any nurses/nursing students on methadone?

[milksteak]

Hi everyone,

I will be starting an ADN program next week and was SOOOO worried that my methadone maintenance status was going to be a problem. I haven't heard anything at all from the program and I think if I was going to hear any negative feedback, I would have by now (It's been 2 months since they found out). I didn't try to hide it or anything.. it says it right on the front of my physical sheet and I also put in a letter stating my recovery. I was put on methadone because in the state of massachusetts, when you are pregnant an addict, you can't detox. Unfortunately, I had relapsed a week before I found out I was pregnant.. I keep looking back and thinking "What if I didnt relapse". But my son is perfectly healthy, beautiful and so intelligent. He didn't withdraw at all (Thank God!) from the methadone. I've been voluntarily detoxing for the past 6 months and hope to be off in a year or two.

I wanted to hear feedback from any other students or nurses that are on methadone or have been on methadone. Were you perceived differently at clinicals or by your fellow employees? Was it an issue? How long have you been on it?

Thanks guys!

-christine

[iwanna]

Unfortunately, my daughter is returning to methadone clinic. She tried to do without it. She was extremely fatigued and had boy aches. I don't know, if it was long term withdrawal or effects of Seroquel that she is taking.

She lost her job. And, has started taking opiates again to get energy to things done. I did not want her to return to methadone. I did agree with Adderall, as she does have documented ADD. Unfortunately, the dr. started her at a low dose, so she still went out to get opiates. I feel like she is going backwards. She is returning to clinic without my blessing. But, that is her decision. I just told her that I am not going out of my way to give her rides early in the morning. She should have had take home privileges at the clinic before.. she had them a few times. She always made excuses why she lost take homes. I knew the truth was that she was positive for THC.

I was so proud of her for her deciding not to go back to clinic after she was out of jail. But, if that is what she has to do, then so be it. I just feel bad because whenever she goes to ER or somewhere and has to state her meds, they really treat her with such rudeness. People can be quite judgmental.

She would like to take CNA classes, but Idk, if she should check into state BON for that. I wonder if she would be allowed to work as CNA while being on methadone. PA in itself is not a methadone friendly state.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

She would like to take CNA classes, but Idk, if she should check into state BON for that. I wonder if she would be allowed to work as CNA while being on methadone. PA in itself is not a methadone friendly state.

She should definitely check with the BON (do it anonymously by e-mail) to see if the methadone will be an impediment to getting CNA certification. Or she can look for jobs that don't require CNA certification.

Unfortunately, even if the PA BON is OK with it, employers may not be. Methadone (like suboxone) is one of those drugs that employers don't like seeing in a UDS or in an employee's medical history, even though it is legal.

[somany?s]

I am a CNA in PA.. On Methadone and was never tested for drugs. I also did not disclose such info. I also have a criminal record from 8 years ago. That is what I had an issue with when it came to getting hired. I had a good work history and references but as soon as the crim background check came thru I wouldn't hear back. I am now waiting for the PA BON to get back to me about being on Methadone and taking the PN NCLEX. Of course the school wants my money and will tell me anything to get me to go there. I took advice and went straight to the BON. I can't wait for an answer and will keep you updated.

[elkpark]

Just wondering, why does one have to stay on methadone for so long?

People don't "have" to -- they choose to. There are two different modalities of methadone treatment -- using methadone to taper down slowly off the dependency and eventually be completely clean, and "methadone maintenance therapy" (MMT), in which the dose remains constant and there is no intent or attempt to wean the person off the narcotics, just substitute the legal, longer-acting opioid for the illicit opioid.

[michirn]

elkpark,

No actually it's because withdrawal from Methodone is so long and awful that they usually can't live like that and run back to opiates. I've heard people rant and rave about wishing they'd never started Methadone it's so bad.

You sound like you're almost sneering in your statement. I'm not sure if Methadone gets people high. Even if there is a high initially the clinic would have to keep increasing your dose and they don't do that. Suboxone on the other hand does not get you high at all. Not only that it blocks your ability to feel any other opiates you take if you fall off the wagon and try to use while on it. It has a 36 hour half life and withdrawal will start in about 28 hours after the last dose. Withdrawal, think about the worst flu you ever had and then times it by 50. You wish for death, it's THAT bad.

IWANNA, try to encourage your daughter to give Suboxone another try. My husband has been on it and clean for two years. He describes it as, "it makes me feel like I was never an addict to begin with."

My heart cries for you, I can't imagine watching the people you love so much go through this. As a mother ugh...I hope you don't find ways to blame yourself. I know I would be doing exactly that. My husband and I both have had addiction issues with prescription pain meds and I'm terrified now that my son is 16 and has admitted to smoking weed he will eventually progress to something stronger. I talk to him about it almost daily I'm so scared.

[michirn]

Oh, I read an article once that criticized methadone clinics for their tactics in tapering dosage to wean patients off methadone. The article said they do it very rapidly so the person suffers and gets back on a maintenance dose because it's too awful. They do this because it keeps them steadily funded. It was probably ten years ago that I read that article so I'm not sure if things have changed since.

[elkpark]

I wasn't sneering -- Iwas just trying to answer the previous poster's question based on what I know from almost 30 years of working inpsych and substance abuse. There are two separate approaches to using methadone, as I noted; the slow taper approach, with the goal of getting the individual entirely off opioids, and MMT, in which there is no goal of getting the person off the opioids, but just substituting the dependence (as implied by the word "maintenence" in the name). I realize that lots of people aren't aware of this, or of the difference between the two modalities. But I did not mean to imply anything further in my response, certainly not anything negative.

[FutureHope17]

I could really use some help or advice on this topic myself. I was fired on 2012 for diverting and after that started on MMT and let me tell u it was/is a lifesaver for me. It gave me the help I needed to work through my demons. I was told I could work if a psych doc cleared me that was in June 2013 and to my surprise he did!! I thought I would be able to work, well needless to say the monitoring program I am involved in didn't like this answer and decided to send me to a different doctor who is anti-methadone much like the rest of the ignorant people in this world. He and the program said I have to wait until I had 6 months left on taper and then I could work upon successful re-evaluation. Need less to say I was at about 150mg and in nine months am now down to under 30. I have had to be strong and deal with lots of issues and don't know if I will ever feel quite "normal" again off of methadone but it is worth a try. anyway they told me yet again that I now have two choices get cleared by a new doctor or wait until I am completely off and tack on three months of clean drug screens then I don't need to get evaluation by doctor I can just start working again. I am completely lost by all this how can they keep changing everything as they go along? its complete bs. When I called to update they said there is no reason you can't work as long as a doctor clears you, well one alreDy did???? and I have a facility where I know the don and is willing to hire me methadone and all. I don't think I can wait much longer I've already lost everything and had to move in with family, we are going on two years because the monitoring program has a personal dislike of methadone. Anyone have any advice or "constructive" help, ie I am not interested on negative comments about methadone from uneducated people and btw I am new here

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

... I have had to be strong and deal with lots of issues and don't know if I will ever feel quite "normal" again off of methadone but it is worth a try...

Hi FutureHope17-

I won't address your licensure issues at this point except to say that if you end up getting an unfair deal, you won't be the first or the last. I got clean in 2004 and I am still having my past held against me by prospective employers.

What I wanted to share with you is that getting off methadone is absolutely "worth a try." For most of my life, I couldn't imagine feeling good without a mood altering chemical in my body.

I feel better now than I ever could have imagined, and you can too. You are worth it!

Best wishes in your struggles.

Catmom :paw:

[Twoyearnurse]

Hey and welcome! I can't speak for the monitoring program, but as an ex opiate addict myself I will say that you will feel "normal" again. It is a new normal though- I feel better with the support I've received than I ever did even before the opiates. A lot of that had to do with the idea that I am certain this is a disease, and that I have had this disease my entire life. I have always and will always wake up in panic- I will always worry needlessly. I will always feel a step behind the rest of the world. All that means to me now is that I will always have to wake up and work through it, will always need to consciously stop myself from worrying, I will always have to remind myself that I am not behind. The difference is that all these symptoms are tolerable because I know they are treatable if I put the time into it.

You are amazing to deal with all the frustrations that keep coming your way. It shows a lot about your character and recovery.

I am one who believes that MMT is not a bad thing, everyone has a different treatment for their illness. Just like some diabetics must take Insulin and some can treat themselves through diet changes alone. I am fortunate that I can treat my illness through lifestyle change :). I truely hope that at the end of your taper and some time after that that you are able to do the same, not all of us can. Welcome to the site!

[FutureHope17]

Found some interesting info on a case in pa where a nurse is suing the BON for taking her license because they found out she was on methadone for 20 years. Its quite interesting. Apparently they have a "secret" policy that people aren't supposed to know about and will not let nurses practice on methadone even though it is illegal. It is a violation of the American with disabilities act and the rehabilitation act. And if a doctor clears you they have to let you work. Its funny cause that is what happened with me. I was cleared by there doctor. I think I may look into this closer and consider hiring a lawyer.

[zachjessmom]

I know the withdrawal from methadone and suboxone are awful but I went through it for suboxone and I am so grateful to be done with it forever. Do I wish I never took it at all? Sometimes- but I took it for 2 1/2 years and have been off it for 3 years now. I worked hard and got my nursing license back. But I am on probation for the next two years and I am having trouble getting a job. I have also not worked as a nurse for seven years. I do have 16 years of nursing experience though. So I will just keep trying.