Driving in Pain VS on Pain Meds

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote, " I can't take any pain meds because I have to drive my 5yr old to

school at 11:00 and pick him up at 2:30 then I have an apt at 4:00 for

nutrition counseling. I will not take pain meds when I have to drive. "

We all struggle with the decision to drive under the influence of narcotics

that have been shown to impair our judgment and response time. But, I also

often make the decision that I simply am not safe to drive under the influence

of

pain. The primary reason I was approved for disability was due to chronic pain

requiring extensive narcotics.

When push comes to shove, however, I feel I am safer taking something for

pain and getting in the car, than I am getting behind the wheel, distracted, and

in a fetal position from pain.

(This really doesn't have anything to do with your post, but it made me think

about when my disease advanced.) The most emotionally painful part of this

disease, for me, has been turning custody of my son over to his father because I

could find no middle ground, There were no more days when I was neither

taking narcotics nor in pain. I am glad that not everyone has to have situations

come to this.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International

[Guest guest]

Hi Karyn,

As far as driving with pain meds. I have drastically reduced my

driving since my whole thing started with this. First it was

because I was unable to move about enough to look over my

shoulder for lane changes or backing up. Now it is because of

the narcotic use. However, I have noticed that if I time it right, the

effects of the medicine on my driving is lessened. I notice that

usually, 45 minutes to an hour after I take the oxycodone, I have a

brief period of lightheadedness. I try to time things so I am not

driving at this time. Once this affect wears off (usually within

minutes) I do not feel as if I am adversaly affected at all.

However, if I have to double up on my meds, then I try to refrain

from driving, as I do feel " loopy " . I guess it also depends where I

will be driving: If I am in the country at home, I am not so

restrictive. If I have to go into the city or drive the freeway, then I

set higher limits on myself.

Funny how you get opposite responses from those you know: In

one breath you are condemn because you take " drugs " , next you

are accused of being anti-social when you decline invitations

that involve driving when you feel that you aren't alert enough.

[Guest guest]

Karyn,

I don't know but I just don't feel safe driving with the pain meds. My sons

school is only a block away and I still don't feel right driving that short

distance. I have been lucky recently and I have had been able to get family

members to drive him for me. I don't think I could live with myself if I had an

accident while taking the pain meds. I know that not all accidents are ones

fault. You cannot control other drivers. I recently had this happen to me on

my way home from the GI Dr's. A very old man was in the right lane, I was in

the far left lane and he decided that he wanted to go Sears and turned left

(from the right lane) right into me. I was more scared about him hitting the

right of the car where my 6yr old was sitting than anything else. I am not sure

if I would have been able to react as I did, preventing him from injury my son.

I don't care about the car but my baby was in his path. So needless to say when

I am tempted to drive while I am medicated I think about this incedent and I

don't drive. If worse comes to worse I will walk to get my son from school so i

can take the meds. Okay gotta go today is a VERY bad pain day. I can only be

up for short periods of times. So today I will spend all my time the bathroom

or on the couch. I hope I am making sense because of the meds messing with my

mind.

Simi Valley, CA

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> From: KarynWms@...

> Date: 2003/11/11 Tue AM 03:36:18 PST

> To: Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoogroups (DOT) com

> Subject: Driving in Pain VS on Pain Meds

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