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? for the pain clinic people or any others with suggestions

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Posted 5/14/2009 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have been going to a pain clinic for several years because I have pain most days depending on how much food I take in, and the occasional blockage. I had been Rx'd Percocet, but a few months ago I developed an allergy, so I was switched to Norco. Since the switch I am not getting any pain relief to speak of. It takes the edge off, but just barely. At the same time, when I am drug tested, the Norco doesn't show up in their urine test. So last month they sent me to have blood drawn to check the level. I had taken my dose specifically an hour and a half before going to my appointment because I knew they would be sending me for blood work. I had to come back in 2 weeks for the results, that was yesterday. My level was 7, and it should be 10 or more to continue on the drug according to the NP. Whatever that means. I know that this is all to cover their butts with the Government, should their files ever get checked. So this time I was sent to the lab for a more detailed urine test and I have to come back in another 2 weeks.

So my questions are, why/how are my levels so low if I'm taking this drug? What do I do if they decide in their ultimate wisdom that I can't possibly be taking the medicine or that I'm lying to them and they kick me out of their practice? I have no way of proving that I'm taking it, but at the same time, I keep telling them that it isn't helping me and that I need something different, but until they can verify for the government that I have actually been taking it, they won't change the script, if at all. I have a weird inverse reaction to a lot of medications so maybe that has something to do with it, but I don't understand why it wouldn't show up in my blood work.

Any advice?
Posted 5/14/2009 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Wish I had some advice Suzanne but I have never been on Norco. Me and pain meds dont do well together. Hope someone else can be of help and you get some answers and some relief.
Posted 5/14/2009 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe it is going through your system too fast to get absorbed in your blood stream - as in, maybe you are just pooping it out.  Maybe you could ask to spend a day at the clinic (bring some books) and take your dose there and get tested hours later.  That way they would see that you are taking it and that it wasn't showing up.
Posted 5/14/2009 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
Fitzy that's not a bad idea. I could take a dose right in front of them, then they could send me to the lab for the test when they felt it was the right time. But it still doesn't help my issue that I really don't want to be on this med in the first place. I want them to change it to some that will actually work for me. I'm pretty nervous because I will be leaving on a small vacation the day after my next appointment and I'm pretty sure that this whole situation won't get straightened out at the next appointment. So I will basically be going on vacation with a pain relief option that doesn't work.

I just wish I understood the chemistry of the whole thing. I'm a small person, but I always need soooo much more of all the drugs to be effective, and all the doctors doubt it. When I go in for Colonoscopies, I get the maximum dosage, enough so that it would know out a 300lb man, and still, I'm wide awake. Its just confusing.
Posted 5/14/2009 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Suzanne, it is so spooky how much we are alike. I am the same way with medications. I always have to take WAY more meds than the normal person. Same with the c-scopes, I get enough medication to knock out an elephant, but never go out.

Hope you find some help and new pain meds to get you feeling better.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 5/14/2009 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
When my mom had gastric bypass, they gave her liquid vicodin because people who have that surgery have problems with absorption. I'm guessing it's the same for us crohnnies, since we all get vitamin deficiencies.
Posted 5/14/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just afraid that they are going to accuse me of selling these pills or something and kick me out of their practice. Then I would have some black mark in my record and not be able to get into another pain clinic. I'm a 44 year old housewife with a painful auto immune disease. I know that probably really doesn't mean much these days, but I really do take the medication even if it isn't helping me much, and I don't want to be treated like I'm doing something I'm not.
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