Prescribed Pain Meds - Can I Concealed Carry?

[glockgirl51]

I am currently taking prescription meds for my rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor wants to prescribe pain meds for my pain from the arthritis. It is a controlled substance. I also just received (last Saturday) my CPL in Michigan. If I take the pain meds can I still legally carry when it is a prescribed medication?

 

[jcreek]

There's not illegal about it since it is prescribed by a physician. However, if it affects your fine motor skills or cognitive ability I would advise against it. It's not a narcotic so you should probably be ok.

 

[glockgirl51]

This is all hypothetical, of course, but the doctor says the pain med he will prescribe is a type of med that does not cause a "high" feeling. As a matter of fact, the pain med is frequently overdosed by people seeking a high that does not come. It is ok to drive while on this medication.

 

[glockgirl51]

Just a caveat here, I am very new to this site! I posted this question twice because the first time I posted, it was being moderated, unbeknownst to me, and I couldn't find my post! So, if you think you are seeing double, you are! So sorry for the mix-up!

 

[apvbguy]

it all depends on the laws in your state, in FLA it isn't an issue

 

[glockgirl51]

Thanks. Yes, my lawyer says that since it is a legally prescribed medication, unless it is making someone obviously impaired, that it would not be a problem.

 

[S&W645]

My rule of thumb is that if I'm having to take it for pain management, it is better not to be handling the weapon. Currently I have a prescription for a Schedule IV controlled substance and it normally makes me sleepy only after about 4 hours from taking. When I was taking a Schedule II narcotic, I wasn't allowed to even be reemployed by the gov'ts here in Florida. Too many risks for them which should tell you that it would also be risky for you. So it all depends on the drug but it sounds like yours would be a Schedule IV or V.

 

[jcreek]

This is all hypothetical, of course, but the doctor says the pain med he will prescribe is a type of med that does not cause a "high" feeling. As a matter of fact, the pain med is frequently overdosed by people seeking a high that does not come. It is ok to drive while on this medication.

That's extremely common with things like Vicodin or Percoset. Vicodin is a 5/500 meaning it contains 5mg of hydrocodone (the opiate narcotic) and 500mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Percoset is basically the same thing. When taking the pure form of the narcotics, humans can handle over 200mg of hydrocodone before overdosing (they'll be high out of their mind, but they'll live.) On the other hand, more than 2000mg of Tylenol in one day can cause irreversible liver damage and death extremely quickly. So when addicts try to get high off Vicodin or Percoset they actually OD on Tylenol long before the narcotic's high effects even kick in.

 

[apvbguy]

My rule of thumb is that if I'm having to take it for pain management, it is better not to be handling the weapon. Currently I have a prescription for a Schedule IV controlled substance and it normally makes me sleepy only after about 4 hours from taking. When I was taking a Schedule II narcotic, I wasn't allowed to even be reemployed by the gov'ts here in Florida. Too many risks for them which should tell you that it would also be risky for you. So it all depends on the drug but it sounds like yours would be a Schedule IV or V.

you voluntarily made a choice not to carry, fla laws did not require you not to carry

 

[tcox4freedom]

My rule of thumb is that if I'm having to take it for pain management, it is better not to be handling the weapon. Currently I have a prescription for a Schedule IV controlled substance and it normally makes me sleepy only after about 4 hours from taking. When I was taking a Schedule II narcotic, I wasn't allowed to even be reemployed by the gov'ts here in Florida. Too many risks for them which should tell you that it would also be risky for you. So it all depends on the drug but it sounds like yours would be a Schedule IV or V.

I would never be able to carry if I followed this rule of thumb. I've been in moderate to severe & acute pain 24/7/365 for years. I have been on almost every type of RX med as well because of it.

The bottom line is how the medicine effects you and the legalities in your state. Chances are if you are affected to the point of impairment you're more than likely gonna be staying in. (That's the way it is with me anyways) :lazy::smile:

-

 

[glockgirl51]

Thanks so much for giving me so much to consider. I do have considerable pain and do not want to be in so much pain that I cannot live. I don't want to take medications that make me sleepy or otherwise unable to participate in life, either. I will continue my exercising as long as the doctor approves (sometimes I am not supposed to exercise due to supposed flares from another autoimmune issue) and try to handle the pain without prescription meds. I definitely would NOT drive or use a firearm if I was in any manner incapacitated, either from social drinking (which I do very infrequently) or from any possible prescription painkillers. I took Vicodin for a short time many years ago after a hysterectomy and there is no way I would drive while on Vicodin! The "reasonable person" test is certainly a good measure to apply. Again, thank you!