new to pain management

[clintman]

i was hurt in the oil feild, had surgery and i am still on worker's comp.  i got a lawyer and she is getting me hooked up with pain management for my terrible headaches.  i was prescribed lortab 10's for a while, but now no-one wants to give them to me, although i still suffer from chronic headaches. anyway my wife gets the same meds and i take hers.  my ? is,    if the pain dr.s's find that medicine in me through drug test, are they gonna deny me what i need?

[Tuckamore]

Hi Again Clintman,

You have asked some very good questions. In my opinion your headaches could be vision related or sinus related, or both. Have you had an MRI or CT with contrast of your maxillofacial area? If you have not had one recently I would certainly begin there.

It is not uncommon to have vision or sinus related headaches, especially when you have already had injuries or medical issues in the area. Given the additional facts I think it is imperative that you see a PMP asap and or another PCP.

I had a very severe MVA some years ago and suffered multiple life changing injuries. Those injuries were caused by a very careless driver and a defect in the seat and seat belt of the MV that I was driving. When I became involved in litigation my (long time) PCP turned against me. I didn't beleive it at the time. He would not even prescribe pain medications though I obviously was in severe pain. In hindsight I think he was afraid of a lawsuit from me as mistakes were made as they tried to put me back together. I refused Med Fight (so it was not their fault)  but after several days I had to be transferred to a trauma center where I spent the better part of 6 months. Upon discharge all my PCP would do is refer me to other physicians. So I urge you to be cautious that this is not happening to you. When physicians hear litigation they often react in ways they would not normally.

It sounds to me as though you indeed have multiple reason for pain and headaches and you need to be treated. Good luck and again let us know how you are doing. Peace, Tuck

[clintman]

thank you for your input.  you are very knowledgable.  i have stopped taking my wife's medicine, regretablly.  i also have chorriodal ruptures in both eyes.  my left eye is better than before the injury.  but my right eye is still at 20 over 400, i think this greatly contributes to these headaches.  i've had maxiofacial reconstructive surgery.  from what i understand they scraped out my sinus cavity, to eliminate headaches, obviously they failed at that.  i'm a roughneck and i will survive, yet, through great misery.  Do u think my aches are one sided-vision related?  if so the retinal specialist already  said  corrective lenses would not correct the problem, would this apply to headaches as well as vision?  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Again,

Usually they do a urine drug screen but if the pamphlet says they may do blood than they might. It depends on how long you have taken the drug. I would allow seven days to be completely safe. It depends on the test and your system. Most web-sites say one to six days.

Again I encourage you not to take you wives perscription. It is just not worth the danger of being caught for either of you. If you are having severe headaches and your PCP will not prescribe any thing for you it is worth a trip to ER when your pain is at it's highest. They may order some pain medications as well as you will have your pain documented.

Again good luck and please let me know how you are doing. We are here for you just about 24/7.
Take Care, Tuck

[clintman]

thanks for your help, my pamplet says that they may either give urine or blood tests, is it common for them to use blood tests?  Also how long does it take to get hydrocodne out of the blood?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Clintman,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum at MedHelp. I am sorry for your accident and the pain you are suffering. Headaches can be debilitating.

The answer to your question is simple. Yes if the PMP finds any narcotic in your drug screen it may very well deter them from prescribing an opiate. Just as important the PMP may refuse to treat you. Taking another person's prescription, even your wife's is not legal. You may risk your wife losing her perscription also. I do not want to deliver gloom and doom but what you are doing is very risky for both of you.

Additionally be prepared for the PMP to try other medications to treat your headaches besides narcotics. Sometimes they will prescribe all the new medications that treat migraines before they go to narcotics.  

I wish you the best of luck in controlling your headaches and finding a PMP that will assist you in your goal. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your next post. Peace, Tuck