Drug Screen?! - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

tbokay · 08-30-2005, 02:27 PM

I have applied for a part-time evenings job as a cashier at a local car dealership. After 45 min interview - 2 hours of testing! .. now I have to go for a drug screen! (after all this...I better get the job!)

I haven't taken Percocet for 3 wks now. Was doing relatively well till Sunday. Starting a flare but I am also due to have my period this week. I have to give them a sample before Friday so I plan to do this Wed right after work.

Anyway my question is - will they let me self-cath myself to give them the sample??? Cuz since last night I have had a terrible time urinating and have almost cathed a couple of times. I would rather not be sitting in their room for 5 minutes trying to pee.

And should I take them a list of meds since my urine is bright orange and they will want to know why?

***Sarojini*** · 08-30-2005, 02:46 PM

No. They will not let you bring anything into the drug test toilet with you -- no purse, nothing in your pockets, no cathing supplies.

I had a drug test for my current job and it was awful because I felt rushed and couldn't urinate for the longest time (I also have retention problems). They knocked on the door and made me go out and drink water, as if that was going to help. Finally, after a while, I was able to strain out enough urine for the test, and I had to explain to the woman that I had IC and that meant sometimes I had to pee all the time and sometimes it meant I couldn't pee at all -- but it was a terrible thing and I flared for a couple days because of the straining and the stress of the situation.

Also, if you are positive for any drugs (I was of course) they will call and want your pharmacy records and probably a letter from your prescribing doctor describing why you take the medication. As long as they get these things, the lab will report back to your employer that you were negative. So, if you must, take a Percocet and have your doc write a little note.

Sorry about the cath thing tho...

emilyrose197377 · 08-30-2005, 03:38 PM

Tara , good luck with the testing. I am too are in severe retention and in a lot of pain been living on Vicodin, ultram and pyruiduim .

Babs RN · 08-30-2005, 04:37 PM

I have had multiple drug tests, and as Jen said, a pharmacy record and a note from the prescribing doc is usually all they need.

Hugs,
Barb

tbokay · 08-30-2005, 05:20 PM

I dont have any appts with my docs till mid Sept. Can I just take in my medicine bottles so they can see what I take?

I don't want any false positive results that could cause me to not get this job. I debated on telling the lady today that I do occasionally take Percocet - but I figured I haven't taken it for 3 wks and don't want her to know more than she should before I take the job.

And as far as cathing - you don't think they would allow me to take in a small cath and the lubricant? What do they think I will do with it - cath someone else???? What if I taped it to the inside of my thigh and used it if necessary? Or do they watch you pee like in the military?

I recall having to do the urine test for a temp agency 2 yrs ago and I was there for an hour! Drinking water but unable to empty. Other people came and went with no problem! This was a whole year BEFORE I was diagnosed with IC. The more I think back the longer I think I went undiagnosed!

I guess I will just drink as much as I can tomorrow afternoon and hope my urethra and bladder cooperate when it comes time for the test.

I'm going to bed ... got another migraine.

***ICNDonna*** · 08-31-2005, 06:49 AM

In some places, there is someone to go in the bathroom with you for the drug test. At the hospital where I worked, if you were taking controlled medications you were asked to bring with you the actual prescription in its container showing the prescription number and ordering physician. They would then contact the physician if there were any questions.

Donna

tbokay · 09-01-2005, 02:32 PM

I went for the test yesterday (Wed 8/31) and had to cath the sample. I've found that if I hold my urine too long I can't go .. which was the case yesterday. I held it 30 minutes and I just couldn't get it out.

I had to wash my hands BEFORE the test, then they turned off the water to the room so I couldnt even do the trick of listening to the water run! I sat there for about 2 minutes and tried but then I gave up and told the nurse about my problem - she went to ask the doc who said it was okay after they saw that the cath was sterile and the lubricant was also sealed. 30 seconds later they had their urine!

I had my actual medication bottles with me but the nurse said they didnt need any of that. If it came up positive, they would call me first to find out what I take and may ask for doc's note. I hope it comes back negative.

I did notice in the cath that I had bloody mucus at the top of the tube. I am hoping that it was just from being cathed and not the start of any infections. Its a 3-day weekend! And I REFUSE to be stuck at home!!!

***Sarojini*** · 09-01-2005, 02:34 PM

Dammit

Lucky you... the people where I went said ABSOLUTELY NO to the cathing... I offered to let the doctor or nurse do it FOR ME so they knew no funny stuff was going on, but no dice. Had to sit for 30 min, literally... *sigh*

tbokay · 09-02-2005, 01:55 PM

I passed my drug test! (like I had anything to worry about!)

I was offered the position and accepted.

I will talk to my director on Tues to see when my change in hours can be effective so I can start this part-time job. I'm hoping Wed cuz I need the money!

Sarojini - sorry you had a bad experience. The last time I went to ER the nurse wouldn't let me cath myself for the sample - but most times they let me do myself. Guess it depends on the doc and nurse on how compassionate they want to be to us.

Babs RN · 09-02-2005, 02:02 PM

Congrats on your new position, Tara! Glad that you didn't have to do a paper chase with a positive UA either.

Hugs,
Barb

Bianchi · 09-02-2005, 02:23 PM

Congratulations Tara, I am very happy for you. You must be so relieved.
Bianchi