Bad Urine test?

It is pretty much standard procedure for pain docs to do urine drug screens. Unfortunately, they are notoriously inaccurate. Doctors know this so it always amazes me that they would dismiss a patient on the grounds of one failed test. If you are absolutely sure that you did not take any hydrocodone in the 2-7 days prior to the test, you might ask them to do a more accurate test. These tests can be much more expensive and your insurance may not cover but it could be worth it to keep you with your current doc. A GC/MS (gas chromatography/ mass spectometry-I think that is right) is one of the most accurate that can be done. I truly think, if a Dr is going to dismiss a patient on the basis of one test, he should do this test to be sure the previous is not a false test result.

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Sometimes, I do think Drs use this (drug screens) as a way to get rid of a difficult patient whether it be a patient who has a difficult personality or if the patient is a difficult case and/or he is uncomfortable with the kind/amount of opioid the person is taking. It is a convenient excuse to dismiss a patient and I've known of Drs using these tactics. I'm not saying this is the case in your case, just that is does happen. Drug screens are pretty standard fare though. It is getting to pretty much be a requirement for a pain management program. It is not because the Drs dont believe that you have pain or that you dont have a reason to take meds, it is to protect them legally. Unfortunately, there are many who go to pain Drs (even with legit problems) then divert their meds. A person can make a tidy profit by selling their drugs on the street and there is no way to tell by looking at a person who is the one diverting-even sweetfaced little old grandma ladies have been found to have been doing this sort of thing. The only protection Drs have is to do a UDS. This should tell him that his patient is using the drug prescribed as well as not using illegal drugs or unprescribed drugs. If I were you I would see if I could speak to the Dr him/herself, not an office staff member, and explain your situation and tell them that you feel this test is inaccurate and you would like a more specific and sensitive test done. (Actually, no, if it were me I would be angry that the Dr dismissed me without even talking to me. It is in poor taste to dismiss simply with a letter so I would probably move on to a new Dr.) Just keep in mind that some of these tests are not accurate and perhaps you might explain to your new Dr what happened and find out upfront how they test and what their procedure is for a positive test, whether or not they confirm positives with a more sensitive test etc. Dont give up though! There are Drs out there who truly care and wont treat you like that, you just have to find a good one. Ask around. Word of mouth is the best way to find a good Dr.