Drug testing question?

Question

My doctor has me on the drug Opana ER for RSD in my hand. It is a relief to finally have something that helps my pain. Here is my question, I went on a job interview and got the job...(hurray) there is a company car involved. I do not take the Opana during the day even though it is prescribed for me too because i have a 6 year old and i am scared if i have to drive i could have an accident. Anyway, I have to have a drug test for the job, is Opana going to show up? Should I tell the tester that i am taking it? I could try not taking it for 3-4 days but my pain would be out of control......thanks for your help

Answer 1

Yes, it will show up, but as long as you have a valid prescription for it, you're a-okay. Bring your bottle with you and tell the tester you take it. You should have also mentioned it to your new boss when you foudn out about the drug test. I am a chronic apin patient also, and when I got offered a job that involved a drug test, i was very up-front about the fact that I have to take narcotics, and the hiring manager said "As long as you bring your bottles with you, you're fine." I didn't take the job, but they did offer it to me.

About driving while taking the meds: since you're a chronic apin patient, the medication doesn't affect you like it would someone who is not. If it doesn't make you drowsy, you can drive no problem. I take 40 mgs of Oxycontin 2 times a day, and OxyFast for breakthrough pain, and I recently made a 14 hour drive-- alone-- while taking it. It doesn't make me the slightest bit drowsy or anything else, so it's not a problem. Of course, it's your choice, but as long as you aren't getting sleepy (and most chronic pain patients don't) you should be okay to drive.

Also, for the idiot up there who said that you can be denied the job because of your chronic pain: WRONG. It's a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. They can deny you the car, but they cannot deny you the job based on the fact that you have a medical condition.Believe me, I've researched the hell out of it, because I am currently looking for a job, and I can't NOT tell them about my chronic pain in case there is a drug test, but I was afraid of being denied a job because of the ignorance of people who are not pain pateints, and who don't understand that because of our pain levels narcotics work differently for us. I don't know a chronic pain patient anywhere who gets "high" from the medication, or sleepy, or anything else. If I met you on the street you wouldn't even know I was on narcotics on a permanent basis at a high dose. I am totally normal, I can drive, cook, and do pretty much anything I want. I certainly don't get high, or act high, or look high, or feel high. I feel like myself, normal, without pain. It's that kind of attitude that keeps chronic pain patients stigmatized and discriminated against.

Answer 2

Ask your doctor. but I'm pretty sure it's one of the morphine based drugs. In that case, it will show up on the test. Are you taking this drug on a permanent basis? If so, you've got a problem. Legally, with the prescription you would have no problem, just show the medication to the tester and inform them of the problem. Since it's an injury, you should only need it for a short time. They'll either re-schedule the test or do it anyway (There's lots of other drugs they can test for that you'll test negative for if you aren't taking them).
It takes from four days to a week for the drug to clear your system enough to test negative depending on the test.

However, if this is a permanent situation, even though you have a legitimate medical concern and prescription, they can refuse you the job if part of your tasks involve driving or anything like that. Regardless of the legitimacy of your pain, this type of drug is still highly addictive and you will suffer the side affects of withdrawal as well as the *benefits* of getting *high* that go along with your pain management.

Answer 3

It depends on what test and what drugs. Pot stays with you 30+ days in a urine screen, I think meth is also 30 days, vicodin and other narcotics 5-7 days and if I remember right alcohol is 1-2 days. The times can be a little less (day or 2 maybe) if you consume a lot of fluid regularly. If it is a hair screen you are screwed!! Hair goes back 3 months or more with reliable results. Despite what you will read on the net there is NO WAY to fool a hair screen! Shampoos and creams do NOT work, don't waste your money. You should stop NOW! Not only for the drug screen but for your health!

Answer 4

You should be asked if you are taking any prescription medication. But definitely advise the testing personnel of the medication. The company's insurance liability may still deny you the ability to drive a company automobile however as the drug is still in your system even though you take it only at night.

Answer 5

Tell the tester, take your prescription in to show at the lab. It shouldn't matter if the med is legally prescribed by your doc.

Answer 6

List the drug that you are taking and if they need a note from your doctor, be prepared to provide it.
Congrats on the new job!