Fuckity fuck.....

[SacredCow]

I've been fighting a pinched nerve for the past several weeks, and indifferent doctors who just don't seem to be bothered by the fact that I'm slowly losing the use of my left arm. They prescribed my Naprosyn- basically, I can take 2 Aleve and have the same thing. Thank you SO fucking much- especially at night when the pain is, literally, excruciating (I can't sleep for more than an hour before the pain in my shoulder becomes unbearable and I have to get up and move around for it to stop). They won't sign off on an MRI, so I can find out the location of the pinch- they're only going by the symptoms. They were supposed to order physical therapy on the 10th, and the PT office got the paperwork yesterday. :banghead:

So, a friend offers me a few pills of Lortab- just so I can get some sleep. Stupidly, I take one (and get some much needed rest) only to come in to work this morning with a notification that I'm up for the random drug screening.

Fan-fucking-tastical. Everyone at work knows that I'm fighting this, and I told the HR manager about my unprescribed pharma use. She said to just take the test, and if it comes up positive, we'd just cross that bridge when we get to it.

And what is REALLY burning me up is that if the fucking doctors had been aggressive and were really interested in my well-being, I'd have never needed the fucking Lortab in the first place.

:nuke:

[qb]

1. I hope you can get into PT soon. PT really helped my shoulder impingement.

:hug:

[SacredCow]

2. I'm more worried about not having a job next week, truth be told...

But thank you- At this point, I'd try witchdoctors and perhaps faith healers.

[Rambis]

3. acupuncture

give it a go- I know people with shoulder pain swear by it

[SacredCow]

4. I'd try it... but still- I'm way more concerned about getting fired.

Especially since I'm a prude when it comes to drugs. I moved out of an apartment because my roommate was smoking pot all the freakin' time. I take drugs when I need them- quite frankly, I hate taking lortab and being all spacey and shit.

[dugaresa]

5. i have had the very same condition for almost 10 years

and to be honest there is very little they can do and will do.

I have three herniated discs in my cervical vertebrae.

When they get out of whack, I lose the ability to use my left arm at all and I experience horrific pain. I am allergic to a lot of pain meds so I am stuck with the prescription strength ibuprofen.

Typically mine is treated this way.

1. Steroids for about 2 weeks.
2. Physical Therapy for about 2 months

I take it easy! that is one key. what ever way to get rest I get it if I can.

I use moist heating pads and I got a tens unit finally.

The problem flares up ever 3 years or so.

The surgical solution (which most good neurosurgeons try to avoid) is to cut you through the front of your neck and then fuse the discs and there are really no guarantees.

In the past 2 years I have gotten in better shape with careful weight training and that has helped the attacks last less long.

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. When they do the drug test...

the people doing the test will ask you what prescription drugs you gave taken. Just include Loratab in your list when you tell them. They are not going to ask to see the prescription.

[SacredCow]

7. That's a thought. It's been so long since I was tested I don't remember the protocol

Fingers crossed that works...:scared:

[LeftyFingerPop]

8. Remember, they are looking for illegal drugs...

Loratab is legal, and if you only took one, your opiate level (if Loratab is an opiate) is going to be non-existent or very low by the time you get tested anyway.

Just do not be hesitant about saying that you took a Loratab. They can't really verify with your doctor because of the HIPAA privacy laws.

[Taverner]

9. Lortab shows as opiate

If you let them know you took it (say you had a scrip) recently, didn't like it and didn't take any more. You'll pass with exceptions.

[SacredCow]

10. That's very true, also....

I didn't even consider the HIPAA laws.

As for my employer- as I said, they already know- and know that I've been seeing Dr's left and right for the pain.

Come to think of it, I was prescribed Lortab about 7 years ago (and took maybe 3 doses- threw the rest out). I could always say I found it on a shelf and considered it a sign. :rofl:

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. I've taken probably 6 or 7 drug tests...

One time, I had to take one when I was literally floating on prescribed Vicodin for pain.

Like you, I was a little nervous. I was also on a ton of other prescribed oral meds that I was worried would give me a false positive.

They asked for a list of everything I was taking, so I told them. I passed with no problems.

Not to worry... :)

[kedrys]

12. Actually, they might

Happened to a coworker, who took a codeine Tylenol his wife had a scrip for, got popped for a drug test the next day. Test turned out positive, guy was called in about it and said what it was, and his work (not the testers) asked to see the scrip. Since it wasn't his, they drug-tested him monthly for a YEAR. He was in his fifties at the time, had worked for the company for ages and had nothing negative whatsoever in his personnel file.

I hate that shit. :nuke:

[SacredCow]

13. I've already told my employer...

They know what's going on, so maybe it won't be too big of a deal. But if they want to drug test me monthly, so be it. I'd rather that than the unemployment line.

[SacredCow]

14. All resolved...

HR manager visited me today, and said it wasn't going to be a problem given my multiple trips to Docs for the pinched nerve issue.

Now, to give the current Dr's the Trump treatment ("You're Fired") and find someone more aggressive and/or interested in saving my damn arm.

[kedrys]

15. Alrighty then!

Good luck! :)