[Eve321]

I am trying to find the detection times for Demerol/meperidine in a serum drug test....after administration how long is the drug detectable?

Can anyone help?;the net has so many different answers nothing consistant.

any response would be greatly appreciated...

[Robert_325]

This sounds like a nurse question. Did someone get into someone else's meds and now wondering how long it will be before being safe from detection? I've seen a lot of nurses in this dilemna. Sorry if I am wrong ... not judging just commenting. Give it four days to be safe if it was one occurance. Our metabolism, body build, etc can affect the time but four days should do it. Good luck and God bless.

[Eve321]

Actually yes my husband is a ER tech and has an issue with IV drugs that I have long ago realized I have no control over.Most online lab references state that serum drug detection in much shorter than urine,yet some of those get clean quick web sites say up to four days .I am not sure but I believe the test that was drawn on him was a serum level to detect quantative and qualitive levels of mepeidine.The specimen was drawn approximately 3 days just short of 36 hours after his IV ingestion of 50 mg.He is a chronic user of multiple medications.I am just trying to prepare myself and him for the next chapter.This test has been 2 weeks in the waiting for a result.Talk about anxiety.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Eve321

Actually yes my husband is a ER tech and has an issue with IV drugs that I have long ago realized I have no control over.Most online lab references state that serum drug detection in much shorter than urine,yet some of those get clean quick web sites say up to four days .I am not sure but I believe the test that was drawn on him was a serum level to detect quantative and qualitive levels of mepeidine.The specimen was drawn approximately 3 days just short of 36 hours after his IV ingestion of 50 mg.He is a chronic user of multiple medications.I am just trying to prepare myself and him for the next chapter.This test has been 2 weeks in the waiting for a result.Talk about anxiety.

I was not trying to be cute at all. Hope it didn't come across that way. I can just spot a nurse post like this from a mile away. I have seen so many medical professionals who can't stay out of the patients' morphine or demerol or whatever. They dilute the patients' meds and take the real thing for themself. People would go nuts if they realized how many medical people were on opiates while treating patients and stealing their medications no less.

Honestly at 36 hours he has a chance to pass. I sure wouldn't bet on it but he is right at the point where it could go either way. That was why I said to give it four days and he would be safe. I can only imagine that you wish he would get into a recovery program before this costs him his job and livlihood or even worse his life. Good luck and God bless.

[Eve321]

No,his way of obtaining his fix is much more dangerous.He is responsible for the sharp boxes and their replacement....so he takes all the partial bottles and drains them for his fix.This in a busy metro ER totals a massive binge at times.This all started with a herniated disc and Duragesic patches.He went to treatment and came home clean for about two days .He went cold turkey from the patches at home with me at the beside ,klonipin,clonidine,tramadol,and flexeril in hand.I think he went to the edge of death that two days.He had seizures and was totally delusional for days.I dont think he will ever be himself again.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Eve321

No,his way of obtaining his fix is much more dangerous.He is responsible for the sharp boxes and their replacement....so he takes all the partial bottles and drains them for his fix.This in a busy metro ER totals a massive binge at times.This all started with a herniated disc and Duragesic patches.He went to treatment and came home clean for about two days .He went cold turkey from the patches at home with me at the beside ,klonipin,clonidine,tramadol,and flexeril in hand.I think he went to the edge of death that two days.He had seizures and was totally delusional for days.I dont think he will ever be himself again.

I can certainly feel the pain from the seizures and near death experience. I have also had seizures trying to detox and my heart stopped as well. I should rightfully be dead. I couldn't speak in complete sentences for months. I am still not sure that mine wasn't a stroke. But be that as it may he IS doing even worse than stealing meds as I described. He could be getting into almost anything getting his drugs from those boxes. I can't believe he would do that ... well yes I can. If we are bad off enough we will do most anything. Has methadone ever been considered? It would seem to be a logical step to me.

[Eve321]

No,everyone but me believes he has been clean since rehab.I really dont believe he is ready yet.He has easy access and an infiite supply.........why quit???

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Eve321

No,everyone but me believes he has been clean since rehab.I really dont believe he is ready yet.He has easy access and an infiite supply.........why quit???

As sad as that is I understand. I was 50 before I finally got clean. It all began for me in 1968. Why would I stop using as long as I could get away with it? Well this just might be his time if he busts this drug test. It's a drag to get caught but sometimes it can be a life jacket in disguise. I will add your family to my prayers. God bless.

[Eve321]

Thank you so much Robert;your a blessings to so many otherwise hopeless and lonely people.I hope you are aware of all you do here everyday.