Is it possible to work on prescribed Methadone and Narcotics

Nurses Disabilities

Published

  1. How safe would you feel knowing someone you work with takes methadone

    • 1
      i'd be more vigilant around scheduled substances and drug count
    • 1
      I'd be more vigilant to behavior changes
    • 0
      I don't care. It's the facility's responsability.
    • 0
      I'd talk to the the invividual and make up my mind
    • 6
      I shouldn't even know

8 members have participated

I am 51 years old RN, experienced the worst headaches in my life in Nov 2013. After many test, misdiagnosis (shingles/seizures) the final diagnosis is chronic difficult to treat migraines ( 3-7 attacks/month lasting a average of 3-5days). Along with that I have moderate cervical stenosis C4-5. Along with typical Migraine Meds (For muscle spasms related to the cervical stenosis I also take Baclofen and Voltaren Gel. Prior to these headaches I was on zero Medications.

My long term insurance carrier is insisting that although I am on daily METHADONE, Tomopmax, Proponalol, , Diclofenac, Amitryptiline, (sumatriptine jet, Cambria and Percocet, Reglan, PRN), I am fully functional and able to return to work. Therefore they have denied me benefits. My attorney advised me to get something from my employer that states that I would be unable to work with Methadone - So far no luck, they will not give it to me in writing but referred me back to my Primary MD. I checked the Department of Health Website and according to the Nurse Practice Act I would be placing my license in danger while working with narcotics in my system? However when I pointed this out to my attorney the response was that there are nurses that are working while taking methadone. Now that is confusing to me, because my Doctors will never give me the okay to work while on Methadone nor would my employer accept me as such. I an living in Florida!

I am stuck. The department of Health refuses to issue an administrative letter (they don't want to get involved), IPN (I don't qualify), my doctors opinion versus disability doctors opinion doesn't count.... yet I supposed to prove that I cannot work while on Methadone. In the meanwhile long term disability are refusing to pay because they are playing a numbers game that I eventually will give up. Yet, here I won't drive unless I skip my morning Methadone and Baclofen and take it later in the day (My doctor is aware). I went against my pain doctor recommendation once with the approval of my primary doctor and went ahead to wean off the Methadone (no problem weaning off slowly over 2 months. I was almost ready to go back to work when my migraine attacks got back to 21/31 days Migraines (not just little headaches but disabling, please chop of my head kind of migraines)

Is there really somebody that is taking methadone while working for the SAME condition and what is the limitation/position of employment?? Has anyone the same experience with disability insurance and how did you deal with it?

klone, MSN, RN

14,790 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

In what area of nursing do you work? I can tell you that as a bedside L&D nurse, I would not have been safe working while on Topamax (I took it for a year for severe sciatica).

But no, with all you describe, I would say that it's probably not safe to work as a nurse, let alone DRIVE to work. But our opinions aren't really what matters, when it comes to qualifying for SSDI.

Craftyladies

6 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac.

I was Relief Charge Nurse on with Chemo Nurse (basically the whatever needs to be done RN - get it done RN). If you have been on Topomax then you know... what makes me mad is that some DR determines -- ignores a majority of a report without seeing me and then states that I have no PHYSICAL DEFICIT and thereore can return to work. What really irks me most is that Short Term paid without problems for the same issue!!!

I am doing this poll and hopefully I can use this or the disability insurance!!!

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Have you checked to see what the FL BON would say about it? That's a loooooot of drugs (which, by the way, I'm very sorry that you've needed. Your pain must be horrific if you need that many meds to function.) I would hate for your license, freedom, and patient safety to be put at risk, because you're stuck between this rock and hard place of not being able to get disability. You may not qualify for IPN now, but dealing with them would be the least of your worries if anything DID happen.

So it was YOUR attorney who pointed out that other RNs work while on methadone? If so, who are these RNs and how does he know they're working on methadone? Does he know better than the BON?

If it's him who's arguing with you, I'd seriously consider getting a new attorney. Do you have ? If so, could you contact them for legal advice?

Craftyladies

6 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac.

Thanks for responding. I am not familiar with Fl BON. I'd like to check with them if you'd get me more info on them. I had through work with incidentially cannot be used for this (Eliza). Before I got sick I thought I was well insured only to find out that the insurances through the employer were just a smoke screen on paper. My attornery said he did some research and said that in his research he came across nurses working on methadone so I don't know where he found his info..

Craftyladies

6 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac.

I need to correct myself I did speak to the Board and they told me they do not want to get involved. They have a specific line set up for complaints when someone IS USING while working and they actually transferred me to them.

roser13, ASN, RN

6,504 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

You are embarking on the fight of your life with the LTD company. Hate to say it, but a survey result from an online forum will do nothing for your case. Make sure your attorney is well versed in disability issues. If your policy is governed by ERISA, it is essential that your attorney also be an ERISA specialist.

I've been there & done that with my husband's disability claim. We won but only after 2 lawsuits and 3 years without income. Take a look at this disability forum. It will be an education.

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