I went last week to take a Drug test to start my program next week. I have migraines/Tension headaches which I generally take Excedrin for, but sometimes its not enough. The Dr. prescribes a very weak dosage of Esgic plus for those times. The day before the drug test was one of those headache days. Anyway, when I went in I took the prescription bottle with me to show them. The man doing the test said he couldn't look at it or make note of it because of hippa laws which are there to protect my privacy.
Last night about 5:30 pm I am coming in from a very stressful, long day and guess what was on my answering machine. A message from someone at the drug testing company stating their was a problem with my drug test and to call them. By the time I got home my TEENAGERS had already heard the message, and wanted to know why I had failed my drug test, and what drugs I was doing. To make matters even worse my parents were there too wanted to know the exact same thing.
I call the guy, and he informs me that my prescription Esgic plus was found, and I say "Yes, I have a prescription for that". He told me to rip of the label for the medication, and fax it to him. I don't have a fax at home, and by the time the local fax place was already closed.
Today I went to the fax place to fax, and when I got back the Dean of the nursing program had called. He leaves a message stating that he had word that my drug test had come back +, and wanted to get a report from me.
I called him and left a message, and called his secretary and explained everything. They were not made aware that it was a prescription drug, and that I was faxing in proof. I called the drug testing place back, and they said the fax was received, and they would verify it with the
pharmacy then they would change my test results to -, and all would be fine.
So here I am with a days worth of phone calls, frustration, and the added gasoline, and fax expense. More important how did this protect my privacy? My whole family was basically informed that I failed a drug test, but not given the details why. Would it not have been easier, cheaper, kinder, less frustrating, and protected my privacy a LOT more if they would have just made note of this when I took the test.
I don't want to make a big deal of this with my new professors, dean or fellow students. I also don't want to call up the drug testing place and vent after all they have my urine (and future) in their hands. I just needed to vent. Its the very beginning and this had left a VERY bad taste in my mouth.
