Last updated : July 14, 2025
The fact that living with chronic pain requires endurance is undeniable. Many people believe that it would be an unbearable fate to endure. Those suffering from chronic pain understand the true meaning of the phrase, “grin and bear it” though. Even though their body is under constant assault, they still have a life to live and they refuse to sacrifice living it to the fullest due to pain.
Lives that include active relationships with family and friends who may never truly realize exactly how much pain their loved one suffers. When you have a family to provide for and children to raise, you get out in the world and earn a living. Pain or no pain, it’s off to work you go.
Some industries require physical labor and eventually, employees bear the brunt. The construction and food service industries spring to mind, however, there are others. The medical fields involving patient care often require heavy lifting. Moreover, not everyone who suffers from chronic pain issues develops them at work. Medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, for instance, even list pain as one of its identifiers.
Prescription painkillers, such as oxycontin or oxycodone, can help ease the suffering. However, being opiate-based, if the employer drug tests, the employee would more than likely be let go if testing positive for these substances. Even if there isn’t a company drug test, an employee should think twice before reporting for work after ingesting narcotics.
Reporting for duty under the influence
No matter what position an employee has, showing up for work under the influence of a narcotic drug puts them at higher risk of being—causing, even—an accident. Worse, co-workers are placed at a higher risk too.
Narcotic pain medications induce side effects that affect the user’s thinking and motor skills.
They can include any or all of the following:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Increased risk of falls and fractures
- Depression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Physical dependence
- Overdose
Not all of these symptoms would normally put others at increased risk of harm, however, freak accidents occur multiple times a day. Anything is possible.
We should also mention here that a study completed in 2015 revealed that, although opioid pain medications were the most commonly prescribed, they did little to help improve body function. It also surmised that there is scant evidence to support the statement that opioids relieve chronic back pain.
So, in reality, the drug addiction crisis we find ourselves in may have been lessened had more research been done on these types of drugs before prescriptions started flying from physicians’ pads.
Are there other options?
Thankfully, for those who suffer, there are ways to manage pain without risking becoming addicted to prescription pain medications.
Over-the-counter relief
After physicians over-prescribed synthetic opioids, like oxycontin, for pain management which kicked off an addiction crisis unlike anything our country had ever experienced, it turns out that over-the-counter pain medications may provide the most relief for the millions of Americans suffering from chronic back pain. Name brands to look for include Advil, Aleve, and Tylenol. Users can experience side effects from taking these medications.
Side effects from taking Advil include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Diziness
- Headache
- Rash
Side effects experienced from taking Aleve are rather extensive when said and done.
Common side effects are:
- Body fluid retention
- Tinnitus
- Constipation
- Urticaria
- Drowsy
- Dizziness
- Skin rash
- Edema
- Headache disorder
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Abnormal hepatic function tests
- Purpura
- Hemorrhage
- Blurred vision
- Visual changes
- Hearing loss
- Ecchymosis
- Dyspepsia
- Vertigo
Moreover, those who use this over-the-counter drug are urged to contact their physician if any of the following side effects persist or worsen:
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Serious side effects can also accompany using Aleve and a physician should be contacted if experiencing them.
Serious side effects are:
- Easy bruising/bleeding
- Difficult/painful swallowing
- Hearing changes
- Mental/mood changes
- Signs of kidney problems
- Unexplained stiff neck
- Vision changes
- Symptoms of heart failure
It’s also notable that Aleve can cause elevated blood pressure. Those who use this medication regularly are advised to monitor their blood pressure.
Tylenol is the number one over-the-counter medication used to treat chronic pain.
Its side effects may include:
- Blistering, peeling, or red skin
- Itching
- Hives
- Rash
- Facial swelling
- Swelling in the extremities
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Hoarseness
Non-narcotic prescription relief
Lyrica, otherwise known as PREGABALIN, is a non-narcotic prescription medication that can help some who suffer chronic pain. It may provide relief by working to calm the overactive nerves within the body.
Some physicians suggest trigger point injections as a method of treatment as well. They recommend them for treating muscle pain in the legs, arms, lower back, and neck. However, trigger injections are also used for tension headaches, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome. The injections release a local anesthetic that provides extended relief after a brief course of them.
Self-management works
The National Institute of Health published an article promoting “The Pain at Work Toolkit.” It is the first digital resource that has been made available to support employees suffering from chronic pain issues. The results of this collaborative-participatory study focused on self-management tools that included symptom reporting, physical therapy. exercise regimes, or any combination of the three to manage pain in the workplace.
The study further documented the fact that chronic pain is considered a “work-related stressor” because pain interference during the workday can impact an employee’s mood and can also lead to exhaustion, regardless of pain severity. Physical limitations can increase as pain levels intensify as well. The article urges employers to familiarize themselves with The Pain at Work (PAW) toolkit. It provides the ability to recognize self-management practices the site may advise employees to adopt.
Forever is a long time
The definition of chronic pain is pain that lasts and lingers. Some people have had it “linger” on for decades and there is no end in sight. Everyone’s experience with chronic pain is different because human beings are unique. Those who suffer may one day discover a way to alleviate it forever.
In the meantime, managing their pain without the use of addictive narcotic prescription medications allows millions to carry on with daily life. And we salute them for doing so—even on the really rough days.
