[suzaninwa]

I apparently tested positive for vicodin about four months ago and now they say I tested that there was no percocet in my system so I must not be taking it. I do take it and it is for breathrough pain and I am not given enough to take it daily, nor am I expected to since by it's own description it is a prn. I have never heard of an addictionologist and wonder what going there can prove. I have been living with chronic pain for over 17 years and diagnosed with nerve damage in both arms and arthritis so bad in both knees they need to be replaced as well as my fingers becoming twisted from the osteo arthritis. I am very concerned about my future.

[KBC]

I am a little lost on a few words you wrote.

Breathrough, is that brea(k)through? Pain.

Prn?

Am I to understand that you are prescribed Percocet and not Vicodin?

You don't 'apparently' test positive,you either do or you don't,there is no in betweens.

If you have taken Vicodin along with Percocet for the pains,there might be an addiction issue to be dealt with.Mixing medications is commonplace for addicts.

An addiction counselor(or the stated name,'addictionologist') is someone who understands addictive behaviors,has you present yourself as you feel you are and give you feedback(or at least your pain management clinic feedback) as to where they think you are in addictions or if there is no reason to have fears of addiction.

In my life,I have not seen too many wrong assessments made from the professionals in this field.That's not saying there are not crackpots out there, but they are weeded out with time.If you are to see someone for this assessment,make sure they are not a novice in the field.

Beyond that, I can't see where you should 'fear' being assessed,it's like a job interview,without the job at the end.:)

[KISS]

prn = as needed

I see percoset as "rescue med"

Rethink guys with tthese defs applied.

Vicodin at max dosages is a treatment for arthritus. Imd be curious as to # prescribed, for what period and how prescribed.

Just worried about exceeding APAP dosage. An occasional percoset isn't a bad thing.

[kp2171]

Maybe completely off topic, but ill bite...

I'm trained in the sciences... live there, work there, teach there...

That said.. I've seen eastern med, through acupuncture, do absolute wonders.

Cliff notes... if my ex had listened to her MD's, I would never have been a daddy to me wonderful son.

Acupuncture took her pain down 50% in two weeks. Took her off the painkillers within the month. Kept her from severe surgery.

I don't like talk about Chi. It bugs me. But I will say, with absolutely no hesitation, that acupuncture changed the life of my ex wife and myself. It was amazing.

I've seen her curled up, naked, on the bathroom floor in misery, in the fetal position.

I've seen her shed the pain that she lived with.

Just a thought.

[DrBill100]

I apparently tested positive for vicodin about four months ago and now they say I tested that there was no percocet in my system so I must not be taking it. I do take it and it is for breathrough pain and I am not given enough to take it daily, nor am I expected to since by it's own description it is a prn. I have never heard of an addictionologist and wonder what going there can prove. I have been living with chronic pain for over 17 years and diagnosed with nerve damage in both arms and arthritis so bad in both knees they need to be replaced as well as my fingers becoming twisted from the osteo arthritis. I am very concerned about my future.

Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen). It is highly unusual to test for and identify a drug by brand name. Technically possible I suppose since hydrocodone is marketed only in combination but there is no purpose in identifying acetaminophen, sold OTC, and not a component in any standard drug panel. Perhaps pain clinics have become that specific, although I have never seen that type of test standardly ordered nor can I see any purpose in such specificity.

Notwithstanding, if a pain clinic previously identified an unprescribed opioid (hydrocodone) in your system I would suspect that as being the basis for their concern as opposed to the absence of Percocet given that it was PRN and therefore intermittently detectable.

It could also be that they make regular referrals for addiction assessment given the addictive nature of most pain medications, including Percocet. That would be particularly true if your insurance (or any third party payment) covers such referral.

Your question in relation to addictionologists was answered above.

[DrBill100]

maybe completely off topic, but ill bite...

im trained in the sciences... live there, work there, teach there...

that said.. ive seen eastern med, through acupuncture, do absolute wonders.

Acupuncture for pain is well established in "eastern medicine" as you note. It is even used for anesthesia in major surgery.

But, where do you locate a fully trained and experienced acupuncturist in the world of western medicine, the land of the magic pill.

[KISS]

You can. I did. Acupuncture is Relaxing. Was Accupuncture a magic pill for me. Nope. Did I like it. Yes.

[kp2171]

Acupuncture for pain is well established in "eastern medicine" as you note. It is even used for anesthesia in major surgery.

But, where do you locate a fully trained and experienced acupuncturist in the world of western medicine, the land of the magic pill.

I live in the midwest, usa. Smallerish city.

If a quality acupuncturist made it here, let alone four, it could happen in or near many other places.

While Chi talk is hard to hear, I completely get physiological response to physiological and/or mental stimulation.

The turning point for me was this... my ex was in terrible pain. Curled up on the bathroom floor naked, hoping the pain would stop. Cysts and adhesions. Western med said to continue to heavily medicate or to cut.

There are pressure points in the feet that can ease pain. I found them. Some nights it was the only thing that could lessen her pain so she could sleep.

Those pressure points helped her get some quality sleep. Helped her retain some sanity during an insane time.

The day my ex went to her acupuncturist for help... he looked distraught. He listened to her story. He knew there was a good chance he could help her... and he was legitimately frustrated that she was being told to medicate and to remove her uterus.

So... I'm a little biased here.

I am a daddy, in part, because a fearless woman wouldn't accept the "answer" she was given.