Drug testing

[Tjrock]

Here is my issue I have been going to PM for about 3 months For a persisting back pain they put me on oxicodone 10/325 but i only get 60 for the month he told me i can take what i need and if i run out i will have to bare it till our next appointment i take 20 mg for the day  but the pain is so damn BAD that on some days i had to dip in and take another one  and of course i ran out a week before i have to see him again ,,,,here is my question i too signed a contract i am 42 yrs old and do not take any other drugs but what he prescribes me but like i said i ran out ,,,,so my question is this ,,,,,,, my wife has oxicodone 5 mg ir instant release for a injury to her shoulder we never mix our drugs but i have to do something so if i take two 5 mg ir and a Tylenol in the morning and two at night the same way  for the next 4 days will there drug test know im not taking the right drugs ,,, i mean they are the same drug right? just the one 5 ir one is without the Tylenol correct ?So thats why im taking Tylenol with them ,,,, Will it show up as oxidodone with aceti miniphen? Will it be ok to do this? ,,,and then i can talk to him about  giving me a couple more for the afternoon on days that i can't stand the pain  I guess what im trying to ask is will he know i ran out and am taking my wifes pills ?

[Tuckamore]

Please TJ, don't let anyone make you feel like a drug addict. You certainly are not. You have severe chronic pain.

There is a huge difference between addition and dependancy for those of us who suffer from chronic pain. Educated physicians know this fact and should treat you accordingly.

I too am glad that you found us and will look forward to hearing from you in the future.

[Tjrock]

Thanks you for all your answers and i will talk to him about this i mean i hate to feel like im asking him for more (drug addict ),,,,but i just can't shake this god awful pain i mean im suffering most days anyways but those little pills help to suppress allot ..... Well im glad i found this forum . I should be ok then thank you all again .... god bless you all !! ;)

[SageRave]

When you talk to your doctor about getting more pain medication, you might have to sign a new pain contract. If you do, try to limit your testing to blood, not urine tests. This works best if you take Vicodin (acetaminophen/codeine).

Take you time, go through the rest of the contract and have the terms altered to favor you, as patient/consumer.

Just a thought. Things may get trickier as your doctor realizes you need higher doses of opiates, or something similar.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Tj,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry that you have chronic back pain. We all know how disruptive it can be to our lives.

You probably will be ok with the drug screening BUT what if you are not. You will destroy the trust your PMP has placed in you and you will in all probability be dismissed immediately from the clinic. Plus he must assume that what he is giving you is adequate for the month. These drug screens also measure the levels in your system. Please just don't chance it.

Your PMP doesn't make sense when he tells you to take what you need but if you run out you'll just have to "bare" it. If he does a drug screen and nothing shows in your system because you required all the opiates in the first three weeks, what will he conclude? I think he has given you very poor instructions.

As others have suggested please discuss this with your PMP. Sixty per month is not a very large supply. What is his rational? You can have pain control for three weeks but the rest of the time you have to suffer? That doesn't make any sense to me. Be assertive and ask questions. Why will he not allow you say, sixteen more tablets or twenty two, whatever it will take to get you through a month?  This is not pain management in my opinion. This is a pain marathon!

So again please talk to your PMP. Do not tell him that you are taking your wife's prescription but tell him you are having to ration so much that you pain is not controlled and you are having severe episodes of pain. If you tell him you are running out and he does a drug screen and finds it in your system that will not be good. And please only take what is prescribed for you.

I wish you the very best and hope that you will be able to convince your PMP that you require more tablets. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[jamlws]

I would talk to your dr at your next appt to see if the dose can be raised since you aren't getting any relief anymore. It is never a good idea to take someone elses meds, I'm sure you know that and also it might be in your contract also that you won't be taking any other meds then what the dr gives you. I am sure if he finds out there will be trouble. You could even be dropped from the practice and you would have to deal with the pain on your own, and that is scary. Good luck to you.
Jamie

[Mollyrae]

Hello:

To answer your question, No, the test will not see the difference. It's the same drug. While I can understand where you're coming from, it's time to tell the Doctor that the dose isn't cutting it. When you raise your dose on your own, it will be hard for he original dose to be effective. As you take more, the less effective it becomes. Adderss this with your Doctor as soon as able.

My best,
Mollyrae