Methadone maintenance. Low creatitine in urine

[mommy2rylie]

I am on Methadone (treatment center) and have never failed a drug screen in 9 years. In the past 2-3 months all my urine drug screens have come back low creatitine (14) it dropped from in the 100's suddenly. They are saying I am tampering with my urine to pass but I have been clean for 8 1/2 years now. Do not even drink. I am not tampering with my urine or drinking a lot of liquids to pass. They did an observed drug test & a random and they both came back low creatitine (diluted). Help? Recently found out I am pregnant, could this be the cause? The low creatitine started when I got pregnant (1st bad test was when I was only around 3-4 weeks pregnant).

[weaver71]

I failed a test, due to low creatinine. I was clean, but drank more coffee than usual. It was a 4hr drive and had to be there at 7:30. I hadn't eaten. Creatinine is a protien that is illiminated through urine. think Evolver is right on, I bet this is due to nutrition. Try a protien shake and avoid diaretics, like coffee and soda. Also avoid processed foods and corn syrup.. They sell creanintine supplements also. I know how you feel, I almost went to prison for something I didn't do. I did the things I mentioned, and my next test was good. Obviously I wasn't pregnant, but I know my wife had to adjust her diet while prego with our son. Her iron, calcium, and protien were low. Sorry you are going through this, I hope the truth comes to light, however that needs to happen. Congrats on the new family member, my kids are my life.

[melintx]

I know this feeling, I have been in recovery on a mmt program for 7 years, since that 1st day I started I have not used, I have 7 years of clean urines. I was 1 of the 2 ppl in the clinic that receive 2 week take home. I moved to texas had to of course find a new clinic, well first off I had to start from scratch, with the take homes and it will take me at least 1 year to get back were I was, unless I wanted to go to another clinic that was only self-pay they would honor my take home, but its 200 a week, I couldn't afford that. so I go in yesterday, now Friday I was suspose to be going up 1 step cause I had 3 months of clean urines, so they just gave me one the other day. I HAVE NOT USED, HAD NOT EVEN BEEN ANYWHERE NEAR IT. so I was told I couldn't dose till I seen the dr. I wait for 2hrs to see her, finally she gets me in her office, I did nothing wrong so I am at this point thinking its about going up a step, and its normal to see her, so she slams her fist on her desk, pulls out a paper, and screams at me and asks me " what the hell did you take, I was in shock . I asked her what she was talking about, so she tells me that my urine came back bad, that my liver and kidney part of the urine tests are threw the roof and she can tell me right now that I either 1) Tampered with it, 2) am a rageing drunk or 3) there is something seriously wrong with me. I tryed to tell her that for 7 years I have had nothing but clean UA and she knows that ,she had my file there, she would not let me defend myself, she was yelling at me cutting me off. she had her mind made up about me before I even went in the office to talk to her. and I asked her if I can take another one, that I would take one everyday if I had to . she told me she don't have time to waste on me. I was and still am in shock, from the day I started on the program, I have done nothing but give 100% to my recovery, i was very proud of myself for staying clean, i had to start from scratch there, and go everyday to begin with if i would have slipped and messed up ,i would have took advantage of the resources there, and own-up to it..and i told her that.. she told me i need to be a woman and own-up to it, and if this happens again she is throwing me off the program, i am so so upset ,i don't know how it can come up like that ,then before i was getting ready to leave she tells me to wait, and says with a smirk on her face, if you really didn't tamper with it . you better get checked because i have seen results like this 2 other times 1. in a man in full liver failure 2. in a woman with type 2 sugar. I am so upset, stressed out and now scared to death ,then i asked if i can have a copy of the paper so i can go to the ER cause i don't have insurance, and she told me no. I have never ever felt so disrespected in my life, I know there are a lot of ppl that come in keep screwing up, lying saying i didn't use , looking her straight in the eye, but that's not me i have changed my life, my recovery is so important to me. sorry to just keep going on and on, i kinda need to vent and also has anyone ever had this happen with them? and i take OTC sleep aids sometimes when i cant sleep and she was trying to say i never told her that well thank -god its on my card from my old clinic, and she had a copy sitting right on her desk . I called the old dr from the other clinic i was at ,she took time to speak to me and she was calling that dr. to vouch for me , and she wants to take a look at the test results. I am putting a complant in agaist this dr

[weaver71]

Supplements are great, but difficult to assimilate, especially iron. Fish, sea veggies(kelp, nori, arame), kale, spinach, small amounts of red meet, lots of whole grain, and plenty of water will give you and your baby all the essential and trace elements to be healthy. Amino acids are key in building your new baby and developing good brain function. Protein shakes, like spirutein, muscle milk, or ensure are great when eating is difficult and are packed with aminos. Just wanted to give a few tips on ways to strengthen the baby and you. The truth always prevails, so keep taking care of the two of you and being honest. It will work out. Anxiety and stress are not good for the baby either, so try to relax and feel your love for your family. I hope it gets better soon. Keep us posted on your progress.

[EvolverU]

Hi! It's nice to see you again!. How's it going? Do you feel better since you've been supplementing your Iron levels? Did your Dr. run a full metabolic panel on you? I know you mentioned you have no appetite but It's so important that you eat and drink enough.

I find it incomprehensible that your clinic Dr./Nurse Practitioner would not want to 'cover' themselves by checking you out. I'm sorry you have to wait until the 20th to see an OBGYN. Why won't the Dr. you saw inform your clinic about your low iron count/anemia? I'm not sure where you live but here in MA, this is something that would be brought to the Dept of Public Health if the clinic is negligent in recognizing a documented health condition (particularly with a high risk pregnancy.) Did your Dr. find out if you have an underlying condition besides the pregnancy to explain all this? I'm concerned for you..

[mommy2rylie]

Sorry, no I didn't eat right at all before I found out I was pregnant. Trying my best to now but have very little appetite. Have to make myself eat.

[mommy2rylie]

I am taking iron supplements now and feel better but my clinic could care less. I'm 33 and had precancerous cells removed from my cervix after I had my first child. So, I am High Risk during this pregnancy. I see my OBYGN on the 20th but my family doctor found the very low iron. It was so bad that I would be walking and feel like I was going to pass out, so tired and just didn't have an appetite. I'm hoping my OBGYN will give me paperwork stating pregnancy & low iron can cause my urine creatitine to be so low. The urine tests started coming back as diluted (low creatitine) right when I first became pregnant. My counselor doesn't like me & shows differential treatment between me and another one of her patients. She took my take homes and said it was mandatory state law that she take them for 30 days. She didn't take the other patients for 30 days. My clinic is awful. Should I try to see my OBGYN quickly? They took mine on April 10th. Thanks for all the help.

[Leroy23]

Is this a clinic in TN?  I've been researching creatinine levels; apparently, these levels run naturally lower in women & are directly related to weight & BMI.  I feel I am being descriminated against b/c I am a 115 lb woman.  Also, I am clean...very clean!  How can we fight this?  It is my understanding it is not a TN state law, is it just my clinic in rural TN.  Does anyone have any info?

[EvolverU]

Also, mild anemia is not uncommon in pregnancy. This would cause the iron deficiency. You must have this checked out! Are you seeing your OBGYN and/or a nutritionist. Have you talked to your clinic? Your flag number is about 5 under what they'd consider a problem. They should realize that this isn't necessarily a dilution issue!

[EvolverU]

Do you eat lean protein ? How's your liver?

[mommy2rylie]

My Urine Creatitine was 14 and I just found out my Iron is also low. Could this be the cause? I am clean and have done nothing to warranty a diluted urine test and I am scared I may have a serious problem. All my urine tests since becoming pregnant have been this way. I told them I am pregnant and they seem not to care. The doctor just kept saying, "Whatever you are doing to dilute your urine stop!" She wouldn't let me talk or anything. I feel very discriminated against. I've been there (AND CLEAN) for 9 years and was actually coming down when I got pregnant. I also had two weeks take homes but they took those because of the low creatitine. I have had tests done and now I am waiting to see my OBGYN to find out for sure what is the problem. I'll be sure to update you all when I find out.

My daughter just turned 4 and we are super excited about our new edition to our family. I know what you mean weaver71, my daughter is my life as well. Thanks!

[EvolverU]

Hey there & Welcome! Thanks for posting. There are several reasons why your creatinine numbers could be low. (do you know how low,btw?) 1) Liver disease. 2) low protein in your diet & 3) Pregnancy. These are the ones that I'm aware of.

Have you told them you're pregnant? Are you pregnant AND not eating enough real protein? Perhaps you should to talk to both your clinic Dr. and your OBGYN about this. If you have some type of protein deficit while pregnant it's really important to have this checked out! (It goes without saying that you should be seeing an OBGYN as your pregnancy progresses - being on Methadone makes this all the more important.)

I'm so sorry that you had to endure a 'monitored' urine. I know that it's dehumanizing. (I used to be on a clinic that did those until they got accredited by CARF.) Is your clinic planning to raise your dose as a result of the pregnancy? They usually do, since the baby 'eats' some of your dose. They don't want you sick in case it causes stress on the fetus. I don't think they can throw you off while you're pregnant, though, they can certainly take away any and all takes out you might have and monitor your urines. Why not have your Gynecologist find out what's going on and have her/him call your place?

I'm sure that other MH'ers will give you the benefit of their wisdom/experience. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy & your dealings with your clinic. Hope this helps a little!