that is a rough situation I know the feeling when I was working I never took my pain pills and worked, I thought I wouldn't want someone in the health care field who is on lortab. There are alternitve forms of pain managment you could try, pt, massages, acuapunture, cold packs, what not. I would try your best to get through the day then take your pain killers at home, while grading papers, that way all your students get an A because the teacher was on happy pills, that last part was a joke

I am so sorry! I was a single Mom w/out support and had to take pain meds to get through the day most of the time, They didn't really make me loopy but helped me get through the day. Looking back, I shouldn't have been working when I was in tears from pain an hour after starting work, but I had no choice if I wanted to feed and clothe my child. I probably did more damage to myself as once the cycle starts it gets worse if you don't stop the world and go to bed for a few days. But you have to do what you have to do...I wish you the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Meri
I am so sorry. I know how this feels. I am employed by the state in which I live. My job requires attention to many things as well as driving state cars. I absolutely cannot be under the influence of anything and i don't want to put anyone at risk either. Uh,..sorry state tax payers, I did not mean to wreck your car.... }does not go over very well in court.

I would agree with LBF...there may some avenues that you have not explored yet that could at least alleviate the pain to a more tolerable level without the use of narcotics and at the expense of your kiddos.

The other thing you can do is decide what type of pain is the worst and treat that very conservatively. For me...the pain sucks all the time, but it's the spasms in my low back, hips, legs that are killer even at my sit down job. The muscle relaxer I have is prescribed is 1.5 tablets x 3 / day. I take one tablet about 11:00 am...by the time it kicks in, its almost my lunch and I don't get sleepy. It wears off by 3 pm or so and it has helped me just enough through my day that I don't feel as bad. The medicine is Baclofen.

Whatever you decide or work out, I wish you the best and most pain free possible}} HUGS!!

I'm a teacher also and am currently on sick leave and am not sure when I will be able to return. I toughed it out also because I didn't want to be on meds as I taught.
I had neuralgia from birth and went misdiagnosed for 32 years. Now, because I toughed it out I have pelvic floor disorders, varicose veins in my vagina and I am on bed rest for my 3rd month as I heal from surgery.
My advice - don't be like me. Put yourself first and get healthy. As teachers we put ourselves last on the list but don't do it. You will only get worse if you go undiagnosed.
I know from experience.
Good Luck

Iagree with the advice that Fischer just gave you..... Sometimes we tough it out until the small problem becomes a HUGE problem and then we have to go have surgery, go on extended medical leave, and even go on social security disability, because we didn't take care of our bodies the way that we should have. If you can afford to get this issue corrected now, please do it, do not wait until is too late and you get major complications.

I pray that your pain days get less and less. When they get more, coping is much more difficult. I will be praying for you!

that's a horrible situation to have to deal with. do you take glucosamine or any other vitamins. i started taking it again and although my hip pain was secondary to my back pain, but it is giving me some relief. working with 2nd graders must require a lot of movement and being aware of so much. hope you feel better.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. It helps to have a place to vent. My husband is very patient but I don't want to complain too much. It's hard to understand unless you've been there. Ya know?