Taking pain medications while working?

I got a root canal today, and I work tomorrow. The dentist gave me a script for Norco10/325mg...I was a bit surprised at the high dose, but then I understood why after my face was no longer numb. I took a pill and it made me a bit dizzy, and I sort of feel like I'm floating... but knocked out all the pain. I think I can work just fine (without the pain). Is it ok to do this? Last edit by squatmunkie_RN on Nov 9, '11
Dizzy and a floating feeling (that's high).. No, I would call out until I no longer needed the meds.

No you cannot legally work. It is considered working under the influence and you can lose your liscense for it. Just like if you were driving and taking a narcotic, you would be charged with a DUI. be safe and stay home.

By the way..it's Norco..not Narcoand what you are describing is definitely a "high"...there is a reason it's called "feeling NO PAIN".......You would be impaired and that is a violation of the nurse practice act. So either stay home and take the Norco, or go to work, but do not medicate...try an NSAID...you should be ok 24 hours after the root canal anyway.

If you were a patient and your nurse said she was on pain pills and felt dizzy and like she was floating would you let her care for you?

No and it scares me that you would even ask.

Nope. Best would have been to allow a few days off post-recup time. However, be safe, stay at home, and go back when no longer on the pain meds. Worst thing you could do to yourself and others is go to work under the influence.After surgery, I made sure I had a few days off before going back to gauge where I was and how I was handling myself off pain meds. Next time, make sure you have scheduled accordingly. Hope you feel better soon!

Wise words from wise people. Allnurses rocks

I would work in pain or stay home. Some people can take Norco and function fine, but you don't sound like one of them.

If you would have just taken it and didnt act high then i think you'd be fine. And getting a DUI from taking a 10mg hydro? not me

I've had many root canals and they shouldn't cause so much pain that requires norco the next day. I would find a new dentist IMHO. You really think your BON would approve of taking pain pills at work if they made you feel floaty? Would you want a nurse like that taking care of you or a loved one? Really? is all I can say.

It would be better for you to call of and use a sick day. As a nurse, you probably know that everyone has a different tolerance for pain medication. If any of your co-workers or patients complain that you appear under the influence,you can be called for a random drug test, be reported to the board and end up in a monitoring program if you have one in your state. The board isn't gonna want to hear about your pain or the fact that you had a root canal. Your judgement will be questioned and you will probably be asked why you didn't just stay home if you were in enough pain that required you to take a narcotic. It's only my opinion...

Don't drive or make decisions if you feel dizzy and like you're floating. If you make a mistake, you'll be twisting in the wind- even if it's a legal rx.....you know you're impaired- that's reckless endangerment in some places. Talk to your NM- and get on the NSAIDs as soon as the doc allows. I hope you feel better