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medicines and LTC or other licenses

powerboatr

powerboatr

Professional
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
 
powerboatr said:
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
Click to expand...
No, your not paranoid, when I had my surgery, they prescribed me OxyContin, which I refused to take, your just being cautious and careful, if you were have read the side effects of the Keytruda, you would have be scared to death, which honestly I was to a point.
 
powerboatr said:
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
Click to expand...
Yeah, will most likely impair your ability to fly if it shows up
 
thats my thinking
refuse to take it and see if there is a better mind numbing med, she can prescribe

kicked the hard pain relievers years ago and i am not interested in having them back

a laugh ...well not really but yes
my VA brain shrink-er today asked how i liked the valium for my MRI
of the head...i had not spoken to her since last month, so i know the med list is shared
i was honest
that evening at bedtime, i slept better than i have in years, i was so relaxed

thanks yall
 
Think it’s fair to have the conversation. Consider the prescribing doc may not know or was thinking about the potential faa or cdl consideration. I don’t see that as being a “google md” but an informed patient that can provide feedback requesting alternatives due to their personal situation.

My dad is a recovering drug addict/alcoholic (36 years) and will not take pain meds. Prescribing physicians always understand and pivot.
 
Good luck with the surgery. I never took anything stronger than nuprin when I had my hip replacements. But if I had needed it I had a prescription for Hydrocodone. I wrestled with the idea too and determined if I decided to use it the guns would get locked up for the duration. And work would not let me back until i passed a physical and drug test, I had retired from IT by then and was driving special needs bus so the CDL determined that.

Just keep on top of it like you are and make the best informed decisions for you.
 
powerboatr said:
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
Click to expand...
HIPAA is absolute and unbreakable, and no judge will waive it without VERY good reason (e.g. a triple murder trial). Licensing can't see it. FBI can't see it. NOBODY can see it but your doctor and you (and insurance in some cases, but they're bound by HIPAA as well).

If I'm your provider and I see you at the coffee shop, I can't even acknowledge you until you acknowledge me and initiate. I have to pretend like I don't know you. And even after you initiate, I can't mention ANYTHING regarding your treatment, even if nobody else is around, because we're not on the clock.

Source: As a software developer, I worked in the EHR world for mental health for a VERY long time (10+ years). My wife is a licensed psychologist, and runs her own private practice. Nothing in the world terrifies her more than a HIPAA violation. Even when she's been hauled into court to testify, she refused to break HIPAA, and there hasn't been a judge yet willing to release her from HIPAA, regardless of the circumstances (again, unless they are wayyy beyond severe) HIPAA is NOT what you hear about in the movies or in the tin-foil hat circles. The only time HIPAA can be broken for the authorities without a judge's waiver is if someone's life is in immediate danger (e.g. a patient says he's going to kill himself or someone else). I can absolutely PROMISE you, it won't be listed anywhere where anyone who isn't directly involved with your patient care can access it legally.

Nothing in your medical record can be legally used against you if it was obtained via broken HIPAA, and if that happens, congratulations on your new 11-digit bank balance. NOTHING in this country is more legally sacred than HIPAA. Absolutely NOTHING. Judges have lost their seat on the bench for this. Lawyers have been disbarred. Clinician licenses revoked permanently. People and facilities sued for MILLIONS.

P.S. I just asked her about it, and she said she can't even tell me if she has patients with meds & LTC. She won't even break HIPAA for ME and I sleep with her.

Trust me, you have nothing to worry about unless you give someone reason to believe that you are an IMMINENT THREAT to life (yours or others).

P.P.S. NEVER waive your own HIPAA. The only way to do that is to sign a very clearly marked Medical Information Release form that specifies exactly what you're releasing (and has provisions to specifically exlcude things). This isn't something they can just squeeze into the fine print on an application. And if they try, lie through your teeth. If they violate HIPAA to go around it, sue the holy hell out of them.
 
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I'm more worried about you catching an OUI/OVI/DWI/whatever your state calls drunk driving (and/or drunk carrying). People think a prescription is permission to drive (or carry). If you're taking a mind-altering drug, you can still be arrested, script or not. So be careful about that. If the Dr. says no driving/heavy machinery, then that means no CCW as well. You don't have to out yourself and ask about carrying.
 
powerboatr said:
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
Click to expand...
I’m a diabetic and have diabetic neuropathy which I have been prescribed 300 mg gabapentin twice daily (it was 3x a day, but I kept forgetting to take the mid day dose, and since the 600 mg was controlling the nerve pain, the doctor cut it to twice daily). It’s considered a controlled substance, because it can enhance pain killing drugs like oxy, more so than just taking the pain meds by themselves. Like you mentioned, gabapentin is mainly a drug prescribed for seizures or neuropathy. The neurologist that tested me said the max dose for gabapentin can go up to 3600mg daily.
I haven’t had any adverse effects from it like the side effects you listed. For me, it’s alleviates the extreme burning and pins and needles sensation I get in my legs feet and arms if I don’t take it.
It’s wise you’re cautious about taking any drug, and should definitely talk with your doctor about it. I’m only stating that I take it, and haven’t had any bad side effects with it.
Good luck with your shoulder surgery. I have two torn rotator cuffs that fortunately 2 months of physical therapy helped with.
 
powerboatr said:
yall know i am having shoulder repair surgery in a few days
and my MRI on the neck showed squished discs etc and maybe a nerve that is being pressured
does not hurt,
arm does but not neck
any way
my VA doctor read the MRI and sent me gabapentin 100 mg and in the dose its for nerve pain
but when i read about the drug its primarily to combat seizures(epilepsy) of which I DO NOT HAVE
but nerve pain from diabetes or shingles is also a use..i dont have either one of those either
my concern is if its listed any where the Licensing people can see it, it could negate my FAA license , my CDL and maybe LTC
not worried about the cdl part as its a non com class B to drive the bus, but still is effected by the seizure stuff
guts is saying dont take it and get a note put in my records to indicate such
this also explains why the pre op folks gave me a funny look when it popped up on my meds, it was listed, but had not arrived yet, in fact pre op is when i found out it was in med file
the side effects are scary enough, blurred vision, sleep, suicide if you stop taking it,
or am being too paranoid
thanks
i am no doctor ..
Click to expand...
I've been on gabapentin for several years for severe peripheral neuropathy, not diabetic related. Been on Tylenol #4 w/codeine for over a decade for my knee pain. For my knee replacement surgeries (both knees) and rotator cuff surgery, I was temporarily on oxycodone and tramadol. All of those are considered a mild narcotic. None of this mattered because I was legally prescribed this by a doctor. It did not affect my driver's license, my TX License to Carry, my government license to drive (vehicles, forklifts, manlifts, heavy equipment), and it did not affect my job as a Department of the Army aircraft mechanic. As long as it is legally prescribed, I wouldn't worry about it. I also have a VA rating for a mental health condition. That also does not affect any of the things I stated above. Again, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Like others here, I have been prescribed Gabapantin for years. 400s four times daily. It assists with nerve pains and my PTSD. Also oxy and hydro for pain when needed, which is rarely. Recently had a hip revision because the doc who did the initial replacement screwed it up badly. Revision scar is twice as long because of intensive repair work. So, do I take pain meds? In a word yes, but sparingly. I would say, you have nothing to worry about. Gabapantin is non addictive. Try it. If it takes the nerve pain away, go for it!
 
thanks ALL very MUCH
doc reach out this morning after i sent her a note last night
she is looking at something else
i know hipa protects us, but its amazing i already got a call this morning about nerve pain from a solicitor to get me a brace?? somebody leaked,

my large concern is the navy got me hooked on vicodin worse than doctor house on tv. i honestly do not know how i functioned my last 3 years, i had to be a super assss hole to be around, not to mention the booze enhanced personality
bad , very bad... heaven forbid they actually fix the busted back...lets medicate and move on ...mission mission mission
i finally got the stuff out of me back 12 or so years ago ,

so i am very very hesitant to go back on any mind altering med for pain, unless its absolutely needed
my alpha stem machine does wonders at pain relief and the brain fog .

post surgery pain management is going to be a test again like last time, i think its worse than giving up smoking
i could eat a carton of camel lights at a blink of an eye...
post op pain meds will be closely watched
 
powerboatr said:
thanks ALL very MUCH
doc reach out this morning after i sent her a note last night
she is looking at something else
i know hipa protects us, but its amazing i already got a call this morning about nerve pain from a solicitor to get me a brace?? somebody leaked,

my large concern is the navy got me hooked on vicodin worse than doctor house on tv. i honestly do not know how i functioned my last 3 years, i had to be a super assss hole to be around, not to mention the booze enhanced personality
bad , very bad... heaven forbid they actually fix the busted back...lets medicate and move on ...mission mission mission
i finally got the stuff out of me back 12 or so years ago ,

so i am very very hesitant to go back on any mind altering med for pain, unless its absolutely needed
my alpha stem machine does wonders at pain relief and the brain fog .

post surgery pain management is going to be a test again like last time, i think its worse than giving up smoking
i could eat a carton of camel lights at a blink of an eye...
post op pain meds will be closely watched
Click to expand...
From my experience after replacing two hips…the pain is more manageable than you think. I weaned of the “big guns” (oxy/hydro) in a week, and just went to Tylenol(and nowhere near max dose).

Given, that’s a different procedure…but I found I only really needed the big guns to sleep.

The GABA isn’t bad at all…used to give it to our older dog.
 
HansGruber said:
From my experience after replacing two hips…the pain is more manageable than you think. I weaned of the “big guns” (oxy/hydro) in a week, and just went to Tylenol(and nowhere near max dose).

Given, that’s a different procedure…but I found I only really needed the big guns to sleep.

The GABA isn’t bad at all…used to give it to our older dog.
Click to expand...
Huh…never thought about use for an older dog!
 
i saw that on a vet site last that poppe dup
its good for older dogs with arthritis

my doc touched back few minutes ago
she says
YUP understands
use it as needed not 3 times a day and see if it works or not
she can change some stuff up if needed
last shoulder i had a pain pump for 3 days
not sure if this one will be as long, but they have prescribed talwin now for pain the first week as in prescribed 12 pills
i had that post back surgery...omg it makes you see the wind in color

oh and yep i carried on active duty alot, using opiates ..
but i have come so far in 22 years of leaving the navy
just dont want to ruin it by accident as it were
 
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powerboatr said:
i saw that on a vet site last that poppe dup
its good for older dogs with arthritis

my doc touched back few minutes ago
she says
YUP understands
use it as needed not 3 times a day and see if it works or not
she can change some stuff up if needed
last shoulder i had a pain pump for 3 days
not sure if this one will be as long, but they have prescribed talwin now for pain the first week as in prescribed 12 pills
i had that post back surgery...omg it makes you see the wind in color
Click to expand...
Fwiw:

CBD also works well for arthritic dogs.
 
Gabapentin is also used for depression. It’s NOT a controlled substance as has been asserted here. You have to give your license to get controlled drugs and I’ve never had to do so.
It’s also extraordinarily safe in large doses. My former psychiatrist was part of the original team that studied it for safety in humans. One of the tests they use is called LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%), the amount of a drug that, when given a single dose, kills 1/2 of the subjects (rodents). They eventually gave the rats their body weight of gabapentin and still couldn’t kill more than 15% of them. Just an interesting aside.
 
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