Ultram cost me my new dream job

mattsmom81 · Jan 25, 2004

Originally posted by KELLYGIRL
I feel like such a fool. I am kicking myself. Please listen to this advice so you won't make the same mistake that I have.

About 2 weeks ago, I was working and my right hip was hurting from being on my feet. I couldn't take a step with my right foot without the sharp piercing pain. A coworker gave me an Ultram she said "for arthritic pain". Thinking I did the right thing by looking it up quickly in the drug guide, I saw that it wasn't a controlled substance and I took it.

The other day I interviewed for my dream job... took a urine drug test and found out today that it was positive for tramadol.

I'm so furious! It's all my fault for thinking that little pill wouldn't hurt. I was so damn desperate to take something to help ease the pain. This sux!!!

I'm sure you won't make this mistake because we are all told not to take other people's meds. I was just trying to finish off a double shift. Never will I make this mistake again. Never:devil: !!!

I'm sorry this happened to you. Facilities are wary of nurses who take painkillers. Sad isn't it...we have arthritis partly due to our workloads over the years, yet when we try to get treatment we may be seen as a 'risk' to the facility.(if they find out...and drug screens are a way they find out)

Ultram is a commonly prescribed drug now for arthritis pain yet it will quite likely disqualify us from a nursing job. Covertly if not overtly. I stick to my NSAIDS because of that. I don't trust my employer's response.

I hope you find out the cause of this pain and get it treated.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2004

Wow. I've been prescribed Ultram and take it daily and it doesn't help!

I continue to take it because I feel I have to do something for my chronic back pain (on the job injury, nursing of course).

Sorry this happened to you.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2004

I'm so sorry.

Thanks for sharing, I didn't know they screened for Ultram. What a bummer.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jan 25, 2004

That is too weird.

I had taken two Lortabs one day for a migraine and the next day got called in for a drug test for a new job.

I told them I had taken Lortab and she said it wouldn't show up unless it was a huge amount, and I guess it didn't show up, because nothing was ever said and I got the job.

Wonder why some places use such sensitive tests and others dont'? Do some look for any amount of any drug, and others look for "abusive" amounts, or what????

MiaLyse, APRN · Jan 25, 2004

I had taken two Lortabs one day for a migraine >>

What is good for a migraine that won't make you tired and doesn't containe caffeine? I tried the Excedrin migraine but got jittery from the caffeine. I haven't had one in two years and now they are starting again. *sigh

Kelly

dragonfly954 · Jan 25, 2004

Another agency nurse( where we both have been contracted for a long period of time in the same facility) had some family problems and ended up being drug tested.drugs were an issue for a family member,but not for her.right after this incident ,I had a call at home from the facility(not the agency) asking me if i was on any narcotics out of the blue;she said it was rumored that i was on opiates.News to me :devil: She refused to tell me who and why.I asked if there was some type of med error,did someone die,reasonable concern to be asking me this?no response.Called the agency pronto.No one knew anything about it.It turns out that administration assumed because one person's family member got in trouble and our children associate together,we were all guilty!she assumed that because of my health concerns,i musy be on narcotics for pain.all the nurses were really busy with that one.I made a loud announcement to the entire change of shift that i was not on any drugs and posted my drug test results on the bulletin board for all to see.that rumor went away fast.i didn't mind being tested at all:it was just how everyone else discussed it and i had no clue.So a word to the wise:be careful what you take because one never knows when it will come back to haunt someone.thank goodness i only have a few more weeks on this contract.

live4today, RN · Jan 25, 2004

The key with taking drug test is to make sure you are totally honest about what medications you are taking on a scheduled basis and a prn basis--------even down to the OTC aspirin, tylenol, motrin, and all allergy medications.

As long as what you take is reported and listed BEFORE the drugscreening, you are protected. It's what they find in the urine that is NOT reported by you PRIOR to the drugscreening. :nurse:

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2004

Ultram did not cost you the job - taking an unauthorized painkiller did.

On several jobs, while I was on pain meds, I have been drug tested. As I had a legal script, there was no problem with taking the jobs.

If you are going to be drug tested, it is in your interest to be upfront about what you are taking. Otherwise, you will look guilty and may get reported to the Board. And be upfront about everything,even "legal" diet and congestion meds.

vemiliob · Jan 25, 2004

Dear kellygirl,

Forgive my impertinence but as you have probably seen we use to engage ourselves in discussions that touch us personally.

I'd like to live in the same Location you do...(Just kidding!) Further more, this crazy world would be less crazy if more people lived in such place.

The day before yesterday I passed my interview with the Chief, in what I could say is my "little local dream job". I went to it after my night shift dressed with my uniform and "she wanted me to start already!" My goodness! Of course, if I pass the medical exams. (she added).

Just a week ago I passed my second yearly job-insurance test, that included

Spinal cord RX, sight and blood-urine-saliva test for drugs.

I don't complain, on my 47 I'm really healthy. Only two accidents hurting my back in ten years, once at ER receiving a fatty woman from the paramedics, and another working as paramedic during a local storm. On the first one I injected myself "Crono 12" (diclophenac + a strong corticoid) in my external-vastus that allowed me to finish my shift. The second time I asked my co to inject a mix of opium derivate + ibuprofen IV, during my next two shifts, with unfortunately, too little dilution. I burned my two best veins (although I could bear my shift till the end).

I used to play sports from my very childhood with a relative continuity and by the way I found that in those periods where a trained with overload, my job-performance became really alleviated of any kind of pain and injuries.

So, now I try to keep a regular daily light training adding at least three weekly days of overload-work at a gym, instead of thinking in using painkillers.

At the end,it is less expensive, more funny, and I look really... "sexy".

Just try it, I recommend it!

:cool:

KELLYGIRL · Jan 26, 2004

When HR called me, she said "When I had you sign the authorization for the drug screen, I made a mistake and didn't ask you to list any medications on the sheet. Your drug screen came back positive and I don't know what it is positive for. Have you taken any meds, vitamins, or herbs that may show up on this drug screen?". I told her everything.

I can't re-apply there for a year.

Now I am trying to flush out my body with gallons of water. I will never make this stupid mistake again!

I wonder how long it will take for this to get out of my system???

Does anyone have a clue???

Gldngrl · Jan 26, 2004

At my facility, they did not want to know the list of meds upon urine screening. Only if the urine screen comes back positive, does the laboratory call and request a list of meds....interesting how things differ in places. I never even had a drug screen test until I moved to the South.