False negative drug screen

[colleen1212]

I am taking a low dose of Percocet 5-325 3x's a day, for chronic back and neck pain from a MVA. The problem is that even though I take it the way I should, I have had 2 negative drug screens.  What can cause this. Please help.

        colleen1212

[mngrow]

I just tested negative after 16 years on oxycodone for severe back pain and other issues.  I, like others, was not nervous because I take all my meds religiously - 24/7/365.  I was shocked.  I have messaged my Dr. and asked for an outside lab to do a retest.  From my research, there are a large number of factors that can cause a false negative as well as a false positive.  I sent my Dr. a link to the Mayo Clinic regarding this issue.  I also sent another link along with a portion of the article.  I am not going down without a fight.  Without I will not be able to get out of bed let alone do anything else.  As is, I live with Chronic pain every day, I have just learned to deal.  I understand a Dr. being diligent, but it is getting to be a real issue for those of us who rely on the medication to have any kind of life.  I just started on Gabapentin for neuropathy and I am currently reading an article that states taking the 2 together can cause a much lower reading for the Oxy.  It is rare, but can happen.  Given my off the wall weird reactions to medications, I will be surprised if that is not the problem.  In addition to Chronic pain, I also have clinical depression, severe anxiety, and Bi-Polar disorder - (I hit the trifecta).  All of the aforementioned can cause pain to be acerbated.  Thankfully, I had a friend here when I got the news who was able to talk me down from a full blown anxiety attack which causes the nerve endings in my hands, feet and mouth to form blisters - yeah, fun.  I have messaged my Dr. and sent her links to the Mayo Clinic and several other sights regarding the issue.  We have a great relationship so I am hopeful she will agree to the retest and that they will get it right this time.  Actually, they have to do a retest if you request one.  We have to become our own health care advocates or this will just keep happening.  I don't take this stuff for fun, I take it so I can function.  Not everyone is a drug seeking addict; Drs. need to learn to work with their patients and keep up on current issues with the drugs they prescribe.  False negatives are becoming epidemic and something needs to be done to help those caught in the loop.  There is only one test that is reliable, but due to cost it is rarely run  - it is a catch 22; damned if we do and damned if we don't.  Guess I will just have to wait and see what my Dr. says.  In the interim, I guess I will arrange for a wheelchair, just in case.  I wish the best to all of you...and me.

[Littlegranmaw8]

Go to WebMD and put your meds in and it will tell you the interactions of your meds

[some1whoknows]

I was taking 7.5 hydrocodone 3 x per day and tested negative.  My Dr said is because with such a low dose I'm testing below the threshold to produce a positive result  He uupped it to hydrocodone 10 4x a day now I'm testing fine.  Goodluck

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi Timwin7777 -

It looks as though you are having a hard time posting your own thread. If you go to the main page of this community, at the top of the page, you should see a green "Post Question" button. Click on that, and you can fill in the appropriate sections, and then click the green "Post Question" button at the bottom.

The main page is found here - http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53

If you need a direct link to post a new question here, try this: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/new_with_new_subject?forum_id=53

Let us know if you need further assistance!

Emily

[Tuckamore]

Thanks Tim. I'll look for it.

I know it can be difficult to understand a format initially.

~Tuck

[timwin7777]

Thank-You for your reply.  I do not understand about these threads. I posted a new thread as you suggested I hope it took.