false negative for morphine but false positive for vicodin!!

[precious_woman]

I am really glad that I found this forum...I am currently in as state of shock over what just took place at my own pain management doctors office. I have herniated lumbar discs which have also caused nerve damage, degenerative disc disease and buldging cervical discs. I have been on morphine for about 4 years, extended release and instant release. Last month the doctor gave ALL patients a urine test and when I got there today he said "we have a problem"...I was shocked and asked "what?" He said "the results of your urinalysis are in and they came back negative for morphine and positive for vicodin, I can only write you one months prescription and you will have to find another pain management doctor"... I was shocked!! I said "No way.. there is a mistake!!! I take my morphine like clockwork!! Every 12 hours!! I get home from filling my prescriptions and I take out 4 seven day pill containers and label them with each date... I put each days dose in each date and they go into a lockbox. I have not and did not take any vicodin!!" I insisted he retest me. I know there is a mistake. He said "no, it's a $900 test" he also added "the problem is not with finding the vicodin but with the morphine coming back negative"... HOW?? I insisted to him that the lab must have transposed the two drugs... but he refused to retest me and has now released me from his care!!! Does anyone know how this could happen?? I always, always take my morphine as prescribed!! I did NOT take any vicodin because it violates my contract that I have with him!! (as well as I don't have it nor do I like it!!) I don't know what to do! I even had a tooth extracted a week before that urinalysis and did NOT accept any pain meds from the dentist because it would have violated my contract with him!! The only other things I have taken are fioricet which is prescribed by him for migraines,  "benadryl" which he told me to take every night because I never get a full nights sleep due to the pain. Also "Orajel and anbesol" for the tooth extraction pain. I am also a large coca-cola drinker!! I am literally in a state of shock because I know these results are wrong!! any help would greatly be appreciated!!!

[kelkel55]

It's always a good idea to research all prescription drugs before taking them, and all drugs otc that require ID to purchase. I've learned that several drugs can cause false positive, even those that have no controlled substances in them. Obviously if your taking xanax it will show as a benzos, but on the other hand if your taking seraquel for anxiety, it has no controlled substances in it, and a patient leaflet does not tell you it can cause false positives.
Sudafed(antihistamine)-positive for amphetamines
Levaquin-(antibiotic)positive for opiates
All Antispasmodics (stomach cramping meds)-positive for barbiturates or benzos
All Antiseizures-positive for barbiturates or benzos
Antidiarrheals-positive for opiates
Some Antidepressants-positive for barbiturates or benzos
Some Anti-psychotics- postive for benzos
Some Mood Stabilizers- positive for benzos

[Tuckamore]

TracyCee. I worked closely with multiple states placing NP's and PA's in clinic and other facilities. I also went to NP and PA conferences in multiple states. There is a difference in prescribing laws, not only what can eb prescribed by who may prescribe. Several years ago some states would not allow an NP to prescribe but they would an PA and visa versa.

I am hopeful that some of the laws have become more uniform however there remains a difference.  

[sandee1818]

Depending on the state a PA has a limited amount they are able to prescribe• Narcotics can not be written in Florida by a PA.

[TrayCee]

I was under the impression that PA's can write prescriptions under the authority of their supervising physician. In some states, PAs are limited in the types of medications they can prescribe, but most medications (aside from "some" narcotics) are ok for PAs to prescribe.

[Tuckamore]

Sandee brings up a good point regarding contacting the NP's supervisory physician. Prescription rights for NP's and PA's (there is a difference between the two) vary from state to state. It is an unusual practice but it is true. Each state is different.

PW my mother had pneumonia at the age of 70 caused by the Influenza A went through some years ago. I can relate. She too was in an induced coma and on a respiration for 5 days. We thought she would never make it. I am happy to report that not only did she recovery but she is still with us today. I was scared out of my mind. The lack of oxygen did cause some short term memory issues which seem to be increasing but so is her age. I wish you dad the very best. It sounds like he is out of the woods.

I also wish you the best in your consult with your new PMP. Don't judge them all by a few bad experiences. There are some great physicians out there. The war against drugs in some instances actually appears to be more focused on the war against physicians. They live with the fear of losing their license, rightly or not.  So try to think positive and I hope your new PMP will be a better one for you.

[sandee1818]

You made a very interesting point. These doctors that are willing to give Pt's with errors made (that do not even know) with their test another chance but are not willing to give the Pt they have been seeing for years the benefit of doubt and retest them is horrible to say the least!
I also have a question. How is a PA writing you narcotics? You stated that your doctor was a NP and ARNP in one of your post and this concerns me. The only way a NP or ARNP can even write controlled substances is if they simply write the drug and amount etc and have a licensed doctor actually sign the prescription. If this is the case then maybe you can request an appointment with the actual doctor that signed the scripts and explain what happened and at least this will be put into your file and most likely in your favor. Anytime you have a UA done it is policy to have you initial the cup itself and then have it sealed before you and then sign the paper which states which meds you take and the dosage. I strongly suggest to anyone having an UA done to request this to be done this way even if they do not normally. As we see just in our community the amount of mistakes made are staggering!
I wish you the best when seeing the new doctor. Maybe the date new years eve is a good sign as if all goes well you will start off the new year with pain management that will help you have a more productive and better functioning new year:)