Has anyone gone back to work while taking narcotics for pain?

Has anyone who is having frequent head pain/ migraines, and taking narcotics (I take hydromorphone) to relieve the pain, even though it is a temporary relief… any way, my question is has anyone returned to work after dealing with such a difficult and challenging condition of a cerebral avm and constant migraines?
my avm has not been operated on, and is unruptured, and surgery risks are very high.
I am trying to manage my migraines with different meds, and now trying botox, however results from both take time… I have been off work since April 2015, and I am a Registered nurse. I do want to return to work as soon as the pain becomes less and more manageable, but now the severe migraines are leading to partial and/ or grand mal seizures.

I would like to know if you had surgery or not, if your pain is managed and what is working for you, and if you are still on disability or if you have returned to work.

I had my avm repurture just a little over 2 years ago. Mine was on the left side of my brain. Since my surgery, I have had a headache every single day. I’m not saying that because I have had a lot, I say that because it is true. Since my surgery, I have had several partial seizures and one grand mal seizure. The only thing that takes away my pain is hydrocodeine. My neurologist thinks my pain is due to the hydro so for the 3rd time, I’m trying to stop taking the hydro again and not have any pain. I have been out of work 2 years and I’m on disability. I tell u this just to let u know what I’m going through. Hopefully u will do better. Not all cashes r the same. I pray that the Lord will heal u. Much support.

Zac Steinfeldt

As a nurse myself, I never worked while I felt impaired from narcotic. The precision required is more significant than many professions. Accomodations were made: I went into nursing education.

I have a cranial cavernous malformation (low pressure AVM 2.3cm x 1.2cm. I had a bleed about 8.5 yrs ago with light stroke. I’ve had headaches all my life, and after 1998 every minute of everyday. There is 100% risk of complication for surgery. I had my first seizure about 2 years ago. At around 6 yrs after the bleed the pain was worse than ever and I couldn’t function because the pain was so bad. Ive been on morphine daily for about 4 years. Im also on Pregabalin for Glossopharyngeal Neauralgia, and immiprimine. Doses are on the high side. Every specialist I see says they don’t know how I do it. I almost went on full disability about 2.5 yrs ago, but I’ve been hanging on, and am definitely in a better place than I was 2.5 yrs ago. I modified my work days to work 7 hrs, not take a lunch, and go home at 3:30, working 7 hrs a day. I take meds when I wake (I wake with a headache), and then take none while I’m at work. As soon as I get home I take doses 2 & 3 immediately, and try to hold off on the last one for as long as I can. This allows me to function at work and drive. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE!!! By the time Im taking meds right after work, the morning meds are wearing off very quickly, the Pain starts to increase dramatically, and I start getting dope sick, while I wait for the afternoon dose to kick in. Most often, I don’t start feeling relief and a little better by 8 PM or 8:30. This is a daily re-run of a horrible horrible nightmare. The pain never goes 100% away. The docs have told me they can’t make it go away completely, only make me feel more comfortable. It does seem its catching up with me and I seem to be sliding down the hill very slowly as pain levels increase, and I get more weerry from daily, continual, very strong drug therapy, strong headache pain, and strong left side nerve pain.

The support from Ben’s sites is the greatest contributer to me being able to keep moving forward. Truly a blessing.

Perhaps my greatest fear is that I’ll have an accident while driving and someone will get hurt. I absolutely do not go out after dark. Ever!

Best wishes to all!!

thank you for sharing your stories. zac: I was told that I shouldn’t be taking hydromorphone for migraines. but I tell my neurologist that it’s the only thing that gives me relief, it makes my mind clearer. not sure how it makes me think clearer but it does. it also helped me get through the holidays, so I could be with my family and not laying down in bed.
I’m glad there are other options for nursing jobs. thanks Eileen
good for you Ed that you continue to work and push through the pain. that takes strength.
I still have hope that either botox will work or I will consult best doctor’s again and see if there is anything to help with pain management. (my mom consulted best doctor’s on my behalf in 2003 when I was 14 but they said surgery wasn’t an option and at that time I was not symptomatic )

Hi everyone,
I did “only” have embolisation, and I went to work on day 5 after ICU, still taking novaminsulfon and ibuprofen. Actually it’s day 11 and I’m off any medication. If someone has to take meds like hydromorphin or fentanyl for longer, working and driving in general would be possible, if the medication works, the disease is stable, the side effects are known and well tolerated and there are no seizures. But you always have to ask the doctor of course. If it’s only about a bureau job so you can decide whether you try or not.

Yes, I have been doing it forany years, I did have surgery and it’s a fine line, it’s all about preparation, gotta take care of yourself and know when to throw in the towel, when to push and when to shut down, and some days it’s just not an option, first and formost is your health, sometimes I have to push thru when I know I shouldn’t and if I do I’m out of actions for the next day or two, be careful and only do what you can do, I’ve found it very helpful if people understand your situation and are willing to work with you on this issue, there’s always tomorrow and if your healthy you can do three times the work, meaning make up for any lapses in work schedule, best of luck to you,