Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> How does CH Treatment effect UA?
        
(Message started by: Jaime on Sep 25^th, 2004, 1:25am)

Title: How does CH Treatment effect UA?
Post by Jaime on Sep 25^th, 2004, 1:25am

I had to give a urine sample as part of the hiring process for a new job today. I'm curious how Verapamil, Remeron, Relpax, Melatonin and Vioxx will show up in the drug screening results. I didn't tell my new employer about my headaches. I would rather wait until after the 90 day probation period is over, and my health insurance bennies kick in.

I'm thinking I should be ok, because I don't drink alcohol or do any other drugs, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask here. A dirty UA from the CH treatment drugs would be the only thing to stop my new job. Can anyone ease my mind?

Title: Re: How does CH Treatment effect UA?
Post by BobG on Sep 25^th, 2004, 1:49am

I have no idea if any of the cluster meds will show up in a test. But, I would be very sure to have proof of a prescription for every medicine that could or might show up.
Best of luck on the new job.

Title: Re: How does CH Treatment effect UA?
Post by Dave_Emond on Sep 25^th, 2004, 2:26am

Hi Jamie,
Congrats on the job!
If I remember right from back when I worked for a company that did drug testing, you probably have nothing to worry about. The employer sends you to a service for the tests, you sign a consent form. Pretty sure there is a spot on there for letting the lab know what prescription meds you are currently taking or have taken within a time frame.
Most employers will use a service with the standard recommended five panel test, consisting of: Marijuana (THC), Cocaine, PCP, Opiates (such as codeine and morphine) and Amphetamines (including methamphetamine).
In the case of a positive test, or abnormal results, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews the results. After the service gets the results back from the lab, they may contact your employer in order to obtain your phone number so the MRO may talk with you directly about the results to determine if there is an acceptable reason for a positive/abnormal test.
Keep it honest with the service lab, you’re on prescription meds, let them know. This shouldn’t have to get back to the employer, but if it did and you were turned down solely on those grounds (in most states), it’s the employer who can only get themselves in trouble.
Know you want the job and of course the benefits, just be careful of withholding too much info from your employer ... a trust you may need down the line. Are you in a “right to work” State? Are you chronic or episodic?
I understand you've already taken the test, but just thought I'd throw in the other info for those who might also wonder about this type of situation.
Hope it all works out and it should … good luck,
Dave

Title: Re: How does CH Treatment effect UA?
Post by alleyoop on Sep 25^th, 2004, 1:05pm

Hi Jaime,

Maybe this will put your mind at ease:

The most common type of pre-employment drug test is a urine test. It is the easiest and least expensive test to give, and is used by most companies to screen employees for use of illegal drugs. It usually can detect use of drugs for the past few days to a week. Chronic users can expect their urine to detect drugs even 30 days after the last dose. Don’t assume you are in the clear if you take a few days off from your recreational drugs. Many variables affect the presence of drugs in the urine, including metabolism, frequency of use, potency of the drug in question, and hydration of the individual. Depending on the employer and the type of position you are applying for, a blood or hair test can also be given. These tests are expensive, but can detect a larger variety of chemicals and for a longer time period.

Drug screens do not measure how much drug is in the urine, simply if a drug is present or not. Only these drugs are tested for in a standard drug screen:

• Marijuana (cannabis, hash)

• Cocaine (crack, benzoylecognine)

• Opiates (heroin, opium, morphine)

• PCPs (phencyclidine)

• Amphetamines (speed, methamphetamines)

Tests are not given to determine the presence of any other compounds. The test will not know if you are taking anti-retroviral medication so do not stop taking anti-retroviral medication because of an upcoming drug screen!!!

Expanded tests can look for barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, and propoxyphene. Sometimes, alcohol is tested for, but usually during tests given after you are hired, or if there is a question of your sobriety, not for pre-employment. Few companies test for LSD, MDA, mescaline, or inhalants.

Your future employer wants to know if you are using illicit drugs, not if you are taking medication prescribed by a doctor. If you test positive for any of these drugs you will be asked by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) who performs the test to show proof of a legal prescription. This will be reported to the employer as a negative result. You must be honest with the Medical Review Officer, but you do not have to disclose your HIV status or HIV medications. If you take Sustiva, certain urine tests will show a positive result for marijuana in error. If this occurs, ask the MRO to confirm the test with another brand of urine test. (False positive tests occur only with the CEDIA DAU Multi-level THC assay.)

Examples of prescription drugs that can cause a positive test are drugs for pain, sleeplessness, anxiety, neuropathy, and others. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) with codeine, alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), Marinol, tincture of opium, hydrocodone (Anexsia or Hydrocet) and methadone all will cause positive test results. Again, be honest with the MRO. It is your responsibility to clear up any positive results of the drug test. Positive results resulting from a prescribed drug are reported as negative to the employer. Copies of prescription receipts or medical records will be very helpful to the MRO. A pharmacist can easily give you copies of prescription receipts if you need them.

You can read the whole story at:

http://www.tpan.com/publications/positively_aware/sept_oct_00/back_to_work_drug_screen.html

..............................alley

Title: Re: How does CH Treatment effect UA?
Post by Jaime on Sep 25^th, 2004, 3:32pm

Thanks everyone for the info. It looks like I've got nothing to worry about.

I agree that honesty and trust are important. It is all about timing, isn't it? ;)