What Are The Reasons For Negative Urine Result For Hydrocodone Inspite Of Using It?

Posted on Thu, 3 Jul 2014

Question: I was dismissed from a pain management contract for use of hydrocodone because my ua came back negative. I wasn't given a chance to be re-tested and was actually asked if I was selling it before I was dismissed. I was diagnosed with severe degenerative disc disease by MRI 2 years ago. I have many witnesses who know I take the medication and I have never violated any of the policy. I do not want to have a lumbar epidural injection because of a bad experience with one of my two C-sections and because I've been dismissed, no Doctor will treat me. I have continued to work; in fact worked 7 days a week for 2 years until January of this year. I do not want to go out on disability - I love my job and I am in my 12th year with my employer. Is there any where I can go for help? It does effect my quality of life. I understand that Doctors are between a rock and a hard place because of abuse of the medication but what does that do for people like me who do not abuse it?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your MRI report supports EPIDURAL requirement

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I agree that you & your doctors are in a fix. Epidural seems a genuine requirement for you. Along with that you may also need some advanced procedures. I would suggest you not to be scared and go ahead with it. In the current time, the procedures and techniques are advanced to prevent untoward incidents.

In addition cholecalciferol 60000 units taken once alternative day and then once monthly shall help absorb osteophytes that are adding on to pain.

If opiods are not showing up in your blood and they don't wish to prescribe opioids, you may ask your doctor to give non opiod based medicine like tapentadol, flupiritine maleate or aceclofenac along with acetaminophen. These drugs are available along with muscle relaxants like thioclchicoside.

Hope the advice helps you. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rohit Gulati (5 hours later)

I understand your advice but before I decide to go with the epidural - can you explain how the medication did not show up in my UA? I am sure you understand the pain I'm in so why would I not take it?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi, frankly no answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi, i understand that you arevtroubled with the drug not showing up in urine & the consequences of it. It may by explained in a lot of ways all ti do with your metabolism and the enzymes invoved like CYP b 2 etc. But nothing conclusive can be said
Another reason for it may be that you consumed food products like vinegar or garlic which interfere with opioid metabolism and prevent their detectable metabolites to show in urine.
Hope this helps.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj