Took a decongestant on the "Class B- Dr Approval Only" list

[Recovering_RN]

So I've had some nasal congestion lately and took a generic brand decongestant with phenylephrine in it, then later looked at the Talbot Medication Guide on RecoveryTrek's website, and that medication is on the Class B list, the one that says use only with Addiction Specialist or Dr Approval.

I won't take it again but I'm wondering if they actually test for those kinds of things very often. I sort of think that they can't possibly test for everything on those lists, there's hundreds of drugs listed, and we always have to choose option 1, option 2 etc, which determines what they test for (anyone know for sure what those options test for?) So I'm not super worried, but just wondering if anyone has had a positive drug result for something like that?

Also, I was thinking of getting some Afrin nasal spray for my stuffy nose but that's on the Class B list too! Geez, really? I can't take nasal spray for a stuffy nose? Do you really think they'd consider that an occurrence if I tested positive for Afrin?

[Big Blondie, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Just get your Doc to prescribe those prn meds for you and lidt them on your list as prn

[StillRN]

This is awful... I live on ibuprofen and afrin. I always have headaches and stuffy noses. . Maybe allergies to my zoo of animals. ..crested geckos and the roaches they eat... love my babies.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure that they specifically test for those drugs as much as you run the risk of getting a false positive...

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I had the stuffy nose/allergy thing when I was still in my contract. I solved it by just using saline mist nasal spray. I was kind of surprised how well it worked.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I had the stuffy nose/allergy thing when I was still in my contract. I solved it by just using saline mist nasal spray. I was kind of surprised how well it worked.

90% of getting through these programs is about fallowing directions. They won't specifically test for Afrin but you may test positive for amphetamine. About midway through my program I was out to eat and ordered a tonic and lime. When the dink came I took a big gulp because I was thirsty only to be inundated with the pungent taste and aroma of Gin. I totally panicked even went to the restroom to induce vomiting. I ultimately called my case manager and told her what happened. She told me not to worry because my compliance had been exemplary. As far as I know there was no positive test. I strongly encourage the use of saline sprays for nasal congestion. They work great.

Hppy

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I hate how my program won't let you use benadryl unless you have a script and that script has to have a time frame so no indefinite PRN. I have used benadryl for years to help with migraine control. I have tried numerous OTC and rx stuff and nothing is as effective. :/

[catsmeow1972, BSN, RN]

I see where following directions is the key to getting through this stuff. Even though it is an accepted (and stated by several people in the program) point that I am not here because of addiction issues but rather mental health issues I am still bound by the same stupid rules. It irritates me to no end that I am a medical professional, yet I have to go to a doctor for a decongestant? The last time I had a bad enough respiratory crud to need a doctor visit, they wanted to prescribe Tussionex. Guess what?! No go! Not happening. I could have avoided the doctor visit (and the missed work time) altogether if I could have taken a bit of Sudafed. Nothing like us having to compromise our own health because some faceless organization's arbitrary rules.

Hmmm...addiction is a disease unless you are a nurse in which case it is a crime and shows you to be a unredeemable, defective person. Ohhh-kaayy!

[LibertyTX]

Do not tempt fate with your monitoring program! Yes, the rules suck and many of them are plain silly, but just imagine how much worse it will get if you test positive (or false positive).

[Recovering_RN]

I tried the saline nasal spray and it really works great so far! I'm really surprised to be honest. I don't have lots of dried gunk that's causing the congestion so I wasn't quite sure why it would help but it does. The label says it's the hypertonic saline that causes the inflammation to decrease. It's not just a rinse of the nasal passages, it actually reduces the swelling that causes the congestion.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I tried the saline nasal spray and it really works great so far! I'm really surprised to be honest. I don't have lots of dried gunk that's causing the congestion so I wasn't quite sure why it would help but it does. The label says it's the hypertonic saline that causes the inflammation to decrease. It's not just a rinse of the nasal passages, it actually reduces the swelling that causes the congestion.

That's exactly the reaction I had when I tried it. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out it works!

[Julius Seizure]

Even though it is an accepted (and stated by several people in the program) point that I am not here because of addiction issues but rather mental health issues I am still bound by the same stupid rules.!

To me, this is such a shortfall of the entire system. I just dont feel that its right to group those two groups in together and treat them both as substance abusers. It doesnt address the real problem, and it creates unnecessary hurdles to treatment.