Diluted urine! What now?

Nurses Recovery

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I am so nervous, the lab just called.to inform me that my urine was to diluted too test. He said they had to contact the board and that he wishes me the "best of luck". What will happen now? Has anyone else gone through this? I should mention I am in the alternative to discipline program. 

Specializes in ER.
Nursejbl said:

I am so nervous, the lab just called.to inform me that my urine was to diluted too test. He said they had to contact the board and that he wishes me the "best of luck". What will happen now? Has anyone else gone through this? I should mention I am in the alternative to discipline program. 

In California, they tell you to write an essay on how you will not get another dilute test.  You can research on Google a lot of great articles on maintaining a superior hydration status to avoid dilutes. 

The following is advice I was given, I don't advise you write the following in your essay if you are assigned to write one. 

To avoid further dilute results, on the morning that I am told to test, I avoid drinking too much  fluid and I don't drink coffee.  To ensure I do not get a dilute, I have heard that people take a multivitamin 1-2 hours before testing.  I have also heard that people put a scoop of protein powder with a scoop of creatine an hour before testing, in a small amount of fluid like water or almond milk.  In California, as long as you are clean, they send dilute test urines to a specialized dilute lab test to make sure you don't have any banned substances in your system.  **This is not medical advice, make sure to check with your doctor prior to taking any new supplements or products to make sure you are not harming your health.**  Since I started following the above advice that was given to me, I have not had a dilute urine. That said, it is not a guarantee that a person who follows this regimen will avoid a dilute test result. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.

Ask to do blood tests or blood spot testing instead if you see it being a chronic issue. Test first thing in the morning bed you urinate and drink no more than 8 ounces of water.

The lab didn't say they would send out the specimen. I am in NC so I'm not sure exactly what will happen. I didn't know if they would write me up or make me do a hair / blood test. Just wanted to see what other people's experience has been. This program is so intense, its difficult to not be a anxious mess when something happens. I have been in the program since August and haven't had a dilute, so I don't think it will be a chronic thing. I drank 24oz in a two hour period and that put me over the dilute threshold. I learned my lesson for sure. I wish there was a support group of people that are in the program, it would be nice to have people who could relate.

Specializes in Psychiatry.
Nursejbl said:

The lab didn't say they would send out the specimen. I am in NC so I'm not sure exactly what will happen. I didn't know if they would write me up or make me do a hair / blood test. Just wanted to see what other people's experience has been. This program is so intense, its difficult to not be a anxious mess when something happens. I have been in the program since August and haven't had a dilute, so I don't think it will be a chronic thing. I drank 24oz in a two hour period and that put me over the dilute threshold. I learned my lesson for sure. I wish there was a support group of people that are in the program, it would be nice to have people who could relate.

This is seriously my support group.  

They send mine when it's dilute 

When yours got sent for testing the.dilute urine, did the MRO tell you what the next step was ? He basically went through my questions to answer why it was diluted and then he has an education on how to avoid it in the future. So I am just waiting to see what happens. I'll post again when I have more answers. If anyone here needs someone to talk I'd be happy to get contacts. 

I had a dilute on 1/30, I was retested 2/4, then weekly for the whole month of Feb. I'm in GA. My case manager just sent me an email saying watch the water intake, and nothing else came of it. Now, I just don't pee for at least 4 hours, limit caffeine when my app says I'm picked to test, and usually go right when I get off work (I work nights). From my paperwork, if this was a recurring issue, they would do a Pleth+ and need a letter from my PCP on why my urine was dilute consistently (meds, physical issue, etc). 

I was in the NC Alternative to Discipline program and the same thing happened to me. I was a wreck about it. Called my case manager with the board and she said not to worry about it since it was the first time it happened. If it happens multiple times they will look into it more. Needless to say a week later I got pulled for a hair test. So glad I am done with all that now.

How did they tell you that you needed to do a hair test ?? Was it through vault or did they email you? 

It was through vault and when I did my morning check on the app it said I had been pulled for a special test. Then I had to call them to find out what it was and because they send different paperwork to the lab. 

Specializes in Med surg.

OK

I really need some advise on next steps.

I was prescribed buprenorphine over 15 yrs ago for pain mgt...had a great practitioner that new I had severe fibromyalgia/arthritic pain, and with the opiated cycle being never ending, thought it was a better choice for me decided to use this.

after several months his overseer told him he could no longer prescribe it for me..that being said about 3 yrs ago my pain, now added neuropathy from being diabetic over 30 yrs started getting worse so I started purchasing it (not smart & I own that)

So now I'm at the stage of being referred to the states "counselor" and I've tried to stop it on my own, but the pain and withdrawal has been horrible. I know I have to get off of it!

my question, should I go into detox on my own and report that to the state, or just be honest with the state counselor and go from there?

any advise would be helpful and appreciated 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
Sick of nursing 101 said:

OK

I really need some advise on next steps.

I was prescribed buprenorphine over 15 yrs ago for pain mgt...had a great practitioner that new I had severe fibromyalgia/arthritic pain, and with the opiated cycle being never ending, thought it was a better choice for me decided to use this.

after several months his overseer told him he could no longer prescribe it for me..that being said about 3 yrs ago my pain, now added neuropathy from being diabetic over 30 yrs started getting worse so I started purchasing it (not smart & I own that)

So now I'm at the stage of being referred to the states "counselor" and I've tried to stop it on my own, but the pain and withdrawal has been horrible. I know I have to get off of it!

my question, should I go into detox on my own and report that to the state, or just be honest with the state counselor and go from there?

any advise would be helpful and appreciated 

Lawyer.  How were you reported to  a counselor from the state? You were taking it responsibly and the provider said no more? Too many states make you go to rehab even if you already went to rehab. A lawyer in your state who deals with this can tell you if rehab is standard in your state, no need to go twice. 

 

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