Drug screening and pill counts?

Maybe they are under pressure to have it done.

Hello @judimd, Welcome to Connect. I have read that gabapentin is considered a controlled substance in Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia (https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/gabapentin-narcotic-controlled-substance-3555993/). It sounds like the doctor might be trying to find out how much of the pregabalin is in your blood stream. I don't think they look for it in the random drug test unless they are specifically testing for it. I think if it were me, I would ask the doctor why you need to have the random test and what specifically are they looking for.

Do you think your doctor may just be trying to determine if the dosage is enough to help with your pain?

judimd, your doctor is checking to see if you are abusing your medications, probably according to state law. I'd go in because I wouldn't want my medication order disrupted. I don't think it is right. It's ridiculous enough to be funny, except for the inconvenience.

@johnbishop

I think if that was the case the doctor would have said so. PreGabalin doesn't hang around in your system that long, at least not in therapeutically useful levels. I just got a refill and asked to be put back onto 3X per day instead of 2X. It was done with no problem and I get maintenance quantities.

I recall reading a couple years ago that GabaPentin can potentiate the effect/s of some other illicit substances. To me it's as useless as a screen door in a submarine.

yes, it's sad that the way the pain management "industry" is forced to comply with regulations meant to stop the rampant abuse of pain meds. My late wife, who was forced to take opiates to treat debilitating pain in her groin caused by scar tissue after a hernia repair, had to go to her pain doctor every 30 days, mostly to give them a urine sample which was used to confirm that she was taking her medication! (and not selling it, presumably). In her case, it wasn't even "random". It made her feel like a "drug addict"....ashamed, disrespected, not believed, etc. It really took a toll on her mentally. I am sorry to hear that you are having to deal with a similar issue. Try to not take it personally!

Yes, I can sympathize. I live in PA. and had to sign an agreement for a small dosage of Tramadol, 50 mg a day, It originally was prescribed for back pain but actually helps for the SFN I have. It is a class 4 opioid. When I originally stared taking it no agreement and then later had to sign the agreement plus give a urine sample, pill count etc. I am 80 years old and one feels like a drug addict being treated like this. My anesthesiologist informed me the Government really cracked down on these types of drugs after the overall abuse. It does depend upon the State. If they ever call me to come in I will give it up. I started a low dose Naltrexone to eventually get off the gabapentin and also the Tramadol. I wrote to my doctor as to the process in getting the agreement annulled.

@johnbishop
Thanks for your response.

I have been taking Pregabalin for years. They know that. If it is in my bloodstream I wouldn’t be surprised. I take three a day.

I’m not sure what the reason for this screening and pill count is, but I have to admit I lost my red haired, Irish, Indian temper when they called.

After throwing a fit, I told the nurse I would have to think about this. She said, we can’t refill your meds unless you agree to a drug screening.

I did ask her what the specific reason was for this drug screening. She said it’s a Kentucky state law and we would lose our license if we didn’t do this,

I do not drive. To come in at a moments notice is just not possible for me. I told her that and she said they can’t give me notice, that is why it’s called “random.” Very cold.

I just don’t know what to do. I’ll soon run out of meds and that’s a scary thought. I’m in enough pain taking three a day.

Anyway, thank you for responding, John. I really do appreciate it. It makes me feel like somebody is listening. I’ve learned at age 81, doctors just don’t really want to take the time to listen to their elderly patients. Honestly, they didn’t find me on the street, like a druggie, I went in there on my on steam.

Judi

@bajjerfan

“A screen door in a submarine. Now that’s funny. Thank you for the laugh. 😂

@gently

Thanks, gently. You are probably right. My husband said the same thing. I am stubborn to a fault, I guess. I’ll have to call them back and that’s going to be very embarrassing to say the least after the fit I threw!

@clutch541

Good for you! I started first on Gabapentin and it didn’t even dull the pain, so they switched me to Pregabalin.

I’m originally from Seattle, Washington. We moved to Kentucky only 3 years ago. I had no trouble in Seattle getting my Pregabalin prescription filled, so this has been a real shock to me. If I could afford it, I swear I would move back to Seattle. Loved my doctors there. Haven’t found one here that I really like. They just don’t seem to care. Maybe it’s my age.