Oral mouth swab needed as per new guidelines for us on high level pain medication.

[tree-pagan]

Has anyone else in Scotland been requested by GP to get an 'Oral mouth swab?' I don't understand why?

[Bananas5]

Did you ask your GP why?

It could be to detect misuse of opiats

x

[tree-pagan in reply to Bananas5]

Bananas5 Thank you for responding x I've been on a tapering plan since June this year - from the opiate - Oxycontin which has increased my nerve pain. She said that it will just confirm my prescriptions. They know what I take - they prescribed them..... 🥴

[Bananas5 in reply to tree-pagan]

Took my David 2 years to come off oxyconnnnnntin..b of a drug..

You would be surprised how many people still misuse prescription drugs.....sadly but pain gets to them

x

[tree-pagan in reply to Bananas5]

Yes, I totally understand that feeling of being in so much pain that can make you desperate - it's very wrong that then you would be labeled a junkie - makes me feel really angry how they expect patients to suffer..... 🤬 Sorry for ranting. How are you keeping? x

[heatherevans28]

No, I haven't heard anything about it or been asked to do one. I'm in Glasgow and getting my regular opiate prescription. When you get it done I would just ask what it's to test for.

[tree-pagan in reply to heatherevans28]

Thanks for replying Heather. Would you mind me asking how many opiates you take daily? I am currently at 150mg - and on a tapering plan

[heatherevans28 in reply to tree-pagan]

120mg, but allowed up to 240mg on bad days. I'm currently tapering as well so fingers crossed it goes well for both of us. No mouth swabs though.

[Amkoffee]

Here in the US that's become standard practice. However I feel that mouth swab tests are highly inaccurate. I have only done UAs. And what they do is test to see that you have opiates in your system. They do this to make sure that you're not selling your drugs or not taking your drugs for some other reason. And of course, they are looking for drugs you shouldn't taking such as illegal drugs.

[tree-pagan in reply to Amkoffee]

Thank you for replying Amkoffee. I've no concerns regarding any illegal drugs and wouldn't know where to start selling them ha ha. I do however feel like a junkie getting it done.☹️