Aa
False negative after 8yrs
Today, my doctor just informed me he can no longer be my doctor.
Until today, my worst battle has always been with Berkshire Hathaway, the workers comp insurance company. Today, my urine test from the same hospital lab apparently came in negative twice for Hydrocodone and alprazolam but positive for Morphine Sulfate. It's impossible since I can't even rest or not have my stomach blow out like a balloon without the alprazolam and can't even sit to have a meal without the Hydrochodone. Friends, servers, other people around me sees me take the Hydrochodone right before I start a meal and the morphine sulfate after my meal. I always have I explain why I have to take so many medications. The restaurants I'm a regular at knows my story and the servers always see me take my meds.
I don't know what to do?!?! My doctor just gave me a prescription for 15 day weaning off both Morphine and Hydrochodone. The last time I tried not to take the morphine, I was in so much pain even though I was laying down in bed to a point I soiled my bed and not even know it.
How I got to be disabled from being a successful over achieving perfectionist individual making great money and promoted every 1.5- 2 years:
After getting back injury at work followed by a failed back surgery in 2003 left me with massive scar tissue build up on my L4 L5 disc, I've been living with extreme chronic back pain, depression and anxiety.
I've been on hydrochodone and morphine sulfate for pain management and Effexor XR, alprazolam and Trileptal to help my anxiety and depression due to chronic pain. I've been on the same dosage for almost 8 yrs now without any increase because I don't want to damage my body any further.
I've been with a total of 4 pain management doctor the last 8 years since I have to move for my partner's job. I've never had this issue before. Random urine tests have always shown the medications I've taken and I have nothing to hide. Everyone sees me taking my meds. I have to bring my own soda since I can't have sugar and caffeine.
Until today, my worst battle has always been with Berkshire Hathaway, the workers comp insurance company. Today, my urine test from the same hospital lab apparently came in negative twice for Hydrocodone and alprazolam but positive for Morphine Sulfate. It's impossible since I can't even rest or not have my stomach blow out like a balloon without the alprazolam and can't even sit to have a meal without the Hydrochodone. Friends, servers, other people around me sees me take the Hydrochodone right before I start a meal and the morphine sulfate after my meal. I always have I explain why I have to take so many medications. The restaurants I'm a regular at knows my story and the servers always see me take my meds.
I don't know what to do?!?! My doctor just gave me a prescription for 15 day weaning off both Morphine and Hydrochodone. The last time I tried not to take the morphine, I was in so much pain even though I was laying down in bed to a point I soiled my bed and not even know it.
How I got to be disabled from being a successful over achieving perfectionist individual making great money and promoted every 1.5- 2 years:
After getting back injury at work followed by a failed back surgery in 2003 left me with massive scar tissue build up on my L4 L5 disc, I've been living with extreme chronic back pain, depression and anxiety.
I've been on hydrochodone and morphine sulfate for pain management and Effexor XR, alprazolam and Trileptal to help my anxiety and depression due to chronic pain. I've been on the same dosage for almost 8 yrs now without any increase because I don't want to damage my body any further.
I've been with a total of 4 pain management doctor the last 8 years since I have to move for my partner's job. I've never had this issue before. Random urine tests have always shown the medications I've taken and I have nothing to hide. Everyone sees me taking my meds. I have to bring my own soda since I can't have sugar and caffeine.
This is the second test with the same doctor. I've been seeing him for a year now. I failed July then August. I've never failed with the other doctors before. If I wasn't really taking my meds, I would have taken it after the first failed test. I'm not stupid. I can't understand why it's not getting detected.
A blood test, though more expensive, is more accurate.
Have you passed these tests before -- this is so we can assume it is not a metabolic problem.
Have you passed these tests before -- this is so we can assume it is not a metabolic problem.
I have demanded a retest and apparently it is the second one. I asked to do a retest with a different lab and he wouldn't. I went to a different lab and had my urine tested on the same day. Waiting for results now.
When I joined this forum, one of the first posts I responded to was to a person in the same situation as your's. I would like to offer up the same answer, I hope it helps you. I am not allowed to "give advice" because I'm not a doctor or a professional; rather, this is what I would do if I were in your shoes:
I believe time is of the essense, so what I would do is to immediately find out the name of the company that manufactures the drug test. A doctor, nurse, or billing agent at your Pain Clinic should be able to come up with the company name. Then, find out who the company's CEO is (if you're good on the computer, you can do a 'google search.' Otherwise, have a family member or friend help you look up the name and address).
Then, handwrite a calm, truthful, descriptive letter (expressing what has happened, how much pain you are in, how difficult it is to be put in this situation, etc.) to the CEO at the Company, and send the letter via Certified Mail (with the green cardboard thing attached at the post office so it stands out).
ATTN: CEO's name
Name of Company
PO Box 222whatever
City State 00000
Because nowadays almost all mail is computerized and printed on a printer, I think it is super-important that you actually *handwrite* the letter AND the handwrite envelope, too! Sending a handwritten letter via certified mail will bring all kinds of attention. If your handwriting is bad or shaky, that's even better (seriously!). Do the best you can.
The sqeaky wheel gets the greasin'.
Copy the letter on a copy machine and send the copy to your Pain Doctor (and be sure to send the original to the CEO at the company).
I wouldn't be 'threatening' or rude, or anything, just be yourself -- a pain patient in severe pain, and you need the Company and your doctor to contact each other and get to the bottom of this *right away* because of your complications, and that you are so worried you hope that you don't have to go further and consider contacting governmental medical oversight authorities and agencies, etc. (and that's why you need to hear back from them within X number of days).
I believe a handwritten letter showing up at the Company's office will bring the attention you desire. There are a lot of helpful people in this world. There will surely be some helpful people at the Company, and hopefully this will work out for you. A big company like that will have a panel of scientists who are well aware of the possibilities of false negatives, and, further, they probably have some 'extra special secret' tests they can do that will reveal exactly what medications you have been taking. I would think in this day and age, they could even tell what *flavor* of soda you had that day, if they wanted to!
At the very least, it may be the best demonstration of your sincerity. They will really notice the time and trouble you took to do this, and I would be very, very surprised if nothing good came of this.
Good luck, please let us know what happens.
I believe time is of the essense, so what I would do is to immediately find out the name of the company that manufactures the drug test. A doctor, nurse, or billing agent at your Pain Clinic should be able to come up with the company name. Then, find out who the company's CEO is (if you're good on the computer, you can do a 'google search.' Otherwise, have a family member or friend help you look up the name and address).
Then, handwrite a calm, truthful, descriptive letter (expressing what has happened, how much pain you are in, how difficult it is to be put in this situation, etc.) to the CEO at the Company, and send the letter via Certified Mail (with the green cardboard thing attached at the post office so it stands out).
ATTN: CEO's name
Name of Company
PO Box 222whatever
City State 00000
Because nowadays almost all mail is computerized and printed on a printer, I think it is super-important that you actually *handwrite* the letter AND the handwrite envelope, too! Sending a handwritten letter via certified mail will bring all kinds of attention. If your handwriting is bad or shaky, that's even better (seriously!). Do the best you can.
The sqeaky wheel gets the greasin'.
Copy the letter on a copy machine and send the copy to your Pain Doctor (and be sure to send the original to the CEO at the company).
I wouldn't be 'threatening' or rude, or anything, just be yourself -- a pain patient in severe pain, and you need the Company and your doctor to contact each other and get to the bottom of this *right away* because of your complications, and that you are so worried you hope that you don't have to go further and consider contacting governmental medical oversight authorities and agencies, etc. (and that's why you need to hear back from them within X number of days).
I believe a handwritten letter showing up at the Company's office will bring the attention you desire. There are a lot of helpful people in this world. There will surely be some helpful people at the Company, and hopefully this will work out for you. A big company like that will have a panel of scientists who are well aware of the possibilities of false negatives, and, further, they probably have some 'extra special secret' tests they can do that will reveal exactly what medications you have been taking. I would think in this day and age, they could even tell what *flavor* of soda you had that day, if they wanted to!
At the very least, it may be the best demonstration of your sincerity. They will really notice the time and trouble you took to do this, and I would be very, very surprised if nothing good came of this.
Good luck, please let us know what happens.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
