What do they typically test for?

Hello everyone, it has been a while since i have visited.  For update, i am a chronic pain patient due to RSD of left foot from an accident with a lawnmower. I have also just completed my 4th abdominal surgery in 18months.

I have been with my PM group for close to 10yrs now. Today i had my first ever urine test. Was just wondering what they actually test for? Are they checking to see if i take other drugs or what?

I really don't worry about it as i take my meds properlly, but was just wondering since i have never had one before. Hope u all are feeling ok today!!!!

They test for all kinds of drugs in your system. (pot, meth, cocaine, even PCP. Plus some I have never heard of)

I just had my first (surprise) drug test after I told the nurse who does the refills that I had a couple pills left from last month. (big mistake)

If you take your meds as prescribed and you don't use illegal drugs, you have nothing to worry about.

 

Shannon if you take any OTC meds you should always tell them about those. Sometimes certain OTC meds can cause the testing to come back all messed up. Whether asked or not for a list of meds, I did two tests with my last PM dr and I made sure they listed what OTC meds I was taking. Some testing will also show how much medication you have in your system. Drs do this to see if you are taking the meds as directed.

shannon1

 

You might be surprised to hear this but they also test to see that the medication that they are giving you is in your system!  In the proper amounts! Because if it is not, then you might not be using the meds, and if your not using the meds then what are you doing with them????  I found that out one day when I first started going to my pain doctor, there was an older gentleman making a real fuss in the lobby because the Doctor would not refill his pain meds. The nurses could not calm him down or anything finally the Doctor came out, and he got really belligerent with the Doctor, told him he did not need the pain meds, because the last two urine test showed that he was not using them at all, and if he wasn't using them, then what was he doing with the meds he got???? The man shut-up and quickly left the building!!! So they not only check if you are abusing drugs, but also that your taking your meds! My pain doctor requires a urine test every refill, you come in and take the little brown bag and go and fill your cup that is in it, and come back out with your little brown bag with the filled cup in it, and they call your name and you bring it back and they ask you when was the last time you took your scheduled pain meds, and the last time you took your break through pain meds, and any other meds, and while you are there they put your label on the filled cup and then you initial several places on the form and sign your name and then you go back out into the waiting room and wait to be called back,  to see the Doctor, my doctor then ask you how you are doing and if there is any changes or anything and checks you over, and then dictates his notes in front of you and asks you if everything he said is correct.  If he ordered test you go out and wait for the nurse to call you and then they order up the test MRI , a speciality Doctor or what ever, if you have to have an X-ray or blood work they give you the forms and send you directly to the appropriate place in the building to get it done!  Then on the way out you stop at the pharmacy that is right there and pick up your meds! That is how it is done where I go anyway!

 

White Beard

Shannon, I wouldn't worry about it. Different docs test for different things. It's possible your PM might just be testing for illicit drugs. Or he might be testing enzyme levels to see if your liver/kidneys are being impacted by the meds your on. Or any other number of possibilities. It's possible that they didn't ask about your meds b/c they aren't testing for them.
My PM suggests bringing a typed list of meds (prescription or OTC pills) with to every visit. You might bring that with you at your next visit & can also ask what your PM tests for with the UA. Every once in a while there are issues with the tests but you have a good relationship with your doc so you should be able to sort things out one way or another. But most tests come back without any issues. And I know with my PM that he does different types of tests depending on his goals -- some are purely for medical reasons, some are because he suspects abuse & some are just CYA tests to show that he's being proactive [those tend to be the most extensive].

This just happened to me a few months ago! I had never been tested and after 3 years with them...Boom! I was really tripped about it because I thought they thought I was not taking my meds properly. At any rate I agree, write down everything you take!! Give it to them and make sure they make a copy, put it in your folder and give you back the original signed and dated by whoever you gave it to. You really need to be safe on these because they will cut you off in a heartbeat! The PM I go to had me sign a paper saying they did this and they have the right to call me at any time to come in and let them count my meds (the ones they give me). My first drug test they came back in the room and said, "Is there anything you need to tell us?" I was like...NO, and she told me I came back positive for Marijuana!!! Heck I'm a child of the 60's and 70's....then I would have been guilty! But at 51, no that lost my interest when I was young and decided I really didn't like it! Anyway, I take a medication for IBS called Protonix and apparently that drug shows on an average drug screen a false positive reading! I was mortified! They sent it off to be tested and of course the Protonix was the culprit. I've had two more since and what they told me was that the DEA had really cracked down on PM's all over the country. Don't worry about it, but please take that one piece of advise and be sure to get it signed and dated on their copy too!
Take Care,
Stac/Catz4

stac/catz

wow! what a story...that is the kind of thing i worry about because i do take so much medication off/on due to all my other issues. As a matter of fact, i also take protonix (sp).  I take my meds as prescribed and do not do any illegial drugs, so im not really "worried" per say, i just keep thinking, "what if" something weird showed up. It's also been 10 yrs since i signed my pain contract and honestly couldn't even tell u what it said anymore...lol

@msbunky

i had my hysterectomy Jan 2009. I am on hormone replacement, but have had a horrible time trying to find the right fit for me. I am only 38 so we do feel it's important to have replacement.  My gyn prescribes xanax for me when my hot flashes/mood swings get out of hand. I tend to feel very anxious and can't sleep, and really just want to crawl out of my own skin. The xanax does help (some) with all of that. One script can last me a few months as i just take them "as needed". Hope this helps. Surgical medipause (and my hyster) are the hardest things i have ever done in my life).  there is a great ssupport site called hystersisters that u can check out and they have soooo much info.  Good luck