor really focused on this aspect with me. I learned to overcome feeling so shameful & have been so much happier since I embraced recovery. I'm working, have health/dental insurance, etc. But boy- that day in the dentist office, the judgmental, disapproving attitude from the dentist-took me right back to that feeling of shame!
I would like to know how others deal with telling their healthcare provider about their substance use history. Do you have to give them a copy of your contract too?Any positive or negative feedback? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
Good advice given here. Please don't cut your nose off to spite your face in the future by delaying necessary treatment such as the root canal. It is better to plan for these encounters ahead of time than to try to avoid them altogether. And congrats on your recovery!
I think every individual has to choose what is right for themselves. I am the type to stress myself *more* over not following what my monitoring agreement stipulates. This is my career, I have worked hard to keep my license and an hours worth of embarrassment is worth it's weight in gold if it means I stay in compliance.
Meeting with healthcare workers is an opportunity to educate them. And while that sucks (educating when you're supposed to be a patient) folks who have received felonies for drug possession do the same thing through the legal system with their PO. The more of us there are who are open in discussing our history with healthcare professionals the more normalized it becomes.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I think every individual has to choose what is right for themselves. I am the type to stress myself *more* over not following what my monitoring agreement stipulates. This is my career, I have worked hard to keep my license and an hours worth of embarrassment is worth it's weight in gold if it means I stay in compliance.
Meeting with healthcare workers is an opportunity to educate them. And while that sucks (educating when you're supposed to be a patient) folks who have received felonies for drug possession do the same thing through the legal system with their PO. The more of us there are who are open in discussing our history with healthcare professionals the more normalized it becomes.
Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.
You are absolutely correct, on all accounts. I also agree, that people must do what works for them, and we are all at different stages of addiction/recovery, what I did months ago may be totally different from what I do today, as I recover and accept my diagnosis. The paradigm is slowly beginning to shift in regard to the way addiction is examined and treated today. We as addicts who are also healthcare professionals can facilitate that change by addressing our addictions head-on, unabashedly, and respectfully. Addiction is such a prevalent disease these days that nearly everyone has someone in his or her family that has battled or is actively battling this affliction. Sure, we may have done some awful things during our active addiction, compromised our principles, burned some bridges, hurt the ones we love, etc, etc.....but that was THEN and this is us in active RECOVERY/remission.....there's nothing to be ashamed of, it is what it is...and I have found that the more honest I am, the better reception I receive. We are at the front lines of changing the attitude and preconceived notions of addiction....but for it to really work, we must change those ideas about OURSELVES first! Best, Tara
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caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Good advice given here. Please don't cut your nose off to spite your face in the future by delaying necessary treatment such as the root canal. It is better to plan for these encounters ahead of time than to try to avoid them altogether. And congrats on your recovery!