[nurse06rn]

Pulled from floor and drug screened. Negative test result. Diagnosed with PTSD and began therapy and took off work. Have prescriptions for hydrocodone which I have been taking for several months for legitamate medical condition. My therapist got medicine records from physician and discovered that I received cough med for bronchitis that had hydrocodone in it but also received albuterol nebs antibiotics and steroid injection (I also have severe asmtha )while I was receiving pain med from my ENT. She contacted my physician and they both aggreed that I did not show addictive behaviors and that I am able to return to work. Now my employer wants me to report it to the board. Any thoughts on what to do?

[lpRN13108]

If you are lucky enough to NOT be an addict I applaud you. I too was prescribed vicodin,and xanax for legitimate medical condition. I had Lyme disease BUT I did not take it as prescribed. At first I did but then my addictive brain started thinking and I began abusing it. I also have PTSD and have been medicating myself for it for about 25 years. I was able to fool everyone,especially my Drs for all that time. The only person I wasn't fooling was myself. I got so out of control abusing my drugs and drinking to make the pain go away that I convinced myself that the world and my kids would be better off without me..I would hate to see anyone else get to that dark place. Just take a minute to think about it and be very sure

[jenniferleigh]

I would not recommend reporting to the board however you have to ask yourself if working where you do is a trigger. I understand your medical conditions and need for medicine however did you ever steal drugs from work? Has your tollerance for vicodin gone up. if you had to pick the drugs or the job-what would it be. I don't know if you are an addict-not my call to make, however "normal people" don't usually have to defend themselves so much unless there really is an underlying problem. Look past the denial and see what you find.

[nurse06rn]

Hi Just wanted to reply ...I have not diverted from work and I know that it is a constant battle to keep things in check. My employer has changed their mind about reporting substance aboue but want report the incident that required me to be pullud fcrom tha floo.r I took a drug screed and it can back negative. Everything seems to be working out better. I will continue to see my therapist for PTSD etc... any other problems . I reported to the board about mental health problem and they said I would be able to to wrok with out restrictions.
Nurse06rn