Questions about False Positives in Drug Testing, page 216

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 this forum is not for medical or legal advice.

Is that possible?
7/14/2012
I had a probation meeting my first one and had to take a urine drug test, my Wisconsin Probation Officer stated it was instantly positive and was sent to the lab.. Its been at least 100 days without smoking any marijuana, but was smoking heavily before that for months… Is that possible to fail?? How accurate can a quick testing kit really be?? What can i expect from lab results??

Anthony

AskDocWeb: Yes, it is possible to fail. Research on urine screening published by norml.org (December 10, 2008) says that THC-COOH levels may be detected in the urine of heavy smokers for up to 100 days or longer after discontinuing use.

Supplements
7/14/2012
I’m going to job corps soon and was curious if i may get a false positive from Ripped Fuel 5x, 6 star nutrition’s whey protein shake mix, or Met-Rx’s Big 100 Colossal protein bars.

Steven

AskDocWeb: None of those products have shown up in the research on false positives however, you may want to contact the customer service department of each manufacturer for a confirmation.

What’s the difference
7/15/2012
What is the difference between a false positive and a positive result in a drug test?

Susie

AskDocWeb: A “positive result” in a drug test means that a substance is present in the sample and you are presumed to have used that drug. A “negative result” means that a substance is NOT present in the sample and you are clean.

Question about an answer
7/16/2012
I sent a question in yesterday about a false positives I recently got I was wondering how long it takes to get a answer cause Im going back to the doctor today

Tyna

AskDocWeb: Your answer is on the previous page. Good luck with your appointment.

Accused of foul play
7/16/2012
I have been taking Hydrocodone/Aceteminiphen 10/500 3 times a day for the last two months. Recently, due to the amount that I was taking, my midwife had suggested that we sign a pain management contract to cover her and to monitor me and my usage. This was not a problem as I understand that people abuse narcotics and that she has her concerns for me to be one of those people. Part of the contract states that she can test my urine to check my levels of opiates. Again, not a problem as I was taking 3 a day.

At my last appointment I was blindsided when the nurse and MW asked me what I was doing with my pills! I told them I was taking them and they said it was impossible as 2 out of the last 3 of my UA came back negative for opiates! At this point I was outraged for being accused of NOT taking my medicine! That medicine was the only thing that was working for my chronic nerve damage pain that flared back up during my current pregnancy. I was stunned and asked them to do a blood test as I knew it would come back positive since I take my medicine everyday. Again, the results were negative for opiates!!!! How can this be??

I take an all organic raw prenatal vitiman three times a day that has MANY MORE herbs and concoctions of natural vitimans that are not in the synthetic brands that you can buy at any local grocery market! I want to know what I can do to rectify this situation as I am not one to take being accused of foul play especially when there is NO truth behind it!

Mal

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you may have gotten outraged too fast. That makes people suspicious. Since you say that you take the meds 3 times a day, they should show up in the blood test. We suggest you discuss the situation with your primary doctor and ask for both another urine and blood test. Readers are invited to offer suggestions or comments.

We encourage those with chronic pain to explore alternative ways to lower pain levels and not rely solely on drugs for pain management. Here’s a partial list of what others have found helpful:

  • Acupuncture
  • Aqua therapy
  • Counseling (to help find healthy ways to manage pain)
  • Don’t smoke
  • Exercise daily
  • Home physical therapy
  • Maintain a healthy weight for your height (BMI
  • Massage
  • Organic diet – minimize processed foods
  • TENS unit
  • Yoga/stretching

Drug test for a new job
7/16/2012
I have to take drug test for a new job, I would like to know if any of my medicines would cause me to fail. They are symbicort 160/4.5, escitalopram and levothroid.

Mom

AskDocWeb: Those medications are not known to cause a false positive on the urine tests used for employment. Good luck!

Liver disease
7/17/2012
Regarding liver disease causing false positive results for drug test (meth). My son was in rehab and doing really well when he suddenly tested positive for meth. He has Hepatitis C and is facing up to two years in jail, where he likely won’t be able to get his interferon treatment (not started yet). His liver specialist will write a letter to the judge if I can find information from a reputable medical journal. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thanks!
Cheryl

AskDocWeb: Sorry Sheryl, we have references that show liver disease may cause false positives for opiates, ecstasy, marijuana, and amphetamines but not for meth.

Can PCP be absorbed through the skin?
7/17/2012
A client is telling us that he is positive for PCP because he “handled it.” Can you get a false positive on a drug screen for coming in physical contact with PCP?

Patricia

AskDocWeb: PCP (Phencyclidine) is well absorbed by oral, pulmonary, nasal or even through skin contact. This has been confirmed by one of the manufacturers of drug tests, Princeton BioMeditech Corporation. (http://www.chirus.com/download_files/doa_205.pdf) Please note that the absorption of PCP through handling it is not a false positive test result because the drug really is or was in the subject’s system.

Ambien
7/17/2012
I have taken 15 10mg ambien in the past 90 days will this amount cause me to fail a hair drug test?

Troy

AskDocWeb: If the drug test is for drugs of abuse then Ambien does not show up.

False Positive for Ethanol Alcohol Urine Test
7/18/2012
I had just gotten released from the hospital from having a baby. The day after I was discharged from the hospital I went and toke a UA for my case worker and turned up positive for Alcohol. I have not drank alcohol since June 8 2011. I have a lot to loose, everything that I work hard for. I did drink Orange juice that has been sitting in the fridge for a couple of months, maybe three. What could have cause this? I did take pain meds, induce meds, high blood pressure meds, and antibotics during delievery on the 3rd and was released from the hospital on the 5th and tested a false positive on the 6th. I am innocent and feel as if I am about to lose everything for something I didn’t do intentionally. What can I do to prove my innocents?

Brenda

AskDocWeb: If discussing this with your doctor does not help then you may need to ask a Lawyer about your options.

If your urine was submitted for ethyl glucuronide (EtG) testing, you should know that this test is notoriously unreliable. Since alcohol is easily absorbed through the skin, it is possible to get a positive result on urine tests from products applied topically such as cosmetics, skin care, and hygiene products. It is also possible to consumed alcohol and not realize it from the following products:

  • balsamic vinegar
  • breath drops
  • cooking Vanilla (30% alcohol by volume)
  • cough syrup
  • extra sour dough bread
  • mouthwash
  • soy sauce
  • teriaki sauce

Many other product also contain alcohol.

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