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Opana NOT SHOWING in urine...PLEASE HELP!!

HI ALL!

{The original post well below, was a reply for someone experiencing, AS I AM ALSO, negative Opana ER Urine tests.}

When I first found that I was testing negative for Opana ER, I was so shocked, I was numb, COMPLETELY BESIDE MYSELF, ESPECIALLY, when I realized my doctor probably thought I  was selling my Opana ER. I'm ashamed to say it, but I BALLED MY EYES OUT!!  However, I completely understand where my Physician is coming from!

I've enlisted the help of my pharmacist, who says she's gonna dig a little deeper, trying to see contraindications, OR maybe where I could've gone wrong somehow with dosing.  I forgot, BUT WILL MENTION, I also take GARCINIA CAMBOGIA with (HCA) Hydroxycitric Acid 70%.  Herbal fat burner with good benefits for cholesterol. Would this affect things...BEATS ME!!!!!

ANY HELP FROM ANY PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE,  VERY APPRECIATED!!



{ORIGINAL POST}

Hello,

I'm also taking Opana ER 30MG... 2x's daily, for severe degeneration of hip joints and disc disease  OPANA ER, HASN'T SHOWN IN MY URINE, either!!

I started pain management on Jan. of 2013. UP UNTIL, March 27th 2013, ALL NEGATIVE TESTS, for OPANA ER, except the OXYCODONE 30mg, my REFERRING DOCTOR PRESCRIBED, which was shown AS POSITIVE, the first urine test.  I was reprimanded  for TESTING NEGATIVE for Opana ER, on March 27th 2013!!!!!  I was offered Methadone and Ultram the last 2 wks.

I went in today, April 10th 2013, READY TO CONTINUE METHADONE, even though, I hadn't much success in the past.  I WAS ALSO quite afraid of the drugged feeling associated with Methadone!  HOWEVER, my doctor SUPRISED ME, wanting to give Opana ER ANOTHER TRY....ALTHOUGH, he says, IT MUST SHOW in my urine THIS TIME!!  BELIEVE ME, I want it to show in my urine, MORE than he does!!  I'M PETRIFIED!!  I asked if there was another delivery method for the Opana, as I was afraid of testing negative again!!  He said no...I HAVE TO HAVE A POSITIVE TEST!!  I couldn't possibly take this medication any harder than I already am...HELP!!!!!  I've ALWAYS taken as directed!!  I'm afraid of getting dismissed as well!!

I was curious of how, OR IF, you solved your situation.  I ALSO have a much more understanding doctor, THAN MOST, HOWEVER, he NEVER BELIEVED, I actually took the medication. He didn't have a very sunny disposition about it, either, WHICH I UNDERSTOOD!

I return in 7 days for my next urine test!


I WELCOME ANY COMMENTS OR IDEAS!!  I ALSO WELCOME ALL THOUGHTS, AS TO HOW I MIGHT HAVE A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF OPANA ER IN MY SYSTEM,  IN TIME FOR MY 7 DAY FOLLOW-UP.....

There must be a way to show I'm taking this medication!!  I've asked about the blood test over the phone, the day after I was reprimanded, WITH NO SUCESS OR COMMENT ABOUT IT!!

I EVEN ASKED AN ER DOC., how the Opana ER, could possibly, NOT SHOW IN MY URINE!!  HE replied, I don't know, YOU TELL ME?????  There's obviously a close-minded view of things out there, WHICH IS MIND-NUMBING, because, I TOOK THIS MEDICINE!!!!!
THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON WITH THIS MEDICATION?????

UNEASY IN N.C.
14 Responses
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Avatar universal
Not sure if this is still an issue after all of this time, but I think there is a relatively simple solution to this issue.  Take in the bottle of medicine to the PM office.  Have THEM verify that the pills in the bottle are indeed the correct pills, then have them witness you taking a dose.  Have them wait an appropriate amount of time (48 hours or so) and go back to their office for a retest.  I would ask them to give you written documentation that you brought in the medication and that they verified it and witnessed you swallowing a dose.  If you test negative again, what can they really say?  I mean you took it, in front of them and they verified the medication themselves.  Offering to come in for a pill count voluntarily may also ease their mind about possible diversion.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
On:

If you have Opana ER 40mg prescribed for you it would make a swap of something containing 5 to 20 mg of oxycodone worthwhile for the swapper. I meant to say "5 to 10 mg", not "5 to 20 mg)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are pre-supposing that the test is wrong, when in fact it may well be perfectly correct and 100% accurate....the urine may well be clean!

So, do you have kids, relatives, caregivers, whatever, that have access to your meds?  If so, then you may want to consider that what you have been taking is NOT Opana ER, and that early on (ASAP after you fill your prescriptions) your meds are swapped out with a "lookalike".  You may well say that you would know if your meds were swapped out, but consider that this may well be a "trade-up" situation, especially if the Opana ER dose you take is 40mg...Endo's website denotes several potential "mix-ups" between Opana ER and other drugs, several of which contain Oxycodone.  This would explain that only Oxycodone is seen in ur urine (I realize that you have a prescription therefor...just noting such).  If you have Opana ER 40mg prescribed for you it would make a swap of something containing 5 to 20 mg of oxycodone worthwhile for the swapper.

So, if the test IS in fact accurate (Id ask that they confirm with GC/MS), and you ARE getting your tablets razooed via "swap out" by some ***, your oxycodone for breakthrough meds and the oxycodone in the potential to-be-swapped substance may well mask the pain enough to consider such.

I realize this sounds a bit far fetched, but this is not, I honestly believe, a situation wherein hearing hoofbeats in the distance causes me to expect zebras.  SOMETHING'S screwed up here, and I don't think it's the UA...especially multiple UAs.

Just a thought, you know?
Helpful - 0
1326416 tn?1370927001
I used to have urinate into a regular specimen test cup, but have been using the "instant result" type the last few visits (urinate right into a cu with test built right in the actual specimen cup).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Personally, I would stop taking the herbal fat burners for a while and see how that affects the drug test. Worth a shot, especially if you keep coming up negative. Which is more important to you pain management or diet pills. I wish you the best of luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

I was getting tired, so I ACCIDENTALLY, replied to myself, when it was meant to go out to you two!

I wanted to see how our doctor's urine tests differ... I'm pretty sure ours is an instant result also.

Do they pour the urine from an original  plastic cup, into the "specimen test cup", or do they give you the specimen test cup, to urinate directly into?? I realize how crazy my question sounds.  We "pee" into a standard plastic cup, w/screw on lid . I'm thinking MAYBE I saw nurse use the strips,  not sure??

Anyway, Shinty, I'M GLAD your doctor was a little more laid back., than some are.. I want to thank both you and Ellen again for taking time to reply last night.  Most posts I've replied to are 2 or more yrs. old.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I wanted to see how our doctor's urine tests differ... I'm pretty sure ours is an instant result also.

Do they pour the urine from an original  plastic cup, into the "specimen test cup", or do they give you the specimen test cup, to urinate directly into?? I realize how crazy my question sounds.  We "pee" into a standard plastic cup . I'm thinking MAYBE I saw nurse use the strips,  not sure??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did voice my concerns of another negative test, face to face with doc,,, I SIMPLY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, when I realized, the poor guy, actually thought I had a choice in the matter!!  LIKE I COULD SIMPLY  "START TAKING", the meds., I'M ALREADY TAKING, to AVOID A NEGATIVE URINE TEST!!  I'm not sure if I should fall down laughing' OR cry??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey there!

Thanks for your reply!!  

YES DEFINETLY GOING TO BRING THIS UP AGAIN, about a more detailed test!  I may call clinic tomorrow, go ahead and see about making those test arrangements, in the event, I have negative results!! THIS WAY I'LL BE PROACTIVE...Also thinking of getting my own test/tests to have on hand to monitor my absorption, SO NO SUPRISES!  IF this particular test shows a positive, I'll take an unopened 1 with me to the visit!  I'll expect to be met with THE USUAL CLOSE-MINDED BEHAVIOR!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not completely sure, but I think they use the test strips and dip them in your specimen. Do you know anything about those tests?

THANK YOU!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey there!

Thanks for your reply!

I JUST GOT THE IDEA TO PURCHASE MY OWN TEST, LITERALLY 2 MINUTES BEFORE I READ YOUR REPLY!  You have MANY great points to keep in mind!!

My doctor and I have had a pretty good relationship prior to this..Yesterday he was more sympathetic, when I stated my concerns of ANOTHER NEGATIVE URINE TEST....  He STILL acted as if I was in control of the upcoming test results though!!

EVEN THOUGH, they've probably seen many cases of this, I suppose it's easier to see things as black or white rather than an instance of gray!!  It's maybe easier to cast doubt on the patient, than question the drug tests OR the medicine itself!!

I WISH we could all get together through the internet, START A PETITION, OR SOMETHING, IN ORDER TO BRING AWARENESS!!  1 thing I BELIEVE, is being overlooked by the pain management docs., is the SIMPLE FACT that, THE REAL CRIMINALS OUT THERE, MOST LIKELY KNOW HOW TO COVER THEIR TRACKS!!  THEY, probably won't get the negative drug screen!!  SOMETHING, must be done, to call attention to this GROWING PROBLEM, concerning negative urine screens, INVOLVING OPANA ER and OPANA IR, ESPECIALLY...other drugs as well!!
ANY AND ALL OUT THERE WITH ANY IDEAS, PLZ COMMENT!! Thanks in advance!!

Again, it's the INNOCENT PATIENTS SUFFERING, while THE CRIMINALS SELLING THE MEDS,  ARE SKATING!!  While the innocent patients are having to fear their doctor's appointments, ALWAYS WONDERING, WILL I TEST NEGATIVE, WILL I GET THE BOOT ...THIS TIME?????

IT'S MY HOPE, that enough of us can eventually form a network that will HOPEFULLY, save ALL, who are chronically suffering in pain management!  The chronic pain is almost always a lifetime deal!  We SHOULDN'T have to PAY OR SUFFER, IN ANY OTHER  WAY!
Helpful - 0
1326416 tn?1370927001
Please don't try to increase the amount of Opana in your system. The test will pick up a very small amount, as well as a very large amount, as long as the specimen cup is working correctly. The test doesn't tell the doctor how much medication is in your system, only that it IS indeed in your system or NOT IN YOUR SYSTEM (as long as it's the "instant result" type of specimen test cups that my doctor uses. My above post is assuming that your doctor is using the "instant result" type tests also!
                                                           Shinty
Helpful - 0
1326416 tn?1370927001
I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago, except my urine tested negative for both of the opiates that I'm prescribed (methadone and oxycodone). My doctor stated that the urine cup that I used must have been defective, and that was the end of it, lucky for me (I did offer to give another sample, which the doctor declined to accept, maybe due to the cost of the "instant result" test cup?). I'm very, very lucky that I have a good relationship with my doctor, and the fact that I've been a patient in his practice for many years without any problems whatsoever. I have heard many "horror stories" regarding other people with negative urine test results being "kicked out", or "released" from their pain management programs. My advice would be to do a number of things, although some of my ideas might be a little late for you guys. First thing I would do is to purchase your own urine test kit (available at most any big chain pharmacy), take the test kit unopened to your doctor, and offer to take the test again right away. another thing to do would be to contact the manufacturer of the particular urine test specimen cup that your doctor uses and ask them about the likelihood of negative test results. The manufacturer hopefully has information regarding this particular problem (probabilities of it happening, etc.), which you then can pass on to your doctor. My question to both of you is this: If my doctor already knows false negative test results can, and do occur, why doesn't your doctor know this can and does happen? Did you offer to re-take the test with a different specimen cup, even if it must be at your own expense? It's easy for me to come up with these things after the fact. It's most likely next to impossible to think of these things right when it's happening to you though. i feel bad for the both of you. my only other thought is this: does your doctor maybe see you as a "problem patient" for some reason or another? Saying you have had a negative test result would be an easy way to "get rid" of you as patients. I guess it would be important to ask to see the actual urine test results (the little lines on the specimen cup itself). Again, it's easy to think of this stuff after the fact isn't it?  I would MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN TEST KIT  with you on every subsequent follow-up appointment from now on, so if it happens again you have a way to remedy the situation immediately. I wish you both the best of luck in the future.
                         Shinty
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know how to advise you about making sure its in your system. I would definetly ask the PM doc about the blood test face to face and tell him your extremely concerned about the urine results being negative again.  I would think a pharmacist would be able to tell you if there were any concerns if you told him everything you take ( even supplements and herbs) you and your PM doc are relying on a third party to give you the results. Maybe they could send it to a different lab? Or order them to re test if it comes back negative?
Good luck to you!
Helpful - 0
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