Prescribed medications while in PNAP

[cmmom]

I was curious as to how PNAP handles people on prescription medication. I am on a few non narcotic meds as well as one narcotic for severe fibromyalgia flare during my pregnancy. the meds I`m on have been approved by a perinatologist. I am reluctantly taking them but they are much need for the amount of pain I am having right now. Anyway, I was just prescribed the narcotic for bedtime and of course was tested at outpatient therapy as well as firstlab testing. I did fax the prescription to the state and to PNAP. I also faxed a note from my doc stating that right now he feels it is necessary since nothing else has worked. I have tried other methods of pain relief with epic fails. I`m not saying this will be my cure for pain but at least decrease it to where i can sleep. Unfortunately Percocet was my drug of abuse and they will understandably be cautious. I`m too freaked out to take more then prescribed. I`m just wondering if they do extra testing for this and do they make someone check the prescription bottle? Even though I have a prescription I still feel "dirty" for taking them and am just scared that they will make me wait longer to get a new job. They put the fear of God in you!!! I have seen posts from other states but I am in Pennsylvania so if anyone knows or has experience please give me some advice so maybe I won`t be so anxious!!

[MichelleRN34, ADN, RN]

As far as I know as long as the medication is prescribed it is fine.

[TXRN2]

i don't know that just because it is prescribed that you will "be fine". you should talk with your case manager for the exact answer. when i was in TPAPN & had surgery- & was therefore prescribed narcotic pain meds afterward, i had to have a clean urine before i could return to work. i would not have been allowed to go back to work if i was still on narcs. that's the rule in texas. you should ask your case manager for advice. best of luck.

[Joaquin49, BSN, RN]

In California, taking narcotics while in the Diversion program usually is not except-able. At least not for a long period of time.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

A perinatologist prescribed your Percocet???????? You can NOT work while taking narcotics period. If your pain is so severe that it can only be relieved with narcotics (and narcs are poor choice for chronic pain) then you are too fragile to work in nursing. Why are you asking us this question and not your case manager. You sound like someone who is just dipping a toe into your recovery program. Good luck to you.