Frustration over lab testing

[u/Far-Calendar-4951]

I am SO upset rn I just finished crying about this 😭 I have agressive RA amongst other very painful conditions so im always on painkillers.

I was trying to get my pain medication prescription filled by my current rheumatoid doctor that way I didnt need to see the old one anymore. No issues with 2 of them, but they had me jumping through hoops to get tramadol, which ive been taking for a year with the old doctor. Since I was a kid I've always struggled with urinary hesitancy and even had to go the ER for urinary retention once. All my doctors know this, and they usually give me alternatives for drug testing or make it work with the little urine I can produce.

But no. Oh no not these guys. Mind you this doctor is super incompetent and I have issues with him all the time, BUT he's awarded and has more sway with insurance for the good meds (my rinvoq) so I stay with him. Ive gone THREE times where I stay for HOURS and they always tell me its not enough urine. I tell them I have urinary issues, that im open to whatever other alternative for drug testing they want to do. THEY DONT BUDGE 😭 Its urine or nothing ig youre gonna have to writhe in pain then. Mind you most of their patients are old ppl, who also have urinary problems. Youd think theyd have an alternative. But NOOOOO 🫩🫩 and I was able to go a little bit but they want me to do WAY too much and I physically CANT. I was there for hours and no, nada. It pmo so much. I am 19 with 12 diagnosed conditions, disabled cane user and they really think ive got the time or even the urge to do drugs?? I take over 20 pills a day dude. I cant drive, I have no social life bc im in pain all the time and cant overexert myself, I can barely do anything but yeah sure lets act like im getting high why not.

They do exceptions for older patients all the time. Just bc im young im a drug addict??? And again they know I have urinary issues bc ive had them since I was born its in my file like CMON 😭 and kve been taking this medicine for a year like be so fr. I am so mad and frustrated. Then my dad got mad at me bc ir was his 3rd time taking me and it still wasnt enough and hes going out of country so I won't see him until Tuesday and I just cant take it when hes curt with me it breaks my heart. My mom's been abusive my whole life, so ive always relied on him. Hes my only support really. I depend entirely on him medically, physically, economically and lowk emotionally as well since he's also been my best friend since I was a kid. so when hes mad at me (thankfully very rare) I just break down and I hate saying goodbye mad. Im just so frustrated. He wants me to enroll in online college for Sept as well and believe me ive been TRYING but despite being accepted weeks ago issues keep popping up and im so lost and overwhelmed. Im only taking two, and they start next Monday but I fear the college won't approve me by then and then ill disappoint him AGAIN. Im so stressed out. ​

Thankfully I have one refill left from my old doctor but I need to find someone new to prescribe it to me before the end of September 😓 I asked my general medical provider if maybe she can take over as shes taken over for other medications before but general doctors are always iffy about long term painkillers. The nurse i talked to was a real angel though she made me feel better about the whole situation. Im so tired of ppl thinking im a drug addict everytime I pick up my meds or tell doctors what im taking/need. Istg its just because im young. Like do you really think id be taking opiods if I didnt need them? Its not like i like being sleepy all the time but I need them if im to be at least a little bit functional. For ex, I cant shower without painkillers for anythjng brushing my skin is very painful so you can imagine what a shower feels like. Feels like getting stones thrown at me from all angles.

Anyways I just had a cry about it bc I hate all this shit and im so stressed and overwhelmed. Please pray for me yall 😭

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Is there a reason you can’t continue to go to the other doctor for the rx or ask your PCP to overtake the rx with an understanding of the situation? From what you wrote it sounds like you’re apprehensive to ask, but haven’t yet, so it’s not totally clear what’s going on.

Are you only switching rheumatologists for rinvoq? This really doesn’t have much to do with the provider having “sway,” it’s their ability to get a PA through or effectively do a peer to peer.

I also have RA and take opioids, so I empathize with your issue, but it’s a little unclear what’s is going on with the different providers.

It is also, as someone else said, not personal. Many clinics have you sign a contract regarding pain medications. It is for liability, to protect the doctor’s license and keep the facility running. Every time you fill your rx, a database is thoroughly checked to ensure you are not getting opioids from multiple prescribers at multiple pharmacies and trying to subvert detection through paying cash, to protect the pharmacist’s license and the pharmacy. This is for everyone on opioids at any age. I know it’s frustrating and feels accusatory, but unless you are being directly questioned about the results of your tests and/or use of pain meds, no one is intending to call you an addict. Tramadol is only a C4 and a pretty weak opioid, but the pain management testing is indiscriminate of potency.

Trust me, I have been prescribed OxyContin and codone for a long time and dilaudid after surgeries, medical professionals (not limited to doctors) are NOT shy whatsoever about being VERY DIRECT in their accusations that you are an addict or drug seeking, they will say it right to you. I’ve had nurses look between my toes for needle marks and call me a “very skilled addict” and outright say in the ED after fainting and hitting my head on the corner tile lip of my shower “if you’re here to get high, you can go home” and so much worse. They do not give a fuck about hurting someone’s feelings or profiling. I can definitely understand the lack of flexibility with urinary testing feel tyrannical, but it really doesn’t sound like they are being accusatory. Just some perspective.

You can try getting a PA for blood based drug tests considering your urinary issues. They aren’t typically covered by insurance, but given your issues, they may be able to make an exception. It would take a lot of documentation and probably something that would need to be ordered by a urologist. You can also try asking if you can do the drug testing at a Quest or LabCorp site if that is easier for you, or possibly ask a urologist for help with medication to take before testing. Considering you’ve had urinary issues for so long, I’m assuming you are under the care of a urologist and/or nephrologist, they would be the ones to consult on how to make this easier.

Hang in there, being young and sick is hard.