False Positive on Drug Test, page 179

False Positives Forum

This forum is intended to help those who Do NOT Abuse Drugs. We do NOT support the illegal use of any substance. If you have experience with false positives, share your experience. What would you tell someone about drug testing and false positives? Please remember that we do not give medical or legal advice.

Urine screen for THC
Date: 3/2/2012
I recently failed a urine screen for THC and I have not smoked pot for over 4 years. They are going to send my results to the lab for confirmation and the waiting process is nerve wrecking. I take advil pm daily to fall asleep because I work in a war zone. I also take aleve along with numerous amounts of daily supplements because I work out a lot while deployed. What happens if my lab confirmation comes back as a positive result and is it possible for them to distinguish what I have been taking? I just need to know what to expect so I can take the necessary routes to clear this mess up. Thank you.

Jimmy

AskDocWeb: There is no way for us to know what you might expect without knowing more about your situation. You mentioned working in a war zone and being deployed so that sounds like you might be in military service. Is that correct? If so which one? There is a major difference between how military and civilians are processed for drug abuse. A quick check of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine websites produced the following:

The Marine Corps policy is ZERO TOLERANCE for illegal drug use. Any Marine who tests positive for illegal drug use will be charged under the UCMJ and processed for separation immediately.

Last year the US Air Force published their “ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT (ADAPT) PROGRAM” in which they say that a positive drug test Can lead to criminal prosecution resulting in a punitive discharge or administrative actions, including separation or discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The quick search of the Navy and Army websites did not provide any clear guidelines.

If there is no THC in your sample then the confirmation test will show that and you will be in the clear.

Note for Bill: Your post about Copaxone has been moved to the miscellaneous pages.

Tested positive for opiates
Date: 3/2/2012
I recentley had to take a drug screen and tested positive for opiates. I do not take any meds. I suffer from kidney stones and high blood pressure. They tested the sample twice. On the second test the number amount was more. Why whould that be? Thanks for your help.

Jay

AskDocWeb: Did they use the same test both times or was the second test a confirmation test?

Fastin XR
Date: 3/2/2012
Can u fail a drug test by taking fastin xr?

David

AskDocWeb: Please see the answer on page 175.

Cephalexin, rifampin or tonic water
Date: 3/2/2012
Can using cephalexin or rifampin cause a false positive for cocaine? I got randomly tested and have no idea where it came from! Also drink alot of tonic water? Is it possible? If not what should I be looking for?

Betsy

AskDocWeb: It wasn’t the cephalexin or rifampin but it could have been the tonic water. That is according to the people who make the drug testing kits. See reference 18.

GC/MS test
Date: 3/2/2012
I go to a pain clinic and take oxicotin and oxicodone. Someone called them and said I took meth, which I did not. The urine test was neg. for meth but they sent it to have a gc/ms test that I have to pay for. One thousand dollar test. I take everything there is for sinus from alavert d-12 to nasal spray afrin and inhalers. Will this test be a false postive for meth?

JoNett

AskDocWeb: If your urine test was negative for meth then it is highly unlikely that a GC/MS confirmation test would show any different.

Somebody with epilepsy
Date: 3/4/2012
First I don’t take anything not prescribed no illegal drugs and I dont drink. I have been waiting for a while to have a surgery done on my legs so I can walk well just not be in pain. Was delayed because of a seizure and I am wanting nothing to get in the way this time. It seems like they want to find any reason not to help me. So I dont want my pre-op blood test to show anything negative. I am not sure if they do tox screens but I dont want a false positive.

I take ultram, fioricet, lortab, ibprofen, gabapentin, keppra, zofran, phenegren. that are the main ones I take. I just want no problems with being able to get this done so I can not be in constant pain. Walking is a issue I have accepted that there will be little of. be nice to not have to be on pain killers just to function at a 10% level compared to norm.

I have had some bad luck with docs so I’m gonna be pissed if they blow me off again and I’ll switch entire city hospitals. They never found drugs in me but I’ve been in the ER for seirzures often and they always make a jackass comment, oh we know what the tox screen will be we are waiting on it. Every time it came back negative though but conspiracy? Unlikely but they are quick to assume anything this is why I’m asking for your help. Somebody with epilepsy is treated like a drug withdrawl every time. I love this system. Thank you so much.

Shane

AskDocWeb: You are not alone, epilepsy affects almost one percent of the population in the United States. Unfortunately some of the most obvious symptoms of epilepsy are also symptoms of drug abuse. Since drug abuse is a lot more prevalent, those in ER are inclined to assume that drug abuse is the most likely explanation until they have evidence otherwise. You can provide them with that evidence if you wear a medical ID. An engraved medical ID bracelet or necklace that gives a concise overview of your condition, allergies, and medications may avoid misunderstandings. It also saves time when time is critical, especially in the ER. Here is a partial list of ailments or persons who should wear a medical ID:

  • ADD/ADHD
  • Alzheimer`s/Dementia/Memory impairment
  • Anemia
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Arrhythmias
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Bariatric surgery patients
  • Blood disorders
  • Blood thinners/anticoagulants (Coumadin/Warfarin)/even aspirin
  • Breathing disorders
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Clinical trial patients
  • COPD
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Drug allergies (such as Penicillin)
  • Emphysema
  • Epilepsy, seizures
  • Food allergies (such as peanut)
  • Hearing, sight or mentally impaired
  • Heart disease (angina, atrial fibrillation, pacemakers)
  • Hypertension
  • Insect allergies (such as bee stings)
  • Kidney failure
  • Mental health patients
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson`s Disease
  • People taking multiple medications
  • Rare diseases
  • Special needs children
  • Stroke risk
  • Surgery, transplant or cancer patients
  • Tourette Syndrome

Medical ID tags can be worn around the neck, wrist, or ankle. There are also the kind that opens up so that a small sheet of paper can be inserted with important data. This is handy for those whose situation changes often or to avoid engraving costs.

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