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Drug tested when asking for pain meds refillI hurt my back in early July 2008. I went to my doctor he did xrays and they showed damage. He prescribed some Vicodin. This has helped well. He said I needed to go to a Physiatrist. I had my first appointment, and have scheduled for injections, however this will not happen for two more weeks. This spine doctor does prescribe pain meds, but I was always told by my sister (MA) to always get prescriptions of this type from the same doctor, otherwise it will look like you are an abuser, so I did not approach this doctor. Since it is acting up again, I called my doctor for a refill; the next thing I am being called in for a test. Please tell me why my Dr. would order this? I have been seeing him for nearly three years, and am seriously considering looking for a new one after this incident. First of all I am not an addict/seeker or whatever name they go by these days. Any thoughts? Thanks so much. D
( categories: Chronic Pain and Pain Management )
If it said test for chronic
If it said test for chronic narcotics user he probably has a policy where if he were to be constantly prescribe you narcotics then he wants to make sure your not taking anything you shouldnt be. Are you sure it was actually even a drug test? You said you were called in for a test not a drug test. Perhaps he has some test he does for people that he prescribes pain killers to or something. It is rather common practice for pain management docs to give drug test before starting a long term narcotic regimen to cover their own behinds incase someone is a drug seeker/abuser. I dont know what a physiatrist is but if they are the one treating you for your pain condition then they are the one who should be prescribing you your pain medicine. I would not worry about having to ask two different docs because it isnt like you have a script from two doctors at the same time. Your primary doc gave you one and now that you need a refil you could ask your new doc or the old one. If you were going to two different docs every month getting scripts then that would be a problem. Thanks for responding so
Thanks for responding so quickly. The nurses assistant told me on the phone that the dr wanted me to take a test at the lab. She did not inform me what the test was for. I went immediately because I thought he may need this test for some other reason dealing with my back. It was only when I read the paper that you give to the lab that I found out it was for chronic narcotic use. The person in the lab wouldn't even look me in the eye, it was possibly the most embarrassed I have felt in a very long time. Needless to say I am still very embarrassed that someone that I trust would ask me to do something like this. He has not gotten back with me on the refill request or the status of my drug test. I am seriously thinking of changing doctors, but I am sure that wouldn't look very good either.
you can change your doc
you can change your doc whenever you want. Just tell the new doc you are looking for a second opinion on your condition. You still never said how you know it is an actual drug test. Was it a blood test or a urine test? And as i said earlier....perhaps the the reason he is making u take it is because he has a policy that if he has to chronically prescribe pain meds he wants to make sure that your not a drug abuser.  I wouldn't take it so
I wouldn't take it so personally about the test. Alot of the doc's are doing it now and I think it's a great idea. This way he can see if you are getting different meds from somewhere else. You say you have been seeing your doc for 3 years. Has he been giving you the Vicodin for 3 years? If he has, he also might be checking your Liver function. He is just looking out for your best interest and covering his butt! Can't say as I blame him. Drug testing for Chronic Narcotic Users
I don't mind taking a drug test at all for my doc.....There is even a big sign on the wall in each exam room that says If you're prescribed narcotics in this office you will be drug tested...I'll do anything to make it hard for people who are abusing/diverting their medications making it hard for the rest of us. Ray test
I agree with Ray/skittleslover-expecially the part about catching the abusers who make it hard for everyone else , same with my pain doc, my first appt. I had a drug screen, and there are also notices in each exam room as well saying they can give you a random one at any time. I understand why you feel the way you do though, but like the others said it is very common now to give drug screens for prescribing narcotics. I wouldnt change docs just yet, I would see if the spine doc will give you a refill. but be prepared for a drug screen, they might give u one there too. ohh and a lot of times, drug screens are done right in the doctors office, and then they have a pre-liminary result there, (a dip stick), then they send it to a lab. It is not unreasonable to
It is not unreasonable to order a urine drug screen on anyone who needs narcotic pain medication for more than two weeks. It is probably nothing personal, and probably shows good practice standards at your doctor's office. "Chronic narcotic user" does sound a little ominous, like calling someone "obese". There is a negative emotional response, and doctors sometimes forget that. Unhappily, many patients become addicted because their doctors prescribe addicting drugs to them. It would be irresponsible for a doctor to prescribe medication and not monitor you for side effects, including addiction. I agree it is a good idea to
I agree it is a good idea to periodically drug tests for other illicit drugs and to make sure the narcotics she prescibes is in your system. There are so many addicts that use the system and it end's up hurting the chronic or severe pain patients. You always read about addicts fooling doctor's for narcotics who end up selling them. The Oxycodone IR's now are being scrutinized as much as the Oxycontin's now which make many doctor's hesitant to RX them. That hurt's chronic pain patients like me who use them as prescibed and many times less. It was a urine test that my
It was a urine test that my doctor gave me. To be clear I have not been on these medications for three years just on and off since July this year. I just don't understand all this paranoia regarding these medications. Especially since I moved to this city. It is rather frightening to know that if I were to develop chronic/severe pain that my doctor would think for a minute that I would abuse them. I go to the doctor only when it is a severe condition and cannot fix it myself. What is really frightening
What is really frightening is that you think that you are NOT at risk for developing addiction. Addiction is a disease that doesn't come with a simple predictive blood test, and can develop in well-off, professional, employed, nicely dressed and groomed, well-educated, clean-living, church-going, God-fearing, upright law-abiding citizens, with little children at home, who volunteer to be on the PTA and deliver meals for home-bound seniors, without tatoo's and body piercings. Most of my suboxone patients are SHOCKED that addiction could ever happen to them. If you want to start to understand "all the paranoia" (I would call it deep concern), attend your local AA or NA meeting and see what addiction has done to some people's lives. You are right
You are right Dr. Lois one never knows. Thankfully I have a husband that would leave me in a second if I ever became an addict to anything. Which would mean losing my three children, three dogs and cat. I love them all much more than anything that is drinkable, or any pill... My Dr. assured me that as all stated here it is protocol to take a drug test. Since I am rarely in need of these medications I was completely unaware of this, hence my concern. He approved my refill, and hopefully will be pain free until I can make a more educated decision on the injections. D Many of my patients have
Many of my patients have successfully hidden their addiction from their spouses, doctors, and family members for years. I don't think a husband who would leave you in a second if you ever developed an addiction is something to be thankful for. Addicts love their husbands, children, dogs and cats as much as you do and much more than they love heroin or alcohol, or vicoden. You still don't get it. Self-righteous viewpoints like yours further stigmatize adddiction and cast shame on the addict. This type of attitude makes addiction more difficult to treat and makes it more difficult for addicts to seek care. I am not sure
Dr. Lois, I don't appreciate being called self righteous. Both my husband and I have addicts in our family, and I am aware of the outcome of someone innocently being on pain medications. I am also aware that most of the time it is a choice not something that someone is dragged into kicking and screaming. Please refrain from being so nasty to people that are asking simple questions. If I came off as self righteous to you, it sounds like you have a sore spot, and am glad that I am not your patient. Again, thank you for your sound advice before and as I stated I care way more for my family than anything else... D Sorry that you don't like
Sorry that you don't like being called self-righteous, but that is what it is when people believe they are impervious to error, lacking in moral humility, when they are convinced of their own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others (per Merriman-Webster). I don't claim
I don't claim to be righteous or impervious to any thing. I do know myself and know when to say when. You however are one of those people that do not have faith in other peoples abilities to know when to say when. I do feel for people that do get addicted to things and didn't know when to stop. As far as my husbands willingness to leave me if I became an addict, I think it is a great deterrent for me and any addiction. As I have stated before we have seen this in our families and know what would happen if we started taking medication that is not prescribed or began drinking excessively. Dr. please don't quote the dictionary to me, as you my find me sending some descriptions that you may not like. I really thought this would be a good way to converse about something I was curious about. I did not post here to be snapped at or called silly names. I sincerely hope that if you do respond to a true addict that is really calling out for help that you have a little sympathy and not be so harsh as you were with me. Thanks again to all that were kind and did not take what I said as pompous and self righteous. I hope that anyone that does have an addiction to pain meds gets all the help they deserve and comes out ok. If you want a sympathetic ear, I am here. D Husband leaving
I know this post appeared some time ago but I only just read it and felt compelled to post. I think the good dr was only pointing out that it would be sad if you were to develop a problem i.e. addiction with your meds that your husband would just up and leave you without first trying to help you get better. Remember your vows "in sickness and in health"? I personally would not be very confident in my marraige or in my husband's love for me if I knew he would leave me the second the chips were down. Pain med addiction can happen to good people as stated earlier and sometimes the patient does not even realize what is happening until it is too late. Pain med tolerance is the number one cause for this and not much is explained to the patient before hand that thier bodies can become tolerant and meds might not work as well often resulting in the patient taking more of thier meds to attain the relief they once got from initial doses. Thanks Sweet P
I didn't mean to sound mean to Dr. Lois, it is just that it felt like she was attacking me as if I was standing on some moral high-ground; and looking down on others who were unfortunate enough to become an addict. Also, I am sure that was an empty threat on my husbands part. I firmly believe that some people can realize what is happening and take control of the situation. If everyone that ever took pain medication became an addict; this world would be a really sad place to be. As I said in my other posts I was just looking for an answer to a simple question, and did not need for this person to be hard on me. My husband and I both have seen what addiction does and has done to some of our family members. Just like some people are easily addicted, there are those of us who can avoid addiction. Sweet P thank you for being kind. You are most welcome
DeeSaree, I just found this forum and I think the people on here are a godsend. You name it and they are talking about it. I am glad your husband was not serious about his threat, with all the pain you deal with on a regular basis that's the last thing you would need to worry about. Good luck to you and happy posting.
Sweet P  This is off topic but...
I am not trying to get into your business and I realize lots of people take these type of injections. But, you should Google "Epidural Steroid Injections and Adhesive Arachnoiditis" before you submit to any injections. Just so you will know the risk involved in this type of procedure. http://www.arachnoiditis.co.uk/epidural-injections.htm http://www.apsf.org/resource_center/newsletter/2004/spring/10steroid.htm http://www.burtonreport.com/InfSpine/AdhesArach&;PoisonedMedicine.htm  a test for "chronic
a test for "chronic narcotics user" could very well be just a test to make sure you have no bad side effects like liver damage ect. from the meds. it would be irresponsible for a doctor to prescribe any meds without checking your liver function ect. to make sure the benifits of taking the drug outweigh the risk.  For D
It's a shame for people like you and I that we have to be exploited to the ways of today, but others are out there that DO drug shop, and fake symptoms to obtain illegal pain killers among other type drugs. I too had to do this, only I am great friends with my doctor, and she is also subjected to her bosses to make scripts written provable. She is being second guessed and this embarrasses her as well. You're not being singled out at all. If given a narcotic for over a period of time, she is required by law to test to make sure your not getting these drugs to abuse or sell for profit. It probably was as awkward for your doctor as it was for you. Many, many people have made this unjust testing forced upon you, I and the Doctors. I would stay with the one you have. He/she knows you and your health history, and it's so very hard to get another doctor to be as wise to your needs. Starting all over again with another doctor is time consuming, and tedious when you seem to have a great one already. If you were to ever abuse, I would hope you'd want to be found out and immediately helped, I've buried friends because their doctors didn't pay attention or just didn't care. Have a nice chat with your doctor next time. Relay your feelings, it'll be off your chest and the air cleared. Good luck!! ..:::♥ISO♥:::.. In my state there is no such
In my state there is no such law, but good practice standards recommend regular testing. If you want to stay on the good side of the DEA, urine drug screening and a written drug screening protocol will help, but there is no specific federal requirement. Thanks ISO
I was just telling my husband that same thing the other day. It is a shame that the people that do not abuse these medications are put through the same rigors as people who do. I am going to stick with my Dr. because you are right, I do not want to go through all the getting to know you's all over again, additionally, it would look like I was doctor hopping. His nurse explained to me that is was nothign personal and proper protocol of the hospital he is associated with to do random drug testing. Since it has been years since I have taken these I did not know this. Hopefully all this pain will be over once I research these injections and fix this problem. I know it may be hard for people to believe, but I hate being on those things, they really make me feel sleepy and give me awful headaches when they wear off. Also, I am always unable to sleep for a few days after stopping them. Thanks again for your kind words. D Thanks to all
I would like to thank everyone here who answered all my questions and concerns. You were all so helpful and some of you gave me some educating in the areas that I will need to be educated in regarding drug abuse. Since I have kids I will need to know some of these things. So you all know I passed this drug test, my refill was approved. My doctor explained that it is protocol with the hospital he is associated with and he did not consider me an addict. Thanks goodness, I would hate to have another doctor see me naked!!! Thanks again everyone. D
 Same deal in Ohio & Maryland
Hi D, I agree with pretty much everything the others have told you. My pain issues have followed me through two moves - from Ohio back to Maryland (home state) and back to Ohio again. I've seen my old primary care doc in Maryland who I've seen for over 18 yrs, and I've dealt with a pain mgt center in Maryland, a new primary care doc here in Ohio, as well as a pain mgt center in Ohio. I'm used to the drug tests by now, AND both in Maryland AND in Ohio, I have had to sign almost identical papers (long-term narcotic use "Doctor/Patient Contract" stating:
The form states at the bottom that if I were to break this contract or break any rules in it, that the doctor has the right to terminate me as a patient immediately! Yes, it IS sad that doctors have to do this, but I've researched a lot about my back problems and about drug therapy, etc., and once you do some reading, you'll see WHY doctors are doing this! They are simply paranoid due to lawsuits and criminal penalties. Doctors are walking a VERY fine line these days, and I think it's so sad. The doctors who ARE willing to help us reduce our CHRONIC pain are the ones who are at high risk for problems, problems and more problems :(
* * * SUGGESTION * * * ! ! ! RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH ! ! ! Thanks to a LOT of reading and researching that I've done on my own, I've been able to help my doctors with my treatment. REMEMBER... no one knows YOU and YOUR pain like YOU do! Before having injections and/or ESPECIALLY before having any major surgery, I STRONGLY suggest YOU research every and anything you can find on the subject, and never be afraid to get a 2nd opinion! Take care, and good luck with your treatment! Deb/Youngstown, Ohio ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Sometimes I lie awake at night and ask, 'Where have I gone wrong???' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night...'” as an example of what
as an example of what doctors go thru a girl i know went to the doctor to get pain meds. first she got lortabs told the doctor they were not working so he prescribed percocet after a short while she said the percs were not working so he gave her oxycontin. she was abusing the pills,so she would take them all then go back say they did'nt work and get something else. after 4 or 5 scripts in one month the doctor figured out what she was doing and cut her off. then she had the nerve to sue the doctor saying he got her addicted. this happened years ago you could'nt get away with it nowdays but it's people like this that make it hard for people who need pain killers to get them. To the person who said they
To the person who said they knew someone who went back multiple times a month saying "x" wasnt working. There is a very simple fix to that....the doc should just tell the person to bring in the remainder of their script to be flushed in the presence of the doctor. That is the only way to make sure they arnt being diverted. And i dont mean just handing them to the doctor cause for all you know the doc could be diverting them but flushing them in from of him would solve it because then the doc would just give you the new prescription to replace the opiates that dont work. If for some reason you do want to keep them then obviously they work and you shouldnt be getting a new script anyway. Did you find
Deb, Did you find any relief with a pain management clinic? I did some research on the injections and they don't appear to be right for me. I am now dieting, stretching and walking; however the pain is still there. I do not want to be medicated for the rest of my life. I have heard about pain management clinics but have never actually seen one. Would you tell me your experiences with them.
D I believe they only screen
I believe they only screen when they think something is up or they have a contract. Most places that do, do the tests only do the average one which sows opiates. Now the expensive one which not a lot of places do show each type of opiate but this is rare. Usually only in certain places for certain reasons. Even probation screen for opiates not certain typed when a perscribed opiate user is on them. So just as long as what in your system is perscribed your ok if they do the expensive test but i highly doubt it. Hello peyton101
No, I have not had problems however I have had a myleogram, a bad impact to my spine and I have DDD. These are all listed as causes of ARC. My current PM is trying to talk me into getting the Epidural shots so I was researching them and foud all of the information on them. I am NOT going to allow the PM to talk me into these shots and if he keeps trying I will find another PM.  I think people need to
I think people need to realise its not doctor shopping/hopping unless you are getting multiple prescriptions for the same meds from more than one doctor. If you are not getting proper care/relief or are interested in a second,third,fourth,fifth etc. opinion there is nothing wrong with going to another doctor to see what your options are. By some peoples thinking, if you go to a PM docotor for pain management, PCP doctor for a cold and a psychiatrist for your problems you are a doctor shopper. Thats not how it works. doctors have to protect their license to prescribe narcotics
different offices have different policies, but a lot of pratices today are making it a policy that if you are on pain managment narcotics, they are going to test you, sometimes it is to see if the drugs they are giving you are in your system. people do sell their meds., not saying you are, but testing has become common place. i signed a document stating many things, one of which i would submit to random testing, which they have never done in 3 years. watch now, i go tomorrow and i'll get tested, which would be fine, but because i said never..... lol. i wouldn't think a thing about it if i were you, probably just that office's polocy. |
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