Yes, ladies and gentlemen. I was checking my results on affinity and my last test result is positive for alcohol. The problem is, I didn't drink. The only thing I can think might have caused it was some lemon tahini dressing at a vegetarian restaurant I ate at the night before. I've had the same dressing in the past and never had a problem.
The killer in all this is that I am due to complete monitoring in four days. Yes.
Never had any positives during monitoring, nothing but a dilute specimen. I'm not drinking, not using, nothing. And bing.
*Sigh*
I haven't heard from my case manager yet. I'm trying to stay calm and think. Stick to my routine and not worry. I know I do have options, I just can't believe this. After everything I have done, all the scrupulous watching everything I do, eat, drink, and walking on eggshells...BUT we will just wait and see.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and hanging in there with me.
Still waiting for word on a decision that was supposedly coming today.This is the second time I have been told something that hasn't materialized. My contract has expired and I haven't been told it has been extended, nor have I signed an extension.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
UPDATE: They're sending my u/a off for an Etg.
I'm a bit taken aback that this was NOT an Etg, and that I wasn't asked much earlier. This was a urine alcohol and drug test that popped up positive. This increases the likelihood that there won't be a reason for my contract to not be completed successfully.
This is so strange. For the entirety of my contract I had thought I'd had an occasional Etg because of the price of the test. Hmmm.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Positive alcohol could be from mishandling, more likely. Especially if it was sitting in the heat for a while before it was picked up to be processed.
I was told our program tested for Etg. They haven't tested for it since, like, 2008.
Thinking of you!
The facts that my testing place does not refrigerate the specimens, sends them usps, and temps have been in the 80s and 90s are the first things that come to mind.
I know my program does do etgs because I have read recent proceedings of others in BON notes. I'm just surprised this wasn't done last week.
That totally sucks. We cannot read every single label. What happens if we eat out. OMG. It would only be fair that they retest. I am so sorry. Keep us updated. Does vinegar or lemon give false positive tests? I use vinegar when I cook and lemon too?
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
That totally sucks. We cannot read every single label. What happens if we eat out. OMG. It would only be fair that they retest. I am so sorry. Keep us updated. Does vinegar or lemon give false positive tests? I use vinegar when I cook and lemon too?
Not sure about lemon, unless it would be an extract flavoring containing alcohol. I use either fresh lemon or lemon juice. Vinegar is another story. I've heard mixed reports of some of the better balsamic vinegars being alcohol free, but others say even that isn't totally safe.
I try to be careful when I eat out. Up until now I haven't had any problems. At this point I'm not sure if it was the Lemon Tahini dressing or improper specimen handling.
You're right about reading labels though. I still say I'm willing to read labels and will do my due diligence, but there's always the possibility that I might miss something. For me, staying clean isn't about locking myself up in the closet with water and Saltines. It is about awareness, opening myself to a larger world, enjoying the space that doesn't have to include substances. Its about experiencing things, including going out to eat. There, I will take reasonable precautions such as avoiding obvious things like dishes cooked in wine or beer (no, all the alcohol isn't cooked out) and most sauces. Some fermented stuff like Reuben sandwiches I've not had problems with, and that contains sauerkraut. The restaurant I eat out at the most is vegetarian. Some of their stuff is cooked with alcohol, most isn't. I was able to pinpoint the possible ingested substance that might be the cause of the positive screen because I don't eat out that much (my husband and I like knowing exactly what is in our food so we eat at home unless we are traveling) and I remember eating that Lemon Tahini dressing the night before I was selected to test.
It all sounds like a crapshoot. But there ARE other causes. That's why I readily agreed to the further testing, without fear.
If I could define one big takeaway with all this monitoring program business, it is LIVING WITHOUT FEAR. Yes, we CAN learn to live without fear, without acquiescence, without selling our souls or knuckling under. Sometimes doing that dance within the defined conditions of stipulations and Probation is like walking on razor wire but it is doable.
It could be many things that had caused the positive, most common is diabetes. A couple of nurses were recently diagnosed with diabetes from positive alcohol urine test. They further sent the test immediately for etg and it was negative.
You have done nothing wrong with the items you ate. I used to drive myself crazy trying to figure out why I tested positive. I know of individuals that cook with wine and etoh and never have a false positive.
I had to cancel a group vacation to europe when I first tested positive for etg, level of 250. The cutoff now is 500 and would be considered negative. It was with my friends to celebrate my wedding anniversary, my husband went and I went to a 2nd rehab.
Back in 2006 the test was new.
Most individuals will never have a false positive. Actually the etg test might help your case, if negative.
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
You know when you find a good book and just can't set it down because you HAVE to see what happens next? After reading this each next page I hit brought me closer and closer to the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting for the I'M CLEARED ending. The patience that you are able to execute going through this is admirable. Although I haven't been rooting for you since day one, I have since page one and I hope you are able to enjoy your delayed celebration soon! Thoughts and prayers for you SororAKS
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
You know when you find a good book and just can't set it down because you HAVE to see what happens next? After reading this each next page I hit brought me closer and closer to the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting for the I'M CLEARED ending. The patience that you are able to execute going through this is admirable. Although I haven't been rooting for you since day one, I have since page one and I hope you are able to enjoy your delayed celebration soon! Thoughts and prayers for you SororAKS
LOL I'm a reader so I can appreciate this. Perhaps my life would fall into the alternately Comic and Tragic category with moments of Sublimity...The Magical Mystery Tour might be a good title.
I appreciate your support. Am hoping for a quick Etg result and quicker completion to my contract.
Sooooo get more popcorn folks. Turn the page, and start a new chapter.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
It could be many things that had caused the positive, most common is diabetes. A couple of nurses were recently diagnosed with diabetes from positive alcohol urine test. They further sent the test immediately for etg and it was negative.
You have done nothing wrong with the items you ate. I used to drive myself crazy trying to figure out why I tested positive. I know of individuals that cook with wine and etoh and never have a false positive.
I had to cancel a group vacation to europe when I first tested positive for etg, level of 250. The cutoff now is 500 and would be considered negative. It was with my friends to celebrate my wedding anniversary, my husband went and I went to a 2nd rehab.
Back in 2006 the test was new.
Most individuals will never have a false positive. Actually the etg test might help your case, if negative.
Gabby
Initially, programs saw this as a magic bullet type test, even though Dr. Skipper has repeatedly said that should not be the case. Thankfully these days they are at least aware of the downfalls and are willing to retest as well as using it as only a part of an entire clinical and behavioral picture.
But while they were learning, it was indeed a rough ride.
I was actually glad when my caseworker asked if I could pay for additional testing. I said H**** yes I will, how much do you need...turns out to be 25.00.
SororAKS, ADN, RN
720 Posts
Aaaaannnnnddddd.....still waiting.