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Forum Name: Pharmacology Topics

Question: [b]How can this be?[/b]

vigilantnow - Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:03 pm

How is it possible to get a positive on cocaine in routine lab work when I have never ever used an illegal drug?

Shannon Morgan, CMA - Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:06 pm

Was it a urine test or blood? ANY kind of stimulant, even over the counter ones, like any decongestant (check the medication if you take allergy meds, some antihistamines contain decongestant as well), Asthma medications, diet AIDS, natural energy substances, etc. can show a false positive. There is also a method of testing called EMIT that has a fairly high rate of false positives.

vigilantnow - Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:23 pm

Thanks for your response! Further checking I learned that when I was diagonosed with vocal cord cancer in 2004, a panendoscopy (camera into throat) was done during which a spray containing cocaine was used. Then regular urine test (required for all patients receiving pain meds)ordered by PCP. This was at a VA hospital, and my primary care doctor failed to go back & see why someone with my history & age (70) would have shown positive for cocaine. She had cut back on pain meds (Tylenol #3) & used that as a reason, and I will take further steps to insure test was ONLY reason cocaine showed up . Also requested consultation with pain mgmt specialist since I live with continous pain due to several compressed discs, hip replacements, many bone fractures & severe Arthritis & heart transplant. Extreme frustration with all this; despite being on constant morphine for 6 months while awaiting new heart I never experienced any withdrawal or desire for the drug. I am not a drug abuser and no one should have to live like this!

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