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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> MEDS & DRUG TESTING
        
(Message started by: CHERRILL on Oct 17^th, 2002, 6:23am)

Title: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by CHERRILL on Oct 17^th, 2002, 6:23am

I'M ABOUT TO START A NEW JOB AND HAVE TO TAKE A DRUG TEST AND WAS WONDERING IF ANY KNOWS? I AM TAKING IMITREX INJ. AND PREDNISONE. WILL THIS SHOW UP ON MY DRUG TEST? I DO NOT WANT TO TELL THEM THAT I AM TAKING THESE MEDS BECAUSE THEN I WILL HAVE TO GO INTO EXPLANATION OF WHY I'M TAKING THESE MEDS AND AM AFRAID IF I TELL THEM THAT I SUFFER FROM EPISODIC CH THEY WILL NOT HIRE ME. I DO NOT TAKE ANY OTHER DRUGS LEGAL OR ILLEGAL. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by Slammy on Oct 17^th, 2002, 10:52am

Cherrill,

Most employment drug tests only check for the presence of marijuana or cocaine in a persons system. Actually, it's more of a screen than an actually test. The drugs you are under prescription for will not show up on the screen.

Slammy 8)

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by domm on Oct 17^th, 2002, 4:56pm

Cherrill - you don't have to explain anything. Medical information is private and employers or potential employers are only allowed to ask "do you have any medical conditions that would prevent you from doing this job?" if they ask anything else, they are in violation of the law (ADA). If you have a prescription and you divulge the medications you are on, there is absolutely nothing they can do.
Good luck and don't worry
domm

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by Not4Hire on Oct 17^th, 2002, 6:10pm

....but stay off the poppyseed muffins....they *say* that this can give you a false reading for opiate use.....

(poppies=source of opium>morphine>heroin)

YMMV ;D

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by Drk^Angel on Oct 17^th, 2002, 7:34pm

OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocets, etc. would prolly cause you to have a positive opiate use. I know that some here take these, but as long as it's prescribed, it shouldn't bar ya from employment. The drugs you listed though, I don't think they'd be tested. Sumatriptan most likely not... Don't know if they test for steroids. I doubt it, unless you're a football player or something, and normally they're looking for anabolic steroids in that case. If you might be taking the herbal treatment, you'll prolly want to stop it for a few days to a week before the test. Other than that, can't think of anything else. Good luck!

PFDAN............................ Drk^Angel

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by Mark C on Oct 17^th, 2002, 8:34pm

No worries with standard CH meds Cherrill, unless you have been taking narcotics that are not prescribed for you! :)
Good luck with the new job.
Mark

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by kristi on Oct 17^th, 2002, 9:18pm

I handled the safety/legal regulations for a large trucking company for several years (read: I was in charge of the drug testing for truck drivers). My training and experience was this:

First, tell the employer NOTHING. They will send you to a medical professional to have the drug testing done. The medical professional will ask you to list, in writing, in advance of the testing, any drugs that may be found in your system, including over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen and any and all prescriptions; also, the name of the doctor who prescribed them, etc. (the medical professional has the right to contact the doctor and make sure the med was actually prescribed for you, as opposed to being bought on the street or you taking someone else's drugs). The medical professional should not ask you WHY you are taking the medications. Also, they CANNOT release any of the information you provide about your legal medications to the employer.

After the testing, if you are positive for anything that could be linked to the prescription medications you listed, you can be cleared of any wrong-doing and will pass the test.

Although it is not common for an employer to test for more than marijuana and cocaine, there are tests available to the employer than will do it. The more detailed the testing, the more expensive, so most employers only do the basic screen.

Bottom line - be honest with the medical professional, to make sure you pass with flying colors, and be confident that they cannot relate any of the info. back to the employer.

Good luck and PFDAN!

K

Title: Re: MEDS & DRUG TESTING
Post by CHERRILL on Oct 18^th, 2002, 11:45am

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REPLIED TO MY QUESTION. I FEEL ALOT BETTER NOW. I REALLY NEED THIS JOB. THE MEDICAL BENEFITS ARE ALOT BETTER NAD HOPEFULLY WILL PROVIDE ME WITH MORE THAN JUST 4 SHOTS OF IMITREX PER MONTH THAT OUR CURRENT INS. GIVES ME. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU ALL.