[Peacemaker]

Hi,

I received notification from my Pain Specialist that my drug screen came back abnormal for Valium, Amphetamines, and Barbituarates. I did some research on my Fiorcet which said it contained barbiturartes, but I also had that down on my list of medications. I do not own any Valium and no amphetamines. My son does have Concerta and Ritalin for his ADHD. The Ritalin does look like my other medicine, Florinef. The only theory I have is that the Ritalin was put into my med organizer by accident especially as 10 pills are missing from his bottle.

Does anyone have any advice as to what I should do? This doctor was really helping me with pain but other issues. I did write a letter requesting he reconsider given the information I have. I have also asked my psychiatrist to write a letter of recommendation to him to further my cause.

Any suggestions?

[splitimage]

Ask for another test. things can get mixed up in a lab and sometimes drug combinations will give false positives for other drugs. If you're really clean so should the next test be.

I'm on a program where i have to have a weekly blood and urine test and it's occassionally come back with a false positive. When that happens, my hospital sen.ds it out to another lab for more sophisticated analysis which really breaks down the chemicals into what all could be causing the positive reading.

Good luck.

--splitimage

[Peacemaker]

Thank you for the reply. I am beside myself with worry and can not believe this is happening to me. I did write a letter offering for random drug tests anytime the dr. desires. I also have asked my pdoc to write a letter of recommendation to my pain dr. verifying that I have never abused any of my medication from him.

Be Blessed,
Peacemaker

[Peacemaker]

I found some information that Provigil and Phentermine, both which I have Rxs for can give false positives on amphetamines. In addition, so can benadryl with some cold medicines which I know I had. So, that is good news.

I have now accounted for the barbiturates and amphetamines in my system. I did write a note relaying all the information that I have found along with a list of my meds to his office and sent it all by fax.

I can only hope that he really reads the info given. The downside is that I can not account for the Valium as I do not have any and have not taken any.

[ECHOES]

I'm sorry this has been such a worry for you. A new test is a good idea and is warranted because the results don't match the truth.

Labs that do drug screenings may inadvertently contaminate a specimen during the process.

A new test may be all you need to set this all straight and give you releif from your worrying.

[AAAAA]

(((((Peacemaker))))) this on top of everything else! Aw hon, do request another test, this isn't the first time he/she's seen this, in fact I'm surprised that they didn't request another test right away.

I am embarrassed to say it, but I did accidentally take a ritalin by mistake years ago, I mistook it for an actifed. Not one of my finer moments, it didn't help my sinuses, but I slept like a baby.

Please keep us informed! Good luck!

[GoodMama]

Don't know if it's too late, but I'd contact your pharmacist! When I first started at my pain clinic, my initial urinalysis came back as positive for morphine. I hadn't had morphine since high school and that was ... OK, OK ... it was 42 years ago! LOL! Turns out that with long-time use of codiene meds, the body converts them to morphine. Made me feel better ... especially at the next visit when my CNA said she'd gotten books and researched the test results ...and I said I'd asked the pharmacist!

BTW, she (the CNA) knew about the Tylenol3 and the occasional oxycodone which I had been taking since my accident in 1987. I started at the clinic because my doctor wouldn't prescribe more than 30 oxy in 90 days and I hurt more than that! They did an xray at the clinic and found I'm walking bone-on-bone, plus my pelvis is frozen from years of walking unevenly and I have severe peripheral neuropathy in both feet/legs . Now the only argument I have is taking as much as she thinks I should!

Aren't pain clinics grand? I never knew I was in so much pain until I finally had enough meds to take the edge off. For those who don't know ... pain meds to not take away ALL the pain, they take away enough so we can continue to function.

Hope this helps and that you're well on your way to functioning better, too!

GoodMama ... chronic pain since May 17, 1987

[Peacemaker]

Thanks to all of you who supported me. The news isn't good. I am not allowed a new test and was told by Dr. Duerden's tech, Barb, that they know I am innocent but their policy is that once a dr. drops a patient, it is done. He/she can not re-accept that patient.

I am heart broken as he was absolutely fabulous and in the short time I did see him, was very proactive in my health. I only pray that I find another one like him.

I am attempting to remain positive. I have asked for him to recommend some drs. His tech thought that he would be happy to but would they be very good.

By the way, I am sick of meds and am looking into spine surgery. The name of the dr. is Dr. Sasso and is supposed to be worldclass. I meet with his nurse practitioner on Jan. 4 at 10am for eval. And, will have new films made via MRI on my spine. My films are about 3 yrs. old.

Blessings,
Sherri

[mrsmoggles]

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((peace))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I dunno if moggles told you, but he has had to have frequent drug testing for companies before he got hired with HP and ALL of his drug tests were positive. No matter what...he worried for the first few times, because it meant he wouldnt be able to work...SO we did the online research, pharmacy questions and did just as you did. It turned out ok in the end, so just take a deep breath, ok maybe 3 or 4 nice long ones, in thru your nose out thru your mouth.

melanie

[AAAAA]

Peacemaker,

How frustrating! I cannot believe that they'd act so rashly. I understand the policy of dropping patience that are drug seekers, but surely they know that those tests are faulty!

I know you liked him, but it seems to me that he was not very caring to just drop you like that! Good luck with the new dr!