Family and Pain Medication

 Hello Chompers!

       Yes this has been discussed many times here, but I think with all of the new faces, we need to revisit this topic every once in a while. I'm going to throw my two cents in quickly here, and let the rest of the members have their say.

      Probably the best rule of thumb that I learned from this site, is not to share with others what you are being scripted and how much. The general public will never have an understanding of this, and it can at times invite some distrubing comments or work related repercussions that may not end up in your favor.

      Even if you try to keep it a secret, working in a close envioronment can be a problem, for the simple fact that your eyes may be a dead give away to those around you. Most of the time, when taking pain med's the pupils will be what I call "Pinned" or constricted down tight. This may be indeed the difference of what they are seeing with you. Maybe?

   You are right that it is not anyones business, so becareful shareing the fact that your on them. Also many company's will frown upon and have policys in place, for saftey reasons. I think you may be looked at, as a lability in the work place as well....Just be careful!

    SE

As mentioned...it has been discussed before...but it's always worth mentioning again to limit who knows about your medication to your spouse/partner if you choose, your physician, and possibly the HR director if you had to take a drug test for the job..

Otherwise...I don't share with even my closest friends...I am living and helping take care of my mom right now and she has my printed list of meds in case of any emergency...and I have hers...but no other family knows..

They know what my past surgeries were and about my tumor...and that I take 'medicine' but not the details..


Your medical information is yours alone..and the decisions you make are between you (collective you) and your physician. Some people who have very understanding spouses it's good to be able to share this info for safety reasons...any change in medicine and side effects...as well as going with you to the Dr. and learning about how chronic pain affects your life...

It can be very detrimental to your job to have not only the gossip that goes along with the medicine...but the 'ignorance' that most have about CP and pain meds...but also the judgments...

As well as break ins happen from 'friends of friends' who know about these meds and their street value....As well as young adults who steal these meds from homes (their own or friends' parents) to take or sell while as people keep them in the bathroom at times....

Those are very dangerous situations that can happen (and are more frequent than we realize...especially with teenagers nowadays..

It is our duty as pain patients to tell the absolute LEAST amount of people about our meds to keep both ourselves safe and others...As well as our Dr. expects us to be 100% responsible for what happens to limit stolen or 'lost' medication..

Another issue I have seen lately from people I know on Facebook (friends from my past) is that people talk about their surgeries...and the meds they got from the DR...they aren't cp'ers....so they really don't know....but criminals these days are scouring the internet to look for this type of info to break in these homes to steal!....And again...for their friends' kids to take a few when visiting..

To the OP...glad they think you aren't on them anymore...if anyone...at work...friends...or some family...ever asks you...just say..."I keep my medical information private..but thanks for caring about me"....and move on!...be polite...non defensive..but firm..

I agree that your medication information should only be shared with a spouse/immediate family that you are living with and your doctor. If you have a close friend that understands, maybe you can talk to them also.

I have 2 teenage boys that live with me that know I take pain medicine. My pain medication has never been an issue with them. I keep my meds locked up in a lockbox and they do not know where it is. I only take out a days supply at a time and that works for me.

I also have 2 very close friends that know I take pain meds, but they do not know what/how much the dosage is, etc...

It is difficult for a chronic pain person to hide that they take pain medicine just simply because people that are around them a lot or live with them do see when they are in the severe pain that we get. I do not talk about the pain medication and I do not talk about being in pain. But I have been asked several times by different people if I am in pain because I look like it.

Hope this helps!
Trudy

If someone were to do a google search of your username here at HW, your potst from here can come up. that is another reason not to be putting what you take in your sig lines and be careful of even what is said in the cyber world.

I believe it was PetesTrip messing around with his computer one day and found this out.

[quote]IMHO and experience, NOBODY at work needs to know what you are taking

If one is talking about co-workers I agree, but if one is talking about informing your employer or potential employer that is a big MAYBE!.

As I brought up in another post there are certain professions where you are required by law to inform your employer of either all Rx'd medications or in some cases only those that may pose a safety issue.

I think here there is a law that states you have to disclose if you are taking any medications that may impair you ability. eg: if your operating machinery or driving. I tell my hubby and daughter exactly what I take but ever since my neighbor spoke her mind to me about her thoughts on narcotic pain meds (not knowing I was on them) I am more careful. I just did not realize how some people perceive these. If you need them you take them if they stop working stop taking them if you don't have pain don't take them, its that simple.