Long Term Effects of Pain/depression medication

I have been taking oxycodone, provigil, and symbax for many years - more than 5. I do not abuse the medications, in fact my doctor is consistently telling me to take them as ordered because I take less than he recommends because the lesser dose does the job. I do not take oxycodone for pain but because my system is so weird it actually energizes me and helps me with my sleep apnea in that even if I do not feel rested, it will give me enough energy to function. I have never felt drowsy or "loopy" from any of my medications. Recently I was stopped for a broken headlight and because the officer noticed my hands were shaking (from nerves) I had to go through the breathe and physical testing for DUI. I passed the breath test but failed the physical due to weak ankles, inner ear problems, and sinus problems; even in perfect physical condition I doubt I could pass those tests. I took a blood test that showed I had 0.03 mg/L of oxycodone, 0.17 mg/L of symbax in my system. Are those considered high levels - I might add that day I did take my oxycondone as prescribed because of an abcessed tooth. Being on the medications for so long, will a person become use to the effects and not experience drowsiness, mood alterations, or any "high" effects? I just feel normal when I take the medications and if not for the head light would not have been stopped. I've taken some kind of pain/depression medicaitons for over 20 years and never gotten a ticket or been stopped for erratice or dangereous driving. I work in construction and could not do my job if I were "high". I really need to know if long term use of these drugs negate any mood altering side effects; my job and frankly, my marriage depends on it. I am the sole bread winner as my spouse has debilitating arthritis and can not work. If I lose my job over this, my spouse will have to go live with relatives to be taken care of.

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

My opinion won't make a big difference;  you need an attorney who knows how to handle this type of case.  Your own comments incriminate you--  if you DID take oxycodone every single day, I would say that you would become tolerant to it-- and someone like me would testify for you that the oxycodone likely had little or no effect (I have actually provided similar testimony before).

But if you usually did NOT take oxycodone, but you DID take it this particular day-- the day that you also failed field sobriety tests-- you would have a hard time winning a 'driving under the influence' case.  People who are under the influence of ANY intoxicant-- including pain pills-- are not allowed to drive.  There is a gray zone with drugs other than alcohol, as there are not clearly-defined levels to say who is and who is not impaired-- instead, the result of trials depends on expert testimony, and who the judge or jury believes.

Symbyax-- I think that is what you are referring to (?)-- is an odd medication to be taking for someone without significant mental health concerns.  If I have the right medication, Symbyax is a combination of prozac with the antipsychotic medication olanzapine, which is very sedating  in most people.  I don't think, though, that the presence of Symbyax will be an issue-- as it is not a controlled substance.