i was wondering if anyone could tell me about working while taking pain meds for chronic pain? are you allowed to work? i have searched my nurse practice act and it doesn't specify. it's very vague. i tried calling BON, could get no where, they just stated you have to be "safe". ????
anyhow, i have had two herniated discs diagnosed in 2004, and now have three herniated lumbar discs. for the past year, i have taken darvocet, then progressed to lortab/ultram/skelaxin when i am off work. today i went to see my spinal surgeon, who put me on duragesic patches. i will be scheduled for a discogram next week, and possibly fusion if the disks are found to be "leaking".
i have been able to work a few days a week and suffer through my shifts, then go home and take my meds. i am off the next few days, so i can see how i react to the duragesic. i was wondering though, if i am even able to go to work while taking such a strong med? or if i have to notify my employer? i obviously won't go if i am feeling out of it. but if i am feeling fine and pain-free, am i able to work? it would be wonderful if i didn't have to suffer so badly through my shifts anymore and i could be free from the pain.
just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. i am an lpn and work in geriatric rehab. thanks for anyone who can offer some advice!
and you still have me dreaming of working in CVICU someday,
And so you shall if you so wish. We'll be eagerly awaiting you to show you the ropes!
:)
I heard this story where I work... for whatever reason a nurse was drug tested she tested positive for opiates and I think all she had to do was produce the perscription and a note from her doc for employee health. The perscription was not outdated and everything turned out okay. I have no idea if she was taking the meds at work or not.
I have to emphasize that this is just something I heard. That's why I didn't post it earlier. Your doc works with you? I think that's one big plus for you.
i was wondering if anyone could tell me about working while taking pain meds for chronic pain? are you allowed to work? i have searched my nurse practice act and it doesn't specify. it's very vague. i tried calling BON, could get no where, they just stated you have to be "safe". ????
anyhow, i have had two herniated discs diagnosed in 2004, and now have three herniated lumbar discs. for the past year, i have taken darvocet, then progressed to lortab/ultram/skelaxin when i am off work. today i went to see my spinal surgeon, who put me on duragesic patches. i will be scheduled for a discogram next week, and possibly fusion if the disks are found to be "leaking".
i have been able to work a few days a week and suffer through my shifts, then go home and take my meds. i am off the next few days, so i can see how i react to the duragesic. i was wondering though, if i am even able to go to work while taking such a strong med? or if i have to notify my employer? i obviously won't go if i am feeling out of it. but if i am feeling fine and pain-free, am i able to work? it would be wonderful if i didn't have to suffer so badly through my shifts anymore and i could be free from the pain.
just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. i am an lpn and work in geriatric rehab. thanks for anyone who can offer some advice!
I was on the patch for two years. It helped control my chronic pain and it didn't affect my mental status. Just make sure you have a note from your doctor, outlining that he has ordered the drug for you.
i was wondering if anyone could tell me about working while taking pain meds for chronic pain? are you allowed to work? i have searched my nurse practice act and it doesn't specify. it's very vague. i tried calling BON, could get no where, they just stated you have to be "safe". ????
anyhow, i have had two herniated discs diagnosed in 2004, and now have three herniated lumbar discs. for the past year, i have taken darvocet, then progressed to lortab/ultram/skelaxin when i am off work. today i went to see my spinal surgeon, who put me on duragesic patches. i will be scheduled for a discogram next week, and possibly fusion if the disks are found to be "leaking".
i have been able to work a few days a week and suffer through my shifts, then go home and take my meds. i am off the next few days, so i can see how i react to the duragesic. i was wondering though, if i am even able to go to work while taking such a strong med? or if i have to notify my employer? i obviously won't go if i am feeling out of it. but if i am feeling fine and pain-free, am i able to work? it would be wonderful if i didn't have to suffer so badly through my shifts anymore and i could be free from the pain.
just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. i am an lpn and work in geriatric rehab. thanks for anyone who can offer some advice!
Check your facility's policies - our health system does not allow it.
begalli
1,277 Posts
And so you shall if you so wish. We'll be eagerly awaiting you to show you the ropes!
:)
I heard this story where I work... for whatever reason a nurse was drug tested she tested positive for opiates and I think all she had to do was produce the perscription and a note from her doc for employee health. The perscription was not outdated and everything turned out okay. I have no idea if she was taking the meds at work or not.
I have to emphasize that this is just something I heard. That's why I didn't post it earlier. Your doc works with you? I think that's one big plus for you.
Take care....