TPAPN nurse, positive drug test-

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In need of so much support and information from fellow Tpapn nurses. I have been on Tpapn for 18 months, no problems, take only prescribed meds per dr. (Celexa, relpax, lasix, and phenergan PRN for migraines, hydroxyzine for severe allergic reaction to the sun.) my drug screen came back positive for temezapam, which I have not taken. I asked for my split specimen to be retested by an outside lab, as I know I did not take any form of benzo's. my case manager was not very helpful, in fact, I called about the positive before they even knew it existed. I was told by my CM, that unless I say that I took the drug, I cannot continue in the program. I am self reported to Tpapn. Pending the second test, I have been suspended from work and am at risk of losing my job. I do not know where to go from here. From what Tpapn CM tells me, false positives, do not exist in their system.

Anyone else have a similar experience with false positives...

Thanks

Specializes in HH.

Hello, I’m so glad to read others comments with the same feelings I have about this program & went through essentially same situation. I was supposed to be in the program for 1 year with 6 months of job monitoring. My cases manger was amazing, however she ended up quitting & I got the most rude, non empathetic man CM ever (in my opinion). He was extremely rude & condescending while I had an ulcer bleed & had been in hospital. It was just a disaster. Then I got a false drug test for phentermine! I was so sickly skinny at the time due to my GI issues it was almost laughable that I would or could possibly take that!! I was on weight gainer supplements. My GI doctor had recently prescribed amitriptyline & I read that can cause positives, however they wouldn’t hear of it. I offered to go back & take any test they wanted. He instead had a strange doctor from the program call me to tell me there couldn’t be a false positive. My CM then told me I was kicked out of the program & referred back to the board!! I’m beyond depressed because all I wanted to do was get through it, then I got kicked out over something I absolutely did not take. Now it’s in the BON hands & I have no idea which avenue to take. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

14 hours ago, Mar8 said:

Hello, I’m so glad to read others comments with the same feelings I have about this program & went through essentially same situation. I was supposed to be in the program for 1 year with 6 months of job monitoring. My cases manger was amazing, however she ended up quitting & I got the most rude, non empathetic man CM ever (in my opinion). He was extremely rude & condescending while I had an ulcer bleed & had been in hospital. It was just a disaster. Then I got a false drug test for phentermine! I was so sickly skinny at the time due to my GI issues it was almost laughable that I would or could possibly take that!! I was on weight gainer supplements. My GI doctor had recently prescribed amitriptyline & I read that can cause positives, however they wouldn’t hear of it. I offered to go back & take any test they wanted. He instead had a strange doctor from the program call me to tell me there couldn’t be a false positive. My CM then told me I was kicked out of the program & referred back to the board!! I’m beyond depressed because all I wanted to do was get through it, then I got kicked out over something I absolutely did not take. Now it’s in the BON hands & I have no idea which avenue to take. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

I’d get a nurse attorney (TAANA.org) and get them to help ASAP. They will probably hair follicle test you to prove your innocence.

Specializes in HH.

Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m struggling financially, but will have to find a way to hire an attorney.

Hi! I am going through the SAME thing right now. I had a false positive for THC- I did not use any drugs. I have been 100% clean for 3 years- in fact, I’m almost finished the program. I have been fighting to prove my innocence to no avail and the board is not hearing it. As soon as I found out about the positive, I rushed to a lab and paid $300 for a hair test- which was negative. The board isn’t accepting that result! I contacted an attorney- he says he can help me. I am beyond devastated. My life has been turned upside down. I have followed my contract for 3 years- never once had any issue. In fact, I was a few months away from being finished. I can’t believe this is happening. I have never felt so defeated in my life.

Specializes in HH.

I’m so very sorry to hear that!! That’s so awful!! That’s so crazy they won’t accept the negative hair follicle test!! I completely feel the same way..defeated. I’ve even contemplated trying a different career because this just gets so extremely overwhelming & expensive. All for nothing!

I am considering a new career as well, which totally breaks my heart. So where are you in the process? Did you get an attorney? I also wanted to add I had the MRO review as well & they said the same as yours did. I’m so sorry you’re going through this too.

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