ORNurse
09-25-2003, 10:35 AM
I would really like some input from you guys on what time of jobs you have. How do you get around the side effects of the meds and still be able to function at your jobs. My biggest problem was the drowsiness, but my dr started me on Provigil 100 mg/day in the morning. It has made it a little easier, but not as he described to me that it would make me "more alert". In addition, is this not a stimulant med that one should try to avoid? Thanks.
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surgicaldisaster
09-25-2003, 10:46 AM
Hi again! I am a stay at home mom and a substitute teacher. I find I have no problem at all doing what needs to be done on my meds...it's without them that I can't do anything due to the pain. I feel totally alert and normal, just less pain(thank God). It may be that your body needs time to adjust(not sure how long you have been on your meds). Wish I could help with the other script given to you, but I really don't know anything about it...sorry! Hopefully someone will come along who has knowledge of that....take care of yourself and let us know how things are going! Love, Surgical Disaster
avogadro
09-25-2003, 10:51 AM
Hello,
My BS is in Chemistry but with the meds and everything else, working in the lab was no longer an option (I would probably blow something up!). So, I now work in chemical sales and I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home and set my own schedule.
Let us know how you are doing!
AV
My BS is in Chemistry but with the meds and everything else, working in the lab was no longer an option (I would probably blow something up!). So, I now work in chemical sales and I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home and set my own schedule.
Let us know how you are doing!
AV
ORNurse
09-25-2003, 10:53 AM
You're right, SD- I have only been on them one month now. If I were a stay-at-home mom (which is what I want to be anyway!)I think it would be better because I would be free within my own house to decide when I was not feeling well enough to continue my day. It's the fact that I sit all day at a computer and this aggrevates my pain more. Even when I get up a couple of times per hour, it doesn't help because I'm right back in my seat again. Thanks for letting me vent!
whaleylaker
09-25-2003, 10:55 AM
Top of the morning what is provigil? I neveer heard of it ( which means absolutely nothing, because I haven't heard about alot of things) Lake
ORNurse
09-25-2003, 10:59 AM
Lake - Provigil is supposedly a new medication created for those with narcolepsy. It is considered very close to Ritalin and/or Adderall which is prescribed for AHDD folks. I think my dr knew about it and prescribes it for narcotic drowsiness side effects because he told me his daughter has narcolepsy. Since he only gave me samples and I still have them, I haven't gotten a prescription to see how expensive they are. I got the impression from him that it is somewhat milder than Ritalin, but still an addictive substance (not sure the schedule).
Mo7609
09-25-2003, 11:03 AM
I am a medical assistant and because of the meds that I take 40mg oxycontin bid I can't get a job. I would be an insurance risk for any Dr they say even though I function quite normally. According to the insurance companys I might steal meds! What a joke! All Dr offices in california where I live do drug tests and even though this is a RXed from a Dr I am a risk and they won't hire me. So my Dr has put me on disability. Mo
avogadro
09-25-2003, 11:08 AM
I'm no expert but I think it is a stimulant of some sort. It is used for narcolepsy (when people fall asleep without warning). I also have a friend with MS and she uses it to help with the sleepiness.
Might do a search on Yahoo to get more info too!
AV
Might do a search on Yahoo to get more info too!
AV
Crimsonkitty
09-25-2003, 12:01 PM
Hi,
Being on 30 mg mscontin bid myself I was wondering how that might influence obtaining a job in medical sales. As hard as I have tried to stop taking meds my pain creeps back in a matter of hours and then I am no use to anyone/thing.
Your help on this topic is appreciate for I function quite well as long as I am not in pain.
Being on 30 mg mscontin bid myself I was wondering how that might influence obtaining a job in medical sales. As hard as I have tried to stop taking meds my pain creeps back in a matter of hours and then I am no use to anyone/thing.
Your help on this topic is appreciate for I function quite well as long as I am not in pain.
Russo
09-25-2003, 01:05 PM
ORNurse:
This is a really good question. I think many people with chronic pain suffer everything from loss of dignity to loss of friends, to losing a job because they can't function normally with heavy medication. I've been lucky over the years. I worked in an office for a good part of the past 15 years, and just tried to keep my daytime dosing low enough to keep the pain under control and not make me loopy. I was always just waiting to get home and sack out and take something strong enough to make up for a day of pain. For several years now I work from home on a computer, and so I'm lucky enough to be able to work from a recliner with a laptop computer, which keeps my back in a comfortable position. I don't have to move around a lot or do any lifting or anything like that. And my medications are low enough doses that I can still think clearly and do my job. But some days are worse than others. I'm just thankful I don't have to drive in to an office, or do something for a living that would require physical activity.
This is a really good question. I think many people with chronic pain suffer everything from loss of dignity to loss of friends, to losing a job because they can't function normally with heavy medication. I've been lucky over the years. I worked in an office for a good part of the past 15 years, and just tried to keep my daytime dosing low enough to keep the pain under control and not make me loopy. I was always just waiting to get home and sack out and take something strong enough to make up for a day of pain. For several years now I work from home on a computer, and so I'm lucky enough to be able to work from a recliner with a laptop computer, which keeps my back in a comfortable position. I don't have to move around a lot or do any lifting or anything like that. And my medications are low enough doses that I can still think clearly and do my job. But some days are worse than others. I'm just thankful I don't have to drive in to an office, or do something for a living that would require physical activity.
pixiepoodle
09-25-2003, 02:58 PM
Hi, I work full time as a paralegal with a very heavy nonstop workload. When I took pain meds and muscle relaxers, I was so drugged up at work I could barely function or stay awake and drive. Over a period of 7 yrs., the mistakes I made almost made me lose my job a few times. A little over 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I had a pain pump implanted will delivers Fentanyl directly into my spinal fluid which gets rid of my pain anywhere from 90 to 100%. Bad weather fronts are what give me break thru pain and then I take Ultram (and Soma occasionally at work if the pain gets too strong). The wonderful thing about the pain pump is that I am completely funtional and alert because the meds are not going thru my bloodstream. Being where I am at now, I don't know how I worked full time for 7 yrs. in chronic pain without going insane (although I thought about killing myself every day, I would never do that because I would have to answer to God for that). I just hope everyone on this msg. board can find the pain relief they need.
ORNurse
09-25-2003, 03:08 PM
pixiepoodle - I am now currently working as a paralegal also! I must be honest and say that I hate it, but it pays my bills. That's exactly why I am having so much trouble staying awake! I loved my old job, which was in nursing, but had to give it up a few years back because of the pain. I just don't know what other job would be suitable for those of us who cannot work at home. I, too, must drive and it's pretty discouraging when I get into my car in the morning and I feel as though I just came home from work! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tired.gif
grizzk62
09-25-2003, 03:38 PM
Hey All,
I'm still working or is it called suvivor Island. LOL. Yes I have to sake some really sedating meds all day to do this. But here is my dayliy regimen is I take 8omgs of methadone broken into 20 mgs 4 times aday. I take 1-2 OxyIR 5 mgs upto 4 times a day And soma 1-2 in the evening and for baddays I take dilaudid instead of the OxyIR and the dilaudid mgs is 8 mg upton 4 x day. So to combat the sedating effects of all these meds. And to help w/ADD,OCD, chronic mental illness. I take Focalin. 20mgs a day. Focalin is a stimulant like the ritalin. Focalin this the most active part of what makes up ritalin. I also take wellbutrin and elavil. Both of those also handle pain better and keep from being so down about myself and problems that day to day strugglle. So its not uncommon for docs to RX stimulant meds when some one is going to be on thses meds the rest of our lives.. Well all thats All I hve to say anyone needing to talk I'm here. take care all...
Matt
I'm still working or is it called suvivor Island. LOL. Yes I have to sake some really sedating meds all day to do this. But here is my dayliy regimen is I take 8omgs of methadone broken into 20 mgs 4 times aday. I take 1-2 OxyIR 5 mgs upto 4 times a day And soma 1-2 in the evening and for baddays I take dilaudid instead of the OxyIR and the dilaudid mgs is 8 mg upton 4 x day. So to combat the sedating effects of all these meds. And to help w/ADD,OCD, chronic mental illness. I take Focalin. 20mgs a day. Focalin is a stimulant like the ritalin. Focalin this the most active part of what makes up ritalin. I also take wellbutrin and elavil. Both of those also handle pain better and keep from being so down about myself and problems that day to day strugglle. So its not uncommon for docs to RX stimulant meds when some one is going to be on thses meds the rest of our lives.. Well all thats All I hve to say anyone needing to talk I'm here. take care all...
Matt