"MY RANT" continued

[tropicalsoul]

I'm sorry if this is not the appropriate place for this post but I could not be more scared about tomorrow.  In my earlier post I mentioned that tomorrow I have to face the music with my employer concerning my prescription pain meds.  My actual drug screen was returned to my employer as "NEGATIVE" but the testing facility sent them a form asking my doctor to indicate if I was a "safety threat" or if I was able to preform while on the medication.  

My doctor signed the form indicating taht I was in no way a safety threat and was taking the meds as prescribed.  Here is what I find frustrating.  I am fully aware of the concern about a person in my position taking opiate pain meds.  One day I was in the doctor's office and I did voice my concerne to her about my job position and how they frown on opiates.  She said that she "Has surgeons that are prescribed a 75mic Fentanyl duragesic patch."  How is it that laws deem someone like me a potential threat and a surgeon is not??? Yes.....I do transport the public but do not take pain meds while  working but I'm sure the meds are in present in my system.

How scary is that to know that the person taking your gall balder out is on a 75mic fentanyl patch?  I currently take 30-40 mgs of Norco a day.  As I said...I'm terribly sorry if this is inappropriate.  I'm just scared to death about tomorrow.  Looks like I have a choice to make.  Quit the meds or find another line of work in the worst financial times this country has seen in over 50 years.  I wont sleep much tonight.  Thanks again for listening.

[namnam46]

Tuck,

Thanks for explaining all of that.

It seems INCREDIBLY unfair that they would lose their CDL when NOT on the job if they were carrying their prescriptions with them.

Like I said it wouldn't bother me about my surgeon and to be PERFECTLY honest it wouldn't borther me if a Bus Driver or ANYONE in the transportation industry were managing their pain RESPONSIBLY transport me where I needed to go.

In TN I had Driver's that took me to my Dr.'s appointment that were ALSO PM Patients and they were allowed to drive us CP Patient's. I don't know whether they were TAKING their meds while driving BUT they had presctiptions for them.  

                                              It's DEFINITELY NOT fair!!

Tropical, it's SOOOO UNFAIR what they are threatening to do to you!!! As I said before I have you in my thoughts and Prayers that you DON'T have to choose between your job and your pain!! They should take it  case by case and NOT lump you together!! You shouldn't LOSE your job!!

Plese let us know what happens, WE'RE with you.....Sherry

[Tuckamore]

You can "rant" here anytime....we prefer to call it "venting." :)  But it's all the same.

Of course you are afraid and concerned. I would be also. I feel so bad for you.

Because my both my brothers hold CDLs I know a bit more about the laws that apply to these drivers. They are managers but are required to hold a CDL in case they would have to move equipment. My knowledge only comes from them and my former position. It is not necessarily correct.

I assume you have something similar to a CDL. It is not so much the employer as it is the DOT rules and regulations. The way I understand it and in my state even if my brothers were picked up OFF the job while driving with legally prescribed narcotic drugs or alcohol (even if under the legal limit) they would immediately lose their CDLs. Hence in all probability lose their positions. I don't think they would even be given the chance to "quit" using (legally RX) prescription drugs are alcohol. But again that may not be correct in your state or in your position.

I sincerely hope that you will not be forced to chose between your position and pain management.  You are correct. How does it make sense that a cardiac-surgeon can perform a very delicate and life threatening heart surgery while on opiates and you cannot transport ppl while not actively taking drug therapy?  

Please let us know how this all turns out. I have been thinking about you and have kept you in my prayers.

Best of Luck to You,
~Tuck

[RunningMom]

Personally I wouldn't worry about a surgeon being on a strong medication as long as their body is accustomed to it.  I take long acting opioid and I am very clear headed.  I do not have any side effects whatsoever with my current medications.  I do not take more then prescribed, nor do I drink alcohol.

Your job should be more understanding of your condition.  However, the law is not.  It is illegal to drive and have opioid medications in your system.  We all run into the same risk when we go behind the wheel.  I try and not drive as much as possible.  I do not want to get into an accident and get tagged with a DUI.  It would be extremely unfair.

I hope your letter from your doctor was enough to save your job.  This is a very tough ecomony and there is so much competition when looking for a place to work.  I wish you the best and please keep us updated.

[jamlws]

I am so sorry your going thru this. I hope your able to sleep some tonight. I just posted about taking pain meds at work. I am a cashier and I have face pain and it is so hard to talk to people when I am in so much pain in my face. I have to work with pain meds and if they don't like it then I guess I won't be there anymore. My pain needs treatment.
I am glad your dr did write saying that you are not a safety threat. I don't think you are a safety threat, like Sherry said she is fine with the patch and has no problem driving.
Let us know how it goes tomorrow and I will be thinking of you.
Jamie

[namnam46]

I'm confused here. I thought that this morning you said that the test came back positive. When did you find out that it came back Negative?

I went back and reread your post of this morning. Does your employment state NO DRUGS of any kind? Or what exactly does it say concerning your employment? Are you POSITIVE that you will lose your job since you don't take them while you are working?

I hope that you can save your job. How did they find out that you were prescribed the meds?

It all boils down to the policies of where you work and IF your employer finds out about it.  You said you've been using them for 5 years and I'm assuming that you hadn't told them about them.

As far as the Surgeon's are concerned I'm sure that IF it isn't in their contracts with the Hospital's there isn't a problem. If it is then they probably do the same thing that you do and don't sy anything. You know I don't think that it would bother me i they were on the Patch. I'm on it and I know that it doesn't affect me except to relieve my pain. My PM Clinic hasn't EVER said anything to me about not driving or it being a danger at all!! To be honest I'd ragther my Doctor's be out of pain when they are operating on me than to have a SUDDEN twinge that makes their hand jump. That's just my take on it.

It's VERY unfair that you should have to lose your job when you don't take them while at work.

I'm sending thoughts and Prayers that you DON'T lose your job tomorrow....Sherry