Help!

[debbieanna]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA.
My name is Debbie and I am 44 years old. I have been seeing my pain management doctor for 7 or 8 years since I was hospitalized for almost having to have my left leg amputated for a staft infection I got while I was at Stanfor university. I have had 4 skin grafts in the past 8 years but nothing has worked. instead of amputation I decided to keep my leg although I have been told I may sill have to have this awful amputation. I see my pain management doctor once a month oto get RX rfills. In the beginning years ago my doctor was giving me 100mg morphine sulphate (90tabs), 60mg oxy contin (90 tabs) 30mg morphine sulphate (90 tabs) 10 mg methadone (240 tabs), 10 mg kolonapins (90 tabs) and cymbalta 30mg and 300 mg neurontin. Now thie is in a months time period. Before the metadone I had morphinr patches 50mg 3 day patches I think it was alittle stronger than 50mg i cant remember. Mind you neither he nor his associate has ever seen my leg or ever asked to see it yet I was getting all these meds? Actually his associate asked me in August to see my leg because she wanted to see the surgery I just had at UCSF for the removal or melanoma skin cancer. which i had to go back again ecause they did not get all tha cancer the first time around. His associate sid she wanted me to start to see a psychiatrist because she thoiught my pain was all in my head. What the hell I thought. well today my pain doctor said he could not and would not refill my sripts because he found "speed in my unine test last month. As well as 2 years ago in 2007 he said he saw speed in my test as well but never said a word. Well I said he was wrong because I have allergies ,where I live and rent a room lives 3 indoor dogs which one is mine. I take sudafed and comtrex a sinus decongestant from time to time but nothing else. He didnt choose to want to belive me nd tha t hurt cause we have been good friends for all these years and now he will not belive me. I sid I would take another test to show him i was not on drugs but he said that they had already had 2 test that said otherwise. He perscribed me 23 methadone tabs 10mg and 83 morphine sulphate tabs 15mg to get me thru the next month. I asked what then he said that will be it. I am afraid of seriou withdraw. You will have to find another doctor. Now my thing is will i have a time finding a doctor because he will tell them what he belives is goig on ?? does he have that right? I do not have a problem taking a drug test. I hae nothing to hid. Please help me and let me know where i stand. Thank you Debbie Wadworth

 

[lealea1005]

Mind you neither he nor his associate has ever seen my leg or ever asked to see it yet I was getting all these meds?

They are not treating your leg wound, they are treating your pain. The Surgeon is the one treating your leg wound and s/he referred you to the Pain Management Specialists.

I have allergies ,where I live and rent a room lives 3 indoor dogs which one is mine. I take sudafed and comtrex a sinus decongestant from time to time but nothing else.

You are foolish to think any of us will believe you did not know taking Sudafed and Comtrex are contra-indicated while taking the narcotics you've been prescribed for 7 to 8 years. You got caught. The labels on both medications plainly state if you are already taking medication, you should consult your Physician BEFORE taking their product.

He perscribed me 23 methadone tabs 10mg and 83 morphine sulphate tabs 15mg to get me thru the next month. I asked what then he said that will be it. I am afraid of seriou withdraw. You will have to find another doctor. Now my thing is will i have a time finding a doctor because he will tell them what he belives is goig on ?? does he have that right?

I'm sure you signed some kind of compliance contract or agreement when you first started treatment with him years ago. You should review it.

He is well within his rights to exit you from his practice for testing positive for amphetamines. His only obligation is to give you enough medication to last 30 days. He is obligated to treat you in an EMERGENT situation only during that 30 days. My advice is to get copies of your medical records and start looking for a new Pain Management Specialist today. Good luck.

 

[LAWMED]

Unless the drug test was confirmed with a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) test (more expensive and requires special equipment) you have no positive drug test. The cold preparations you name (which are NOT contraindicated with the meds you were on) are known to cause false positive drug screen results on tests other than GC/MS, for 'speed'.

More concerning are the massive amounts of opiates/benzos/etc. you have been taking for eight years. Frankly you would be much better off having the leg amputated, followed by medical detox and drug treatment. You can expect some pretty serious withdrawal symptoms.

You DO need to find a new physician who will manage your pain and wean you from some of these meds in the mean time. Be honest with him upfront and tell him the story you told us here.

 

[lealea1005]

The cold preparations you name (which are NOT contraindicated with the meds you were on) ...

Ummm...yes, they are. It is well known that patients should avoid using other medicines such as another cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, meds for seizures, depression and/or anxiety. It's clearly stated to notify your Physician BEFORE taking chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine. Sudafed/Comtrex and the like are known to enhance the effects of those medications prescribed to OP.

ETA: Also...if OP knew she would be periodically tested as part of her treatment contract, then why wouldn't she tell her Physician she was taking allergy medication?

 

[LAWMED]

I stand by my statement. Sudafed and Comtrex are NOT contraindicated. The ONLY concern would be the acetaminophen in Comtrex should the patient already be taking large amounts as part of one of her narcotic preparations.

Only administration of a MAO inhibitor or and allergy would be a contraindication.

Neither sudafed nor chlorphanarimine enhance any narcotics, benzos or antidepressants to any notable degree. Phenylephrine is no longer available.

As for drug testing, most people would not know that OTC cold preps can affect drug screen assays and would never think to mention them I suspect.

 

[lealea1005]

As for drug testing, most people would not know that OTC cold preps can affect drug screen assays and would never think to mention them I suspect.

I stand corrected, Phenylephrine is no longer available. Sudafed is now pseudoephedrine...my bad.

You are more than welcome to stick by your statement, and I'll do the same.
Taking Comtrex or Sudafed, along with Morphine, methadone, klonopin, etc risks increased CNS/respiratory depression.

I also find it hard to believe a patient who has been in treatment with a Pain Management Specialist for 7-8 years isn't aware that they should tell that Physician about all OTC medications...even tylenol.

Have a good one.