Pain management failed drug test

[lmull]

I have been going to the same pm center for 10 years, I have always been compliant. In January i did a random urine drug screen I was hoorified at the results there were drugs in there I have never taken even an illict drug. My name wasnt on the cup it was placed by me in a room where there were several other cups no one checked the temperature. no chain of command. In february they filled my ms contin and in march now they cut me off and said i could get narcotics from another docter but still use them for epidurals and such. Their policy is if you fail your dropped-why didnt they drop me. I saw their drug consulor and i have bad teeth but weigh 200 pounds, based on my teeth she felt i may be a meth user. I am a nurse for 24 years and am very anti drug. I am not sure what to do they have refused to retest me this is april! I feel like I have been tried found guilty and sentenced and labeled a drug addict. Also i am on workers comp. And when I mentioned that I was uncomfortable about the way the test was done THEY exploded on me verbaly that they dont make mistakes. HELP!

[sandee1818]

I have posted many times on here that when you do have a test to make sure it is clearly marked with your name and you initial the sticker on it after the nurse receives it.
It is very unfortunate but mistakes do happen all the time. The medical professionals do know this but they will get defensive when you tell the there was a mistake.
I would talk to the doctor and tell him there were several cups including yours that was not marked and you know there was a mistake because you took only your prescibed meds. After being in the clinic for 10 years the doctor should give you the courtesy of speaking to him about it. I doubt he will prescribe the meds to you again but he can give you a referral and that will help you a great deal. Worker comp will be have to be dealt with too and if the doctor would be willing to give you a referral this will be like saying maybe there was a mistake in the handling of the test itself and then you will most likely escape the black marks on your record.
Be very open and honest and tell him you have been a pt for 10 years and never had a problem. You have to be your own advocate because no one else can be.

[Opiod5000]

There simply is no easy way out, especially if you are suffering mind numbing pain and withdrawals at the same time. You need a powerful lawyer, which almost none of us can afford! You also need to start a letter writing campaign to the DEA, and you state congressman, full court press! If you can prove you're in chronic pain, which si what this law applies to, then by all rights, you should be able to get back in. But if there is the slightest chance you've taken certain drugs or vitamins like poppy seeds. then you must be retested by a blood sample, not a cheap urine test. I can only pray that you find the source of the bad result! I've been with the same Pain Management Doctor for over 12 years and never failed a single test, other than once the temperature was 2 degrees low, which they ignored since they were way behind, and they knew it had simply lost some temp due to sitting for over a half hour! This corona virus has really caused some problems for all doctors. You must wear a mask, and they take your temp right when you walk in (mine was 07.5). If I were a doctor, I don't know how I'd handle seeing many many patients every day. After being unable to know where they had been or what they have been exposed to. If the doctor gets it, we're all in deep trouble.

[jamesbm]

Why is everyone here not writing their Congresman Senator or Atty General on this matter? What gives your doctor your health care rights? Or any of your rights period? Why is our dignity being trampled on because of someone elses mistakes? Stand up! Rebel against this torture! If you was to treat an animal this way. You would be in jail and P.E.T.A. would be protesting outside the jail. Why are you putting up with this? Ive called my Atty General. I told the pain clinic i wouldnt sign that unlawful document. If we dont fight back today they will control your food intake next? What is going on here? People are dying over being cut off their pain meds sadly. The A.M.A. and C.D.C. both say it is an overreach by doctors and pain clinics of their guidelines. But we put up with the abuse? Not me! If there was a go fund me for a law fund to defend us patients that would be kool. I already called the A.C.L.U. I cant believe they havent picked up on this travesty of justice. It effects poor and disabled more than anyone,right? My clinician told me in 7days of taking opioids i could become addicted and die. Seriously. How does this idiot have a license to practice medicine? My granddad took opioids for 30 years and your telling me he shouldve been dead in 7 days? Knuckleheads? Indoctrinated liar. Cowards that protect their money and torture patients. Treat good people as criminals and criminals as good people. If your addicted you get pain medicine. Seriously? Methadone is the real reason for so many overdoses. They can try and say no,but i have paperwork that says different. Heroin is not an opioid either. Its a street drug fool. Thats why yes you can die with one use or be addicted in 7 days!! If pharmacies are producing heroin we got a problem. Liars! This is crazy people! Money corrupts. You are witnessing it. Government needing money so bad they are throwing you under the bus for lawsuit money. Hows it feel?  Go To: AMA "Inappropriate  Use of CDC Guideline should Stop" from Pain News Network  Please stay strong friends. Dont let the pain take you over. Fight against the suffering. Dont give in. Someone cares. I care. God cares.

[millertimeal]

This is what litigation for slander is designed for.  If these comments wee reduced to writing and hair follicle testing proves no recurrent pattern of any abuse, the case against the clinic would be very substantial.  Also, I would ask for the providers to be investigated by the representing state medical boards for falsifying patient information and lack of standard practices.  There appears to be a "lot of meat" here to take this clinic apart limby limb.  Yes, we have to be careful with prescribing, but there is no appetite for crucifying actual patients who need treatment.

[backhurtz]

First, these posts are over a year old, and far longer. As far as suing for Flanders and liable, there aren't grounds to sue successfully.
The contracts clearly spell out the consequences of failing the testing, missed appts, or not following the directions.

[millertimeal]

The "absolute" legality of these contracts is still being churned in the courts.  A contact that denies civil rights and or violates a person's privacy rights cannot be enforceable due to the inherent deceptions of the law in as presented to the patient.  The doctor merely is trying to CYA from the DEA.  this is being frowned o more every day.

[backhurtz]

I didn't bring up the legality because it is irrelevant to what happened. The patient signed it and unless and until the legality of them is challenged successfully, it's irrelevant at this point since most of us can not afford to challenge them in the court system.
In the mean time, they clearly state failure to abide by the terms of the 'contract'- ie urine or other compliance testing, random pill counts, no early fills, etc, no scheduled meds from other physicians, take meds exactly as prescribed, no missed appts are enforced, and failure for any of the reasons listed result in patients dismissal.
That ability to terminate patient care exists in any doctor/patient relationship.

[jamesbm]

Exactly why it will take a march of the good citizens that are not abusing drugs to set this straight. It is not up to chance that things happen in the courts. It is because people with  determination,courage and zeal fight the powers that be. Passiveness has led us to this point not made it better nor will it. Im talking about what wouldve solved the problem in the first place not the reason a horrible clinic kicked someone out.

[Ginavon]

Any Workers comp “professional Service”  is getting all their income and referrals from workers comp....do not trust ANY OF THEM NO MATTER HOW NICE THEY SEEM

[Theone9]

I am in the same boat, well mine is a bit different something that is blowing my mind right now, They said my urine test was fine but my mouth swab wasn't and showed oxycodone in the mouth swab but not the urine ? this is very hard to believe for me i been with PM 7 years. and i never took a oxycodone ever in my life so i am just stunned how this happened or what happened and how it showed 2 different things on 2 different test. please someone advise me and give me some advice on what to do thanks.

[darby01]

Imull...I just recently had the same exact thing happen to me. I don't use any drugs except what they prescribed to me and all the sudden after many years, they say something illegal showed up in my urine test. They refused to do anything at all. You've been on opioids for many years, and have never had a bad mark, but since we(or the lab) messed up, well good luck with the withdrawal! How are you supposed to find another Dr and get seen before the symptoms kick in?

[fusionc3t1]

they did not drop you because there is still money to be made from injections .

[SPinSC]

I will not take Lyrica. It was prescribed to my mom and she had a reaction to it that took her life.

[1tnckinpain]

I did try Lyrica and it seemed to work.  However the side effect was weight gain.  My doc switched over to Neurontin, which they said was basically the same.  And it worked and no side effects.  Good luck!

[tm624]

I should be starting on Lyrica some time this week and didn't know what to expect. Hopefully this will work for me. I have pain from back surgeries in my upper left leg. I'm scheduled for another MRI. So far they can't figure this out and may require another surgery. My last surgery was April 2011. I feel it's way too soon for another one. Well thanks for your help. I feel a little relaxed about taking it. The side effects are scary.

[marycarmel]

It's best if you post your own question separately so that you'll get the right responses to your question.  This original post is quite old.

I was given Lyrica several years ago and I found it to be very helpful for pain.  Unfortunately for me, it caused me to gain 16 pounds in two weeks (with no change in diet or exercise.)   Not sure what your pain is from.  I was given it for fibromyalgia, though I had a benefit from it from my RSD pain.

[tm624]

Has anyone tried  LYRICA for pain management. I will be starting on it soon and I'm a little afraid of taking it.  I hope it workings so I can forget about going a pain clinic. Don't trust them anymore.

[darlenewood52]

I am diabetic I have pain from it I also take 15 mg of oxycodone the lyrics are the best thing for my foot pain  I love them so give it a try

[tm624]

I been dismissed because I took a pill that he prescribe a year ago because I ran out and he wouldn't refill till my next appointment and of course it was different from what he prescribed so he dismissed me. I didn't know that I couldn't take an old prescription. I really didn't read the contact and didn't know because my husband fills out my paper work. What dose red flag mean is this turn in to the DEA and all stores that refill my prescription or worst arrested. What can I do to get this red flag off. I only take 2 vicodin a day and the left over Percocet from surgery last April I have three left. I guess I should through them out there not worth the trouble I'm in. Thanks for listening, tm  

[sandee1818]

I posted the list on the board. I also will look for that adress for the hair follicle test.

[lmull]

Yes if the boards were informed that wouldn't be good. But since i was a patient on this messed up test I think Hippa will protect me that way. If I had "failed" a drug screen at work thats board reportable. I am like all nurses subject to random drug screens and have never failed one .

[lmull]

If you can find me the info on the hair follicle test it would be great. I am going to try and find another pm and see if my pcp will help me he knows me well professionally and I just recently started seeing him as a patient because my health insurance at work changed anyway i get off subject somme times. I havn't been able to get a hold of my workers comp person. I have lifetime medical on my work injury thru workers comp, I don't know how this will affect changing pm. Thank you for the help. The drug list you mentioned would be great too. God bless and thanks again

[nick30]

maybe they didn't drop you because in hindsight they may have realised that there was a flaw in thier technique? i'm sure that they won't admit it.
I think it may be better for you in the long run to find a new pain manager. rather than try to find out why and all the other things, just find someone that you can trust to look after you better, it's your health and your life. if they aren't doing the right thing then leave them.

nick

[sandee1818]

I always tell those in this situation that the only test that will clear your name is a hair follicle test. They are availble online and will email or call your doctor with the results. I have had one member go this route and it cleared her name. I will try and find the link again if you would like it. It test for prescription and illegal substances and will show results up to 90 days.
Also there is 13 drugs that will hinder a test as negative for opiates. I have posted them before and will see if I can find them for you. if I am not mistaken Cipro is on that list.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Imull,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you have found us.

You have just experienced this crazy delivery system they call health care. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. You have a reputation and a liscense to maintain. If the board of nursing gets wind of this you may have a big issue. At least in my state that would be the case.

I think I would look for another PMP. If they handle drug screening in this manner how do they deal with other important procedures? I know it is difficult to change providers when you are already established a relationship with one. In my opinion you need to appeal to someone! If the PMP will not clear up this situation you need to take it further. Again, just is just my opinion. I would not want this on my medical record.

Sure they will keep you as a patient. They don't make their revenue from prescribing narcotics, they make it from appointments and treatments. You are not the only one that this has happened to but I know that that doesn't make you feel any better at this point.

I am hopeful that your PCP will prescribe you pain medications, especially with the endorsement of your PMP. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. I am hopping that you will become an active member of our community.
Best of luck and take care, Tuck

[FeCielo]

I had an experience when I was pregnant with my son. Since I was taking pain meds during my pregnancy....my OB and my PM worked closely together during my pregnancy....my OB drug tested me because she knew that the hospital would test me because I was on opiates. I came in for a regular appointment and my OB informed me that I had tested positive for hydromorphone. I was shocked and asked her if there could have been a mistake and she told me that they had tested me twice. I left and I was very confused how I could test positive for something I had never heard of. The first thing I did was get on the computer and do my own research. After just a few minutes online I found out that hydrocodone can metabilize in your body as hydromorphone. I found case study after case study on the subject. I printed several of them out and called and spoke with the nurse at the OB's office. I personally took the info to their office and at my next appointment my OB told me she had read them and then called my PM dr and also a PM friend of hers. She then apologized to me for jumping to the conclussion that I was taking other medications and at my next PM appt my dr reassured me that she had spoken with the OB and told her that the small levels of Hydromorphone were normal for a PM patient. It was a very scary experience but also a learning experience for me too.

I am sorry that this has happened to you and I wish you luck with getting it resolved.

[lmull]

Thats the really crazy part they have not dropped me as a patient. The drug screen was in January my meds were filled  that month Feb and March. They said they wanted to keep me as a patient just wont give me narcotics but they have a strict policy that is posted everwhere in the office that if u fail a drug test you will be dropped.So why hav'nt they droppedme? I think they know something wasnt right with the way the test was handled. I have a appt in my with the PA there in may. I do not want to b labeled a drug seeker addict in my records. Even crazier they told me to get my narcotics from my pcp because they thought I really need them.

[nurseaudrea]

This is so unfortunate. It is so sad to think that the nurse who told you to sit it down with the other cups does not take this as serious as she would if she were in your situation and had to be drug tested. The only time I have taken drug tests were for pre-employment and they always sealed it in front of you and you have to sign it also. It should be done that way everytime. One place did the drug test right in front of me and got the results right then so we knew no one else touched it. That was such an injustice it makes me so mad to think some people are treated this way. I did have a drug test done one time by my PM doctor but my blood was drawn. I failed it because they said there were amphetamines in it. When I went back to the dr the following week I was horrified to hear this. I have never used methamphetamines in my life. He sent me for another test and it came back fine. He believed me because we had a good relationship and I had been his patient for a long while. Well,the reason it showed the amphet. was because I had used Metabolife. I was taking it because I thought it could help me lose weight and give me energy. I found out that it metabolized into a substance just like amphetamines do and can give you a false pos. I mentioned it to the doctor but he does not believe that can really happen. I had to bring him some research on the subject before he would believe me. If these doctors are doing drug screens that can affect your life and well being they  should let you do it a second time just in case they are wrong, because it does happen.
I hope they listen to you and give you another shot.               Audrea

[Mollyrae]

Hi Imull:

Well, I really feel that they have made a terrible mistake on your part and I'm sure that they won't admit it. You instincts were right. You should have marched back in there for a second test and made sure your name was on it.

By law, the clinic has to treat you for 30 days. In the mean time you need to find a new clinic. Unfortunately they have flagged your medical record and it may make the hunt for a new clinic hard. I ma sorry and feel really bad for you, I wish I had better advise. Please keep us informed of your situation. Until then, take care and good luck in the search for a new clinic.
Molly

[BIGDADDIE]

Do you happen to know where I might find that law please please please

[backhurtz]

BigDaddie,
That law if it existed was only in a couple of states. It no longer exists if it ever did.
Many people claim the Patients Bill of Rights stated doctors were required to provide a taper or 30 days worth of meds, but that is not true.
The thing is when you break the contract, it makes it far more difficult to find a new pain management doctor willing to take you on.
I strongly suggest you start looking now. Most PM offices do not prescribe opiates on the first visit, even for patients that have been on them before coming to them.
They want the records that they will obtain from your previous PM, to check your prescription fill history and to send out a urine screen before they start considering opiates.