HOLY COW! What do I do?

[tropicalsoul]

What happens if you suffer from chronic pain that doctors are unable to locate and you have to take narcotic pain relievers but the job you have requires random drug screens and if you turn up positive for opiates you could lose your job?  That is my story.  I want off these damm things so bad it keeps me up nights but during the day my body just hurts all over.  I'm allergic to asprin and ibuprofen almost killed me a few years ago and my GI doctor has strictly forbidden me from taking ibuprofen.

I'm just needing to vent.  I realize in order for me to have any quality of life these little white pills will be apart of me for quite some time.  I JUST HATE IT and I'm very angry with God for some reason. I was taking five 10mg Lortabs a day and my doctor recently switched me to 75mg MS Contin and I am scared to death of them.  I realize this is morphine and I'm worried this addiction/dependence will eventually get the best of me and one day I may find myself on a street corner needing my next fix.  That may sound crazy but it really does concern me.

Thanks for listening.  It's difficult getting someone else to understand.

[namnam46]

I totally agree with Caregiver and Tuck about the Drug Test totally depending on what occupation that you are in. You definitely need to check into the

I must agree with Tuck about not needing to change to a PM Dr. unless you are not happy with your current Dr. As Tuck said there are many  people that don't have a PM because that isn't what is required by their states. It all depends on what the law requires.

I wish you the very best and hope that you will keep us updated. Tuck is correct, we hope that you will "stop by more often".  :)....Sherry

[Tuckamore]

Hey Tropicalsoul,

You may vent here any time. We all do from time to time and you are more than welcome.

I do not know what profession you are in but as Caregiver suggested much will depend on your profession. The last job interview I had (for a PT position) I was required to take a drug test. I knew I would "fail it" and I informed my prospective employer.  I still got the job. It did not involve working around machinery or driving. It was a desk job and I guess they figured the worst I could do was transpose numbers. Which I didn't. :)

So consider your position. Are you placing yourself or others at risk by being under opiate therapy? If not there should be no issues. There are also laws that protect ppl with disabilities. Now obviously they don't include allowing a pilot to operate an aircraft under the influence of an opiate but they do make for some exceptions when others are not placed at risk. So instead of being haunted by the fear of a drug screen find out what your rights are and what the laws states regarding opiate therapy in your profession.

I respectfully disagree with seeing a PMP as long as you are happy with your current practitioner. I see a PCP and am very satisfied with her care and management of my chronic pain. However if you are dissatisfied with your physician than by all means seek another opinion.

Please stop by more often. We are always here to support you. Best of luck.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[designgyrl]

I was going to just say the same thing.  I worked for a job for eight years where we randomly were drug tested and I think I got picked like four or five times in the eight years and twice I was on narcotics, and all I had to do is show them the bottle and they said absolutely nothing.  Furthermore, earlier this year I was working at a temp agency working two jobs and had to take a drug test, and has just been attacked in my home, my doctor had given ativan and vicodin, and same thing, I just showed the temp agency and they hired me and worked with the company for about three months until they no longer needed me.  

[caregiver222]

What you have to do it to evaluate the criterion for your job.

In many professions a positive druh screen means nothing as long as the opiate is prescribed.

In other professions, prescription of an opiate means you are not medically qualified to perform the job. An airline pilot, for example, requires a six-month class one physicial and if opiates are prescribed the physician will not be renewed until the opiates are discontinued because the drugs cause lack of situational awareness. If a pilot "fibs" he stands not only to lose his job, but be prosecuted and imprisoned.

There are reasons for these rules.

In the case of opiates, the rules exist to protect others from dangers you pose on-the-job.

If you have not done so, seek a pain specialist instead of a general practicioner.