? about FirstLab or drug testing...

Nurses Recovery

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Just wanted to know how often you get selected for testing. I am really short on money and need to budget an amount for these random drug screens.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I have not been tested on the 4th or Christmas, but have been tested on lesser holidays like President's day, etc. With my thinking, I just think that makes them more likely to test me on a Major in the future just because they have not yet. I have often been tested on the 5th of July, June 1st, Dec 23rd and 26th, etc... If the places that are reasonable for you to test are closed, call Firstlab and tell them.

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Specializes in TICU,ED,EMT,INPT REHAB,SICU,GERIATRICS.

Need to vent!! Currently in NCBON AP for 1 year and clean for 22 months. Seems that a random drug screen is a little more predictable then they let us on, I only had one random for the month of june and was hoping to get away with not having to pay for a second, but knew in the back of my mind that firstlab would hit me up for the second before the month was out, sure enough on the last day of the month I get chosen for a random, how random is that? Did anyone else have this problem?

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Well, the good news is you won't be charged for it this month...Bad news is that you may get charged for 3 next month. I have had months where I have had only 1 test. I do believe that the randoms are random within a month, but not set up to be completely random for the year. I have been 45 days without a test, but never a calendar month without one. I just don't understand why the price went from $50 to $76. I thought it was for the "observed" testing, but the collection place where I go told me that they get less than $15 to collect it!

I am thankful that I am working now. It was tough enough to pay for everything when I wasn't and the testing was $50.

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when they test you, is someone actually in the room while you're peeing, watching you pee? if so, i hope i can do that, i've always been bladder and specially bowel sh, but i guess I'll do whatever I must

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Yes, you are "directly observed." When I test, I am closely observed. I tested for 18 months prior to having to be observed and it wasn't bad at all. Now, it is a true dread on days I am selected. I also have a shy bladder and it is very difficult for me to use the restroom with other's watching. I even have problems in public restrooms. However, it must be done and humility has to be dropped at the door. Luckily, I usually use the same place each time for testing and the same person always observes. That, for me, is a little more comfortable and it seems to be a little easier that way.

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Guess I'm weired but I go in and talk about anything fishing riding motorcycles, going to the beach football and it helps me. It is no different in my mind than hitting the bathroom full of drunks at a bar, or football game. I just do my business and get out.

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I am on the NCBON IP and am wondering if anyone knows what Option 1 and 4 are testing for...It seems option 1 tests for ethanol, is the the infamous ETG test?

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Not positive, but I believe that Option 1 is the full medical professional panel plus ethanol. You can go the Quest Diagnostics website or use Goole to look up what is included in the medical professional panel. There are 12 drug categories tested for in that. To my understanding, Option 1 does not include EtG testing. I think Option 2 is the EtG with creatinine test. This is based on my own personal research into what is being tested for, and not factual information. Quest nor the board will tell you what is included in the testing options. The old LabCorp COC's which were used until this past January had the test numbers beside the options, and you could look up what was being tested. Unforunately, that's not the case with Quest.

I'm not sure what Option 4 is. I've only gotten Option 1 and Option 2 when I have been selected, and I've tested for several years. Think back to what you told the board were your drugs of choice, and that may be what Option 4 is testing for if it's not included in the basic 12 panel plus ethanol test (medical professional panel).

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My thought exactly! I would never approach this without an attorney if I had it to do over. It is what I tell anyone who asks regarding this subject. I requested monitoring after a medical dx made it clear I would at some point not pass a ua. I have never had a problem and now all of a sudden they are riding me and wanting me to do all this "extra" education.

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been in tpapn now for 17 and a half months ... not worrying bout being positive for anything been clean and sober.. but this just recently happened to me... 2 weeks ago i tested negative but my urine was dilute.. cause i naturally drink coffee and have a bowl of cereal in the morning at work plus water cause when i show up to the lab the lab techs expect you to be ready to pee for the urine collection.. this is my second dilute urine since ive been in the program.. my case manager sends me an email stating that if i have one more dilute urine it will be considered a positive.. i was like ***!! also she stated that i was required to see a renal specialist for a renal eval and she expected the results in 2 weeks... FML!!! after i have been complying with this program.. they expect me to jump through more hoops!!! so now i stopped drinking coffee and now limiting my water intake on test days.. saw my doctor and had labs drawn last friday(8-12). saw her again this past friday(8-19) they faxed the results to my case manager..dont know why she needs my lab but ok..find out what happens this monday im sure everything will be alright.. but damn i would hate to get dismissed cause of drinking too much water.. frrrreakin ridiculous... if ANYBODY out there .has gone through this ... reply or PM me...

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i too have had a dilute urine- & initially made me feel almost as bad as a positive test :crying2:. so after that i made sure that after coffee in the a.m., i had no more caffeine & had a good meal before testing, with only non-caffeinated drink. pain in the keester, but it's what i have to do. the labs they wanted were to prove that your kidneys work okay, & the dilute was not a result of a kidney problem. best of luck! & congrats on almost being through with the program!!

:yeah:

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8505U of Fortes Labs?

Thanks! :dncgbby::dncgbby::dncgbby:

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