Prescription Narcotics?

[AKL_Megs]

Is it a violation of my HIPAA rights for my employer to ask me WHY I have a prescription to a narcotic?

I ask because, in my line of work, we are not allowed to be under the infulance of narcotics, prescribed or not. Of course, on our days off, we are allowed to take them.

About six months ago, I had a REALLY bad case of strep throat, and was prescribed Vicodin. I took most, but have a few left over. I still have my prescription bottle and everything.

There is something wrong with my foot. I have an appointment with a doctor, but not until next week. I am suffering while I am at work, but those Vicodin are calling my name, and I would like to take them over the weekend.

My question is, if I DO take them over the weekend, and I am then drug tested, since I HAVE my prescription, there is nothing my employer can do, correct? Even though my prescription bottle is from 6 months ago, they can't ask my WHAT the script is/was for, right?

 

[golfgal]

I am not an expert but if your employer has a legitimate reason to know that information, and in your case they do, I don't think it is a violation of any of the HIPPA regulations. Personally, why take the chance of getting fired?

 

[AKL_Megs]

I am not an expert but if your employer has a legitimate reason to know that information, and in your case they do, I don't think it is a violation of any of the HIPPA regulations. Personally, why take the chance of getting fired?

Exactly, which is why I am asking. I guess I am talking out of my "foot"

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

If push came to shove, you would be at fault since the drugs were prescribed for another instance, not the foot pain. You would be at fault. I by no means agree with it, but I am sure that your employer would be in the right. Sorry. Hope your foot feels better.

 

[AKL_Megs]

If push came to shove, you would be at fault since the drugs were prescribed for another instance, not the foot pain. You would be at fault. I by no means agree with it, but I am sure that your employer would be in the right. Sorry. Hope your foot feels better.

Thanks! I hope so too!

 

[sbell111]

Throw away the vicodin.

 

[CathrynRose]

I worked for a company (at their corporate, in IT, but....) that DID drug testing.

From talking to the clinic directors - because of HIPAA, the only time you'd be 'reported' is when the amount of medication is above and beyond a prescription. Not that it shows up.

When a normal blood level for Vicodin is such and such - and someone's would show up *SUCH AND SUCH AND SUCH* that is when an issue would arise.

You're fine.

 

[scrapquitler]

We are supposed to report to our employer if we are on a prescription narcotic. As far as I know, they don't ask WHY they just want to know in case you become impaired. Now, the fact that you might be taking it for something 'other than that for which it was prescribed' might put you in jeopardy of being accused of abusing the prescription. Personally, I wouldn't do it. But that's just me. Better safe than sorry in my opinion.

 

[npmommie]

Is it a violation of my HIPAA rights for my employer to ask me WHY I have a prescription to a narcotic?

I ask because, in my line of work, we are not allowed to be under the infulance of narcotics, prescribed or not. Of course, on our days off, we are allowed to take them.

About six months ago, I had a REALLY bad case of strep throat, and was prescribed Vicodin. I took most, but have a few left over. I still have my prescription bottle and everything.

There is something wrong with my foot. I have an appointment with a doctor, but not until next week. I am suffering while I am at work, but those Vicodin are calling my name, and I would like to take them over the weekend.

My question is, if I DO take them over the weekend, and I am then drug tested, since I HAVE my prescription, there is nothing my employer can do, correct? Even though my prescription bottle is from 6 months ago, they can't ask my WHAT the script is/was for, right?

I think you would be fine to take the vicodin. You have a prescription for it. It is prescribed for pain.
If your employer were to test you and asked you why you have the script you can answer honestly pain.
Yes it was sore throat pain, and now you have foot pain, but it is still pain.

they do not have access to your medical records from your doctor. They cannot call your doctor and ask why they gave you a prescription for vicodin.

and actually I am kind of amazed your doctor prescribed you vicodin for strep throat. not a normal thing to do. I know strep can be pretty painful, but that is outside the norm to do that.
and also if the pain is that bad in your foot that you feel the need to take a narcotic painkiller, maybe you should see a doctor sooner for what ever is going on with it. It could be something serious.
let us know how it goes

 

[ShesAPirate]

and actually I am kind of amazed your doctor prescribed you vicodin for strep throat.

That was my first thought, too! I've never heard of that before.

Vicodin is dangerous and scary stuff. I've seen more than one person become dependent -- so I also agree with whoever said to throw it away

But as far as the company asking why... I don't know, that sounds like some kind of invasion of privacy. What happened to doctor-patient confidentiality? How did they even find out about it in the first place?

Hope your foot feels better fast!

 

[aprilgail2]

We can't even take nyquil the night before we are going to work- if we have a perscription we have to call the company Dr BEFORE taking it to inform them of what we are going to be taking- if its anything with codeine in it or any typeof narcotic you are not going to work until you have stopped taking that perscription.
My friend had hurt her foot at work, taken a pain pill at home that night- got called for random drug testing at work and it showed up. She was out of work for NINE months and had to attend drug counceling! She was SO embarrassed- one pill without informing the company and she is labeled a drug abuser!

 

[LuvOrlando]

To be safe you might want to call your Dr and tell him exactly what's going on. That you have these meds left over are in a great deal of pain and would like to take them for the pain this weekend until you can get in to see him.

Under a Dr's orders the Dr can write you a letter of support in case you do happen to get tested within 72 hrs. He/she might be unwilling to do that if you don't include them in the loop up front even if the bottle is in your name because, like other pps said, the medicine was for a different incident so technically isn't for your foot. Maybe it wouldn't be a big deal most of the time but with something like your job, why take chances?

My DH had to undergo drug testing to get his new job. He happened to get a migraine over the weekend so he took one of my Fioricet. Now, my Dr had told him previously to use mine whenever necessary since my prescription is maintained regularly and he didn't want so much of it in my house. Anyway, come Monday he was called in for the screening which was, of course, positive. But everything was fine because we got him a note from the Dr which he sent to his prospective employer saying he took the medicine with his prior consent and knowledge. The employer did follow up with the Dr via phone call after the fact to make sure the note was genuine. It's not hard to avoid a big mess, just make sure you take care of things ahead of the curve.

What I wouldn't do in your case is take the medicine and hope everything slides into place. There is a fine line between necessary usage and abuse and that line sits directly with the Dr's opinion, as long as you respect that condition you'll be fine.

Feel better

 

[DebbieB]

If your job is something like a pilot or air traffic control, then there is a legitimate reason why you can't be under the influence of a narcotic. I don't think they have to know why you are taking it but the fact that you are. I don't see where the reason matters, you are not fit to work.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since you are a flight attendant, you would be risking losing your job. Not a good idea to take a narcotic under those circumstances.

If your foot is in that much pain to need a pain pill, you need to see a doctor today and not wait.

Call your doctor and see what he can prescribe for you in the interim if he cannot see you in their office.

You need a documented prescription plan to CYA.

 

[livie1205]

under the law you can take it until the scrip runs out or script expires...why would she throw it out? not everyone that takes it gets hooked....I have taken it for migraines given to me by the nero dr and I have never had to take a higher dose or up my script.There are alot of drugs that you can be in danger of getting hooked but does not mean you will.She can legally take it until its gone,it was given to her by a dr, it does not matter what the reason was.OP if your foot hurts that bad,take it dont suffer. I had to to it for a month solid when I had a kidney stone while waiting for them to decide if they were doing surgery...they did and I took it for a few days after also...did not get hooked when the pain was gone I stopped using it.
I have seen drs give it for strep,my dr gave me codene for a bad case of bronchitis (sp?) . good luck keep the bottle so you can show it was given to you and when the script expires and you should be fine....and dont take it at work.

 

[npmommie]

not everyone that takes it gets hooked...
I have seen drs give it for strep,my dr gave me codene for a bad case of bronchitis (sp?) . good luck keep the bottle so you can show it was given to you and when the script expires and you should be fine....and dont take it at work.

true not everyone gets hooked, I don't think she is hooked since she still has the script from 6 months ago
and rearding the codeine for your bronchitis, that is the norm, its to help suppress your cough, especially at night, I assume you got cough syrup with codeine.

 

[CathrynRose]

true not everyone gets hooked, I don't think she is hooked since she still has the script from 6 months ago
and rearding the codeine for your bronchitis, that is the norm, its to help suppress your cough, especially at night, I assume you got cough syrup with codeine.

And Vicodin is Hydrocodone - a synthetic codeine.

My g/f has gotten Vicodin for strep, or bronchitis, as she is allergic to codeine.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks all!

I am just not going to take the pills. I'll suffer through. Hopefully some good R&R will help me get through the weekend. It's feeling a little better today. which is good!

Isn't it funny, EVERYONE thinks it is so strange that I got Vicodin for strep! But honestly, it was so painful that I could hardly breathe or swallow. My next stop would have been the emergency room, it was that bad. I was in tears. The doctor said it was one of the worst cases he had seen in a while. (I also got Z-Pac and anti-inflam's.)

Of course, the Vicodin didn't take the pain away, per se, but I just didn't care anymore!

 

[npmommie]

And Vicodin is Hydrocodone - a synthetic codeine.

My g/f has gotten Vicodin for strep, or bronchitis, as she is allergic to codeine.

Pretty sure I know all about what vicodin is and what its normally prescribed for

Thanks all!

I am just not going to take the pills. I'll suffer through. Hopefully some good R&R will help me get through the weekend. It's feeling a little better today. which is good!

Isn't it funny, EVERYONE thinks it is so strange that I got Vicodin for strep! But honestly, it was so painful that I could hardly breathe or swallow. My next stop would have been the emergency room, it was that bad. I was in tears. The doctor said it was one of the worst cases he had seen in a while. (I also got Z-Pac and anti-inflam's.)

Of course, the Vicodin didn't take the pain away, per se, but I just didn't care anymore!

LOL!! It is certainly not the norm, but in extreme cases I can see it,but now I am going to ask did you why did you wait to see the doc til the strep was so bad you could hardly breathe or swallow??

 

[AKL_Megs]

Pretty sure I know all about what vicodin is and what its normally prescribed for

LOL!! It is certainly not the norm, but in extreme cases I can see it,but now I am going to ask did you why did you wait to see the doc til the strep was so bad you could hardly breathe or swallow??

Long story short, I was away from home working, and my company wouldn't let me call in sick and come home without all sorts of complications, and it just was not worth it. It didn't get REALLY bad until the day I got home.