what should i do?

[hurtinbadder]

sorry. I posted this in the wrong place. Hi. I have been reading a bunch of the questions here. I am in alot of pain. I am going to go to my doctor for help. What should he give me? I will be going to a pain managment doctor. I don't want to be in pain and don't want to waste my time on some medicine that will not work. What shoudl I expect?

jamie said the heavy hitting drugs are bad and I don't want to lose my job either. maybe I should just take short acting drugs. what are the short acting drugs and will i have to take more of them?

i hurt my back and don't want to have surgery. i am going to PT righ now.

[Sarajmt]

Hi Hurtin.  I'm so sorry you are in such pain.  Tuck and dontunderstand gave you very good advice.  If you are on your feet all day, you definitely need something to get you through the day and a good night's sleep.

Have your doctor refer you to a pain management specialist.  I always ask for the one he'd go to!..  Some are better than others.  Take all your records, MRI's etc..  And allow the doctor to decide.  Normally you start off slowly and work your way up until you find a comfortable level.  There is no reason to tell your employer.  Should you be asked directly about it, I'd tell them that your medical records are personal and protected.  I see no reason pain meds would hurt your performance.  You very quickly adjust to them.

I was a flight attendant.  We had employees who had to take narcotics.  As long as they were prescribed and the doctor documented everything, there was no problem.  And I NEVER saw a flight attendant "high" or even remotely unable to perform her duties.  I've never heard of anyone being fired for prescription medication use. Illegal drug use?  ABSOLUTELY!!  And we were drug tested at random.

Don't be afraid to try something that will help you keep your job.  I don't know any chronic pain patients who get "high" using their medications as directed.  Your night meds may make you sleepy.  That is about it.

Chronic pain patients usually aren't affected or adjust quickly to the medications.  Go to a pain specialist!!

Good Luck
Sara

[jamlws]

I also word in retail. i am not sure why they was pushing to fire the girl i worked with, she was also fighting workers comp from where we work.
I would ask to see your hand book to see what it says in it if anything. I wouldn't come right out and ask them if they need to know what meds you are on. Maybe your pain dr won't even give you pain meds maybe there is something out there that he/she thinks would be better for you.
I am a cashier so I am lifting heavy stuff also. If I was to drop something or something along that line and I get drug tested I could get into trouble cause if that person could come back and sue my work because I was on pain meds and they was hurt because of me. Even if I have a accident or say hurt my back well I would be drug tested and they was to find pain meds in my system and I didnt tell them about it I could get into trouble. That is why i also want to look over my hand book to see if I have to tell them. My husband has said since I am not working with machines or driving I shouldnt tell them. And I have not told them yet, I don't know if I will stay on the methadone or not so I want to wait to tell them IF i have to tell them at all, again I have to read my paper work. I think their reason for putting me at the door (the other department) since because I won't be lifting anything I would just stand there and do nothing. Maybe that is safer, I don't know.
I would just tell them you want to see all the paperwork you signed when you got hired just to refresh your mind on it. If they ask why just say I don't remember what all was in my file and I just wanted to see it.
Don't worry about losing your job, what you need to do is go to the pain dr and get yourself better. Just worry about you and not about losing your job. Alot of people work on pain meds and they do it cause they can't work without them. I know of 2 girls I work with that are on like vics or percs and the manager knows they are on these so they keep them where they are. But they work fine when they are on them and when they are not they are in alot of pain, one just had surgery on her foot, they removed it and then put it back on and the other one has major neck problems and is pain all the time. So people do work on meds. Just dont worry about that right now.
Keep us updated.
Jamie

[designgyrl]

Welcome to our forum, I am very sorry that there was some confusion about our forum. I hope Tuckamore and a few other people have given you enough informatio. I read that you started on Jamie site and got into that post and I'm sorry that happened. I see a pain management doctor for my health issues, degenerative disk disease, 2 herniated disks, fusion of disk c4-5 and scar tisssue, etc... and I also have to agree with most of the posts on here.  When I was referred over to the pain doctor I DID NOT ask for any type of medication, my pain doctor examined me, we came up with a treatment plan ,and then he started medication that he thought was right for me.  I have never requesed certain type of medication, my dr. has always had my best interest at heart and kept me comfortable with my chronic pain.  It sounds as though you have some disk issues, and the pain management doctor may include addtional treatment, I currently get epidural injections every three months, and did physical therapy for about a year until we decided it was not the treatment plan for me.  So, I just wanted to give you another opinion because of all the confusion earlier, and I'm just afraid if you go in and start requesting certain meds then you will not be prescribed anything for your pain.  I wish youthe best of luck, and hope that you will continue to post and let us know how things are going!  Take care.

Karen

[Jaybay]

If you're in retail and need to drive a forklift or operate something mechanical, that would be a problem, otherwise don't worry about it.  Just tell your doctor what's going on and ask about any side effects of medications he may prescribe and take the conversation from there.  Too many people get in the habit of believing they must diagnose themselves and suggest treatments to the doctor.  It's supposed to work the other way around.  :-)

[Tuckamore]

I see your post that you work in retail. You should be okay. I cannot see how legal narcotic use could be a danger to yourself or the public.

I am so very sorry that you have pain in your leg, sounds like sciatic pain. That is horrid.

Runningmom is correct. Your PMP will work with you. You should have options.

[Tuckamore]

Yes you do have to disclose that you are on narcotics IF you handbook states that you must do so. HIPPA offers a lot of protection but your employer has the right to know (again if stated in the handbook) that you are taking a narcotic. If there is no handbook or policy directing you to do so than you do not have an obligation to disclose that information..... Unless of course you are in a position such as a CDL driver where you are required by DOT to disclose narcotic use.

~Tuck

[RunningMom]

Your doctor may try several medications before you find one that works.  What works for one person will not work for another.  Be totally honest with your doctor and they will decide what would be best to start you off on.  I've tried several non narcotic and narcotic medication for my severe pain.  I still have not found a medication that helps bring my pain to a decent level.  

When you go to the pain managment clinic keep an open mind for your treatment and medication options.  Depending on your pain, you also may be required to do other procedures as well like steroid injections, PT, tens unit, biofeedback, ect.  It all depends on your pain clinic and their policy's.  

I hope your appointment goes well.  

[hurtinbadder]

i work in retail. thanks for your advise. my friend also said i should tell them but maybe i will wait. i need to keep this job for the insurance. thanks again you all gave good advise.

[hurtinbadder]

it hurts in my back and leg. the doc said i have deganative disks and a bulge. it must be a big one because it hurts so bad. and he also said deganative disks could be giving me pain to.

[Tuckamore]

I know you didn't ask me this question but I couldn't help but respond. Please do not tell your employer anything right now. You don't know if you will even be on a narcotic...or what kind.

Get your handbook out and see what it says about narcotic use on the job. What type of work do you do? We have many ppl on this forum that are employed and take long or short acting pain meds.

This does not have to cost your job. Again what do you do? I worked for six years while on narcotic medication.

[hurtinbadder]

thanks for letting me ask questions. why is jamie and her friend losing their job because of the medicine they take? that is why i am afraid. i cant lose it. why would jamie have to be a in a diferent job because she takes medicine? her friend lost her job to. I think i will ask my doctor to keep me on short meds. i just cant take the chance. i need my job for the insurance. now isn't that funny? i need my job to have insurance so i can get medicine that will make me lose my job. this is very confusing

[dontundertand]

Hey, hopefully you won't even need them! :) can you tell us a little about your pain?

[dontundertand]

I have been in pain mgt almost 5 yrs. I graduated with a bachelors on accounting with a 3.5 gpa while raising two kids by myseself and working. I currently certify the availability of funds and track millions of dollars across hundreds of projects at my job. My meds don't interfere with my mental capacity. Please don't think you will loose your job if you are taking a certain med. If you feel this way discuss it with your doctor. There is no readon you should have to disclose to your employer what meds you take. If you are drug tested the lab will call you and ask you to produce a prescription for anything in your system. If you are not a doctor or a driver or something you have HIPPA laws that protect your privacy when it comes to your medical care. I'm sorry if I am confusing you. Please ask if you have questions. I wish I woulda found this forum sooner. Everyone on here cares and is supportive.

[hurtinbadder]

thanks jamie but i worry about my job like you. did you tell them you were on the meds? should i tell them? maybe i will tell them i will be on them. i just dont want to lose my job likle your friend did. i know you are worried about it to.

[jamlws]

I never said heavy hitting drugs are bad. they work great on people and they get their lifes back with them. I just don't like the idea on taking them cause of my life, job, kids. Your dr will let you know what will work best for you and your pain.
They will listen to you and then work out a treatment plan for you. You dont' get to choice what meds you take, it is all up to the dr.
We have alot of people on here that are on the stronger stuff and they can do what they want, the pills don't stop them from working, playing with their kids. also alot of the stronger stuff dont' have the side effects as the weaker stuff. it all depends on you and your doctor.
I just have a problem with starting heavier meds, that is just me. What will work for me and my pain is up to my doctor. Like I said before the side effects of the stronger meds like "the high" people say they get from the meds the long lasting stronger meds most of the time dont cause this. it just depends on the meds. I never get the high only the pain relief.
I will listen your dr and see what kind of treatment he will offer you. if you have fears of a med that he wants to put you on then talk to him/her about.
There is nothing wrong with the stronger meds, alot of people are on them and they have giving them their lifes back.
Tuck is right dont ask the dr for a narcotic, just listen to him and see what kind of treatment he wants to put you on.
Jamie

[Tuckamore]

I understand your confusion. I have never asked for a specific narcotic. There are some that have and it has not always been the best approach.

Now if you have had a long term relationship with your physician (years) and you are discussing going from one narcotic to another some patients do ask, "What about this" or "What about that."

I do not know a reputable physician that allows a new patient to walk in and ask for a specific narcotic medication. This does not operate like, Let's Make a Deal.

I am sorry that some of the information you have read is misleading. Please remember that this board is made of of many different ppl with various time in pain management. Like you some a newer to the journey. Others have been on this road for years. We also have varying degrees of successful pain management. I know it can be confusing and I apologize for that.

Hang in there, others will post. It will become clearer.  If not just keep asking questions, that's what we are here for. :)  We'll help the best we can.

[hurtinbadder]

thanks. i will. i have never had bad pain like this and i never had to take medicine like this. what are the hevy hitting drugs? i wont ask for them but maybe i wont take them because i don't want to lose my job like jamie said. what is red flag? what will they do if that happens?

[Tuckamore]

Hi Hurtinbadder,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. Thank you for beginning a new thread. I am so sorry that you are in pain.

Please understand that there are no physicians on this forum. Everything you read here are from chronic pain patients for the most part. Some of us have a medical background but none of us are experts.

Jamie is absolutely in error. "Heavy hitting" drugs are not bad.

I cannot tell you which narcotic pain medication is right for you. Often a PMP will prescribe long acting narcotics. This is to give you better pain control. You avoid the ups and downs of short acting pain medications.

Much will depend on your pain levels, the expected longevity of pain and possibly your source of pain. I would not request any specific narcotic. That may only red flag you. It's a much wiser decision to allow the PMP to suggest medications and than ask about them. learn all you can about what you are putting in your system.

The PMP may prescribe nothing for you. He/she may decide that another course of treatment is the best approach. I encourage you to be open and honest. Starting off on the right foot is important in building a good doctor/patient relationship. If you enter the office requesting this or that narcotic it may not look good.

Please let us know how your appointment goes. I am so very sorry that you are in a lot of pain. A good PMP will recognize that fact and treat you accordingly. They are the experts and there are a lot of good ones out there. I will look forward to hearing about your results.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[hurtinbadder]

i'm confused. when i read some of the posts, it sounds like some people ask for what they want. i mean, i don't want the heavy hitting ones like jamie said. so how do i tell them that? i can't lose my job. if motrin or asprin worked i would be fine. but it do not. i already drug test at work so that should not be a problem.

[dontundertand]

I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation. Having had chronic pain now for almost 5 yrs there's a little advice I want to throw your way. I don't want to scare you. I want you to know that we all try to help each other through the journey of pain, finding a practioner who we can develop a relationship with, finding treatment that helps, etc...
Going back to the basics let me enlighten you a little on what is going on out there. There are many people who abuse pain medicine. There are doctors who just prescribe without really caring or trying to treat their patients. We need to be informed about every decision we make. When I looked for my doctor I chose one that had an excellent reputation. I googled doctors and kinda checked them out. This was for my own protection. I chose a doctor who had been the head of the anesthesia department at a hospital for 20 yrs, had switched his specialty to pain management, was board certified, and was active in clinical trials. As chronic pain patients we agree to the terms our doctor has laid out for his practice. Many of us take drug tests on a random or regular basis for our doctors. They are protecting themselves. The DEA very closely monitors narcotic use. My doctor told me once that he was responsible for every prescription that he writes. Whether he knows or doesn't know that a patient is misusing or diverting their medication. If that patient gets caught they will come to his practice. He has to have standards in place to show the DEA he made an attempt to ensure that his prescriptions are being used responsibly by patients that need them for relief from pain. That being said, if you go into any doctor and ask for the "heavy hitting" as Jamie called them, or the "short acting" medications, you will most likely leave without anything to help ease your pain. You need to talk to your doctor about it. Let him know how it feels, how it is affecting your life, and what your goals of treatment are. Let him make the decision as to what is appropriate treatment for you. He's the one that spent years and years studying. You need to take his advice and then follow his treatment plan to a T. You may not realize it, but chronic pain patients are drug tested to make sure that they are taking their medications as directed and what they have been prescribed is in your system (you're not diverting your meds) AND to make sure you are not doctoring yourself and taking anything that is NOT on your treatment plan. Please let the doctor make the calls and help you. Follow his direction. Do not go in asking for X, Y or Z and tell him you will not take A, B, or C or you will have an impossible time trying to find relief.

I hope you get better soon. Keep us updated, and welcome to the forum.