This post may delve into the philosophical realm but I've been thinking on it lately.
I work with this nurse who-I don't know if confided is the right word-but told me she has gotten used to winding down at the end of the day with a 'Lortab' or other painkiller before going to bed. Apparently, she (or one of her 9 children) have various medical procedures done from time to time and she is taking what is left over that they don't use. At one point she asked if I knew about ordering painkillers online (illegal, I believe). She claims the medication helps her relax and sleep better, and they work better than the antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds she has been prescribed. I got to talking to her and she says when she stays busy with a project or some other activity she doesn't even think about using them but she goes through bouts where she is bored (depressed?) and can't rest and the narcotics in the painkillers help a lot.
This is an excellent nurse. She's very impressive on the floor, actually. Her attitude is great. The facility where we work is very strict on narcotics and has no reason to believe she is stealing meds (there are several nurses who have raised suspicion and are being watched and she is not one of them.) There are absolutely no red flags, she rarely gives prn pain meds, gives the minimum dose ordered when she does, and none of the patients on scheduled pain meds complain of anything out of the ordinary after she has worked. Also, she has been there several years.
I understand that using narcotic medication for anything other than what they were prescribed for is prescription abuse. She claims that she doesn't always have these meds at home but it's nice when she does. Would you say she has a " problem?"
Another question, pain is not only physical but emotional. I know the Cymbalta commercial says " depression hurts." If she takes antidepressants and has been diagnosed with moderate to severe depression but claims Lortab (or Vicodin...etc.) helps the symptoms, could this not be a way to treat the pain as well?
Right, rngolfer - In my case, the doc put me on Lortab 5, and I was taking 1 every 4 hours or so. Before long, I was taking 1 1/2 or 2 tabs, and not waiting 4 hours. I was in the middle of a divorce, so my doc put me on Xanax 2mg prn. Then I had saved the remaining pills from an old rx for Ambien, so I threw those in the mix. And, as you said, it doesn't take long.
OP - Hopefully you'll get some ideas here about your situation. My dependence on narcs is not something I am proud of, but I am definetly proud of the fact that I have been able to maintain my sobriety for 10 years. I'm glad for friend to have someone looking out for them, even if they don't think so at the time.
Anne, RNC
I don't believe any of us are immune to becoming addicted to drugs, this is why I have a healthy respect for their power. I know how easy it is to feel like if one is good two will be better + a little more and a little more...and this describes the young patient I know of who died from an overdose of narcotic painkillers not too long ago. Even in our facility where these things are monitored we have sent drug seeking patients to the ER for Narcan and treatment because they OD'ed on patches and Lortabs and Xanax.
The last thing I would think of doing is ratting out this nurse, it would be like kicking a person when they are down.
olla86
4 Posts
Be careful,antidepressants have by-effect and stir up aggression!
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LIFE IS GOOD!