Drug Testing?

[Kimchi]

I know I have not been here for a long time. I have been going thru so much lately and had actually had a nice long spell where I was not so flared up. I think the daily instillations really helped. But that is all back w/ a vengence and I now have FM.

I was wondering if anyone has any idea how this will go. I just interviewed for a dream job and may get it. I have a really good shot. I may have to take a drug screen, I am not sure. How does that work? I take Oxycontin and Norco. I know I tell the screener I take these meds but will they tell my potenital employer that I take them? Will they not hire me if they know I take these heavy narcotics? It's a desk job and I can function. Most people don't know I take this stuff. I just don't want to lose this opportunity b/c of these stupid pain meds. Help and suggestions please.

[ICNDonna]

When you go for the drug testing, take your prescription bottles with you so they can make a notation. They are testing for illegal drugs. I hope you get the job you want.

Hugs,
Donna

[Kimchi]

So they can't discriminate against me? I know the potential employer will get a copy of my drug screen. It's gonna show what I take.

[Claredale]

I just went through that more than 3 months ago. I took all my meds, etc. When they lady (this place did drug test for many companies, not just where I was applying for) asked me to give her a urine sample. I asked her where I write down what meds I am currently on. She said that they will call me if there were any problems, but the meds I showed her didn't seem to alert her at all. I was on Lortab, Valium, B&O supp. Like Donna said, they are looking for illegal drugs. I never even got a phone call for an explanation and I got the job! That is a good question by the way!

Tracey

[hdb1982]

I had the issue at my previous job. They didn't drug screen but got really nervous when they heard I was on xanax and lortab. Worrying about it effecting my job, I worked in a call center at the hospital and did scheduling, messages and pharmacy call is's for 13 clinics and 300+ doctors. I just had my dr write a letter stating I had been on the medication for a long time and it does not effect my daily functioning or my ability to do the tasks required by my job. This letter made my employer at ease and is escpecially helpful now that I'm in the job market again.

[Kimchi]

here where I live, so many people are on those meds illegally. Especially the oxycontin. Well see how this goes. It may not even be an issue but I don't want to put in a notice w/ my current employer before I am clear for the other one. Thanks for the input!

[Kimchi]

I was offered the job! Now all I have to do is get this physical and drug screen behind me. I am so nervous that this will be a problem. I don't take anything I am not supposed too, just what to a normal person would seem like a heck of a lot of narcotics.

[Babs RN]

I have had to take many pre-employment post offer drug screens and here is the way it has gone for me--I tell them at the physical and urinalysis what I take, my urine goes in, there is usually a medical reviewing officer(a doctor hired by the lab to look over the tests)who usually contacts me, I submit my pharmacy records and or/documentation from my doc. Then, in the system it is written so that the results do not affect my employment. I am a nurse and have never had an issue or had an offer rescinded. Congrats on the job!

Hugs,
Barb:smile tee

[Kimchi]

I am just so stressed about this. I want to get it overwith. One more question, I have a horrible cold and had been taking some OTC cough meds. Will this show a false pos? Will this make a difference? It's so bad, there is no way I can go w/o taking something. How long w/ that stay in my system? I have only taken 2 doses of a med w/ phenylephrine and guaifensin and 1 w/ dextromenthrophan

[Kimchi]

Also, Babs, what sort of pain meds do you take? Is it as heavy as the ones I take? I am on the phone w/ my pain clinic now to get a letter

[Babs RN]

The meds in OTC cold meds are usually not tested in the drug tests. My pain meds are definitely in the same league as yours, I take a long acting pain med, one for breakthrough, and then intermittently one for spasms that show up on drug tests.

Hugs,
Barb:smile tee

[Babs RN]

PS--OTC cold meds also usually won't show a false positive but if you are really concerned just make sure you are honest. It is deception and leaving things out that causes issues, or people who have a positive drug test for opiates and no prescription for it kinda thing.

Hugs,
Barb:hi:

[Claredale]

Congrats on the job! Please don't stress over this. I know you are scared. I was when I was testing for my job. I take several schedule 2 narcotics and had just finished a flare (my son got married, so I was quite stressed). The company that did my testing is a national company and do testing for many companies. LIke I said before, I had all my information, pill bottles, showing what meds I was on. When I asked if I needed to show them my info, I was told no. If there were any concerns once the results came back, that is when they would give me the opportunity to explain. I never got a call and was given my offer letter 2 days later. Just have your info and relax. You will do great! I have a friend that works in security at FedEx and he said that even when they do random drug testing, they are looking for illegal drugs. I always keep my meds in their current bottles just in case I get stopped by the police or anything. I keep the rest of my meds in my previous bottles so if I do lose my purse, or whatever, I don't lose all my meds. The only time I ever had any problems was when I went to England and I had some of my meds with me in one bottle just in case they lost my luggage and had the rest in my luggage. They actually pulled my luggage and checked to make sure that I had the prescriptions in my name. Quite embarrassing at the time, but they had their rules. Luckily I was early and didn't miss the plane. I just kept telling them that my travel info said to keep extra meds with me just in case my luggage was delayed.