I've been accepted into a nursing program here in Portland, OR, and am a little nervous about the drug test. I have had HIV for over 20 years and, while in perfect health, I take Marinol ( pot in a pill) nightly to counter the effects of Atrilpla. It doesn't give me a high or a thrill, it just settles my stomach and keeps me from having dreams that disturb my sleep. If/when I test positive, will showing my prescription to the school be enough to clear my name, or is there a chance that I will be discriminated against due to the HIV? Is Marinol considered an acceptable reason to test positive? It's not like medical marijuana, in that there is no smoking involved. I have drug tested previously for jobs in different fields, with a positive result, and showing my prescription has always sufficed, but I am unsure as to how this would work for nursing school and nursing in general. I'm afraid to go to the school and disclose my HV status, as I really don't know if the HIV will stigmatize me, but I will need to disclose the Marinol use if the test is positive. Disclosing Marinol use to counteract Atripla side-effects is tantamount to disclosure of my HIV infection, as Artipla is only used for HIV infection, and I assume that nurses and nursing teachers know this. I've worked long and hard to get here and can't imaging having to step away from my dreams due to a prescription. Would it be better to lay off the Marinol till after the test and, if so, how long should I go without it to ensure a negative test. Any feedback is welcomed!
If/when I test positive will showing my prescription to the school be enough to clear my name, or is there a chance that I will be discriminated against due to the HIV? Is Marinol considered an acceptable reason to test positive? [/quote']
You don't have to wait until you test positive. When I went in for my draw, they asked if there were any meds that should be disclosed in the event of a positive or flagged result.
No idea what the regulations are in your state/your school, but just wanted to say that in any case, if they discriminate against you for your HIV status, they DO NOT belong in nursing. I am an instructor, and this would not even be a concern for me. Good luck to you in any case.
Is it possible to switch from Marinol to something else?
I know it's risky altering a regime that's working. However the hassle of this might outweigh the risk ....including the real possibility of loss of confidentiality and discrimination (no matter what employers might tell you)
Is it possible to switch from Marinol to something else?
I know it's risky altering a regime that's working. However the hassle of this might outweigh the risk ....including the real possibility of loss of confidentiality and discrimination (no matter what employers might tell you)
Best wishes to you
I disagree with this. Even the thought of it. We are taught as nurses that when a patient has a regime that's working not to mess with it. Certainly we ourselves are no different?!
OP, if I were in your shoes, I would get a note from my doctor, and disclose the medication to the drug testing facility. I would also see if the drug testing facility will discuss the specifics of your test with the school. In theory, why would it matter what they find in your test as long as you can prove that it is a prescription medication approved by your doctor?
I am not in a progressive state, indeed far from it, but I cannot imagine discrimination happening at my school based on HIV status. I know that it happens, I'm not naive, but at some point you have to give people the benefit of the doubt and give them a chance. I think it will be difficult to go through an entire nursing program, working that closely with fellow students and instructors, and not have this information be found out. I realize that's different than just straight up disclosing it right off the bat, but it may be a reality that others will know anyway.
Thanks for the input. Another big question I have is whether Marinol is considered medical marijuana or if smoking is the focus of the medical use of pot. I know that Marinol is THC only, without the cannabanoids, so it may or may not be considered "marijuana." Either way, you are probably right...a pos test is a pos test, and that's a big chance to take. Any ideas on how long I should go without Marinol to test negative?[/quote']
You could be right, I'm not sure if Marinol is treated differently than medical marijuana....it might be. I just know that it has been ruled in courts that employers CAN "discriminate" against users of medical marijuana (with the actual cannabanoids), even if they have a medical marijuana card.
Here it goes, my son is from your area. He is HIV+ and uses Marrinol. He was in a BSN program. What he did was be honest before the testing so that he would not look suspect. He disclosed his status and was not discriminated againest. He is now a nurse, so good luck!
I disagree with this. Even the thought of it. We are taught as nurses that when a patient has a regime that's working not to mess with it. Certainly we ourselves are no different?!
OP, if I were in your shoes, I would get a note from my doctor, and disclose the medication to the drug testing facility. I would also see if the drug testing facility will discuss the specifics of your test with the school. In theory, why would it matter what they find in your test as long as you can prove that it is a prescription medication approved by your doctor?
I am not in a progressive state, indeed far from it, but I cannot imagine discrimination happening at my school based on HIV status. I know that it happens, I'm not naive, but at some point you have to give people the benefit of the doubt and give them a chance. I think it will be difficult to go through an entire nursing program, working that closely with fellow students and instructors, and not have this information be found out. I realize that's different than just straight up disclosing it right off the bat, but it may be a reality that others will know anyway.
Good luck to you!
Why should the OP risk others finding out ? It needn't be difficult going through a program and keeping this confidential.
The sticky point is the Marinol.
If the OP finds that he/she remains stable and well on an alternate med .....then life as a nursing student and nurse will be much easier....no explaining the issue to nursing schools and state nursing boards
There is nothing sticky about a Marinol perscription. Like OxyContin, Marinol is a FDA approved drug and is perfectly legal to take (provided a valid Rx).
Comparing Marinol and pot is like comparing OxyContin and heroin. Apples and organges, as far as the law is concerned.
EDIT: I'll add, it still may hurt you, however, that you're regularly taking a "narcotic." I'd still contact your school and BON to see where they stand on those things.
Here it goes, my son is from your area. He is HIV+ and uses Marrinol. He was in a BSN program. What he did was be honest before the testing so that he would not look suspect. He disclosed his status and was not discriminated againest. He is now a nurse, so good luck!
1) Do not wait to test positive before showing your prescription info; it just makes you look shady after-the-fact. Where I live prescription info is required prior to te test so it can be recorded.
2) You don't have to disclose your HIV status. Your prescription and/or a letter from your MD simply stating that you take xyz drug and are under his care is enough. No one has to disclose specifics for why they take a med when under the continued care of a physician.
I'd simply take my MD letter to the testing site & give it to them before the test. Problem solved. Non-HIV+ ppl take the same dru everyday.
As for the poster who said you'd have to prove you're not smoking marijuana; it's actually the accusatory body who has the burden of proof. They have to prove that you are indeed smoking marijuana. I doubt it'll be an issue, b/c no one really wants to be involved in the legalities of it all. Just make sure that if your school requires you to disclose the med as pertinent health info (like when they ask about mental illness, etc), non-disclosure could have repercussions for omission. Other than that it's "don't ask, don't tell"
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AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP
631 Posts