Cirrhosis Support Group

I am so upset because I was told my alcohol screen came out positive. This after not having a drink of any kind in almost two years, and before that I was only 1/2 glass with dinner. I did have a chemoembolization treatment the week before, and my sugar came out high for me at 170, due to the chemo. They don't seem to believe that I didn't drink and I am very, very upset and crying much of the day. This is my integrity, and my transplant could be in question. Does anyone know of anything else that can cause a false reading. My urine has been darker than usual, but otherwise labs have not changed and I feel fine. Can anyone shed some light on this? I am so very upset and don't want this part of my record as it is totally untrue. Thanks!

Usually urine test are not very expensive, I would get another test done by a reputable lab, if it comes back negative for alcholol use, them I would sumit that to your doctor.

Labs have been known to make mistakes and also get false possitive.

Good luck.

Sammy

Thanks, I know they will be testing me more frequently, but they still don't admit any possibility of lab error or remove it from my record. There must be a list of things that can cause this, if not human error.

Hey pmary!

I have heard of false positive UA in the past and can appreciate what you are feeling. I found a website that may help you understand and refute the test result. The Journal of Family Practice shows what substances could affect a certain type of UA test. Alcohol passes thru the body fairly quickly so I'm not sure that a new test will get you very far. I do think the chemoembolization is a very likely cause of the result. You definitely need to talk to your doctors about the possibilities.

pmary - I can relate to how upsetting this is....mine showed positive for morphine and hydrocodone & I don't take ANY drugs other than those prescribed (thus codeine=Tylenol #3 and Benzos=Xanax). The Transplant Evaluation Nurse Coordinator told me not worry, they have seen this happen before, & she is calling me back today. I even cheked that my name was on the urinalysis cup and every tube of blood they drew.

I recall as a Vet Tech 2 heartworm tests getting mixed up and the owners had to bring both dogs back in for 2nd blood draws since the treatment at that time was arsenic and thus potentially fatal. Human error yes, but in this day and age? Doesn't jive at all.

Dennis, the Journal of Family Practice was really helpful (had no idea vicks inhaler could produce any results and years ago I used it weekly).

Sammy - Great idea about getting re-tested at a reputable lab on my own, or an at-home kit for my own clarity and sanity. Very distressing! Keep us posted please. Ru

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/05/2012 05:27 AM

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/05/2012 05:28 AM

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/05/2012 05:46 AM

Ru,

In Federal Corrections we obviously urine test all the time. We have to as our offenders have drug conditions and we suspend release based on these tests. Tylenol 3 will come back as morphine as it is part of that family. Benzo's should show as benzo's. The hydrocodone could also be showing from the Tylenol 3 depending on the sensitivity of the test.........but if your co ordinator knows you are taking these then no problem!

Ahhh - thank you! I thought the hydrocodone might be from the Tyle #3 but I didn't know the liver converts codeine to morphine (and I call myself a Pharmacy Tech!

Even though the Nurse Coordidator knew I was prescrobed Xanax and Tylenol #3 she didn't realize this either but she said not to worry and she wanted to follow-up on it anyway. They did tell me is was a special 6-month test but in actuality it was just a urine test so that only goes back 30 days and a hair test goes back 90 days, correct? Much appreciated...Ru

The only meds I was on at time of alcohol urine test is lorazapan (to sleep). I wasn't allowed Tylenol after the chemo procedure. However, was given intrevenous antibiotic, saline solution, and anti nausea through IV which was two weeks before the urine test. Oh, and they also gave me some haldol as apparently my behavior became erratic and they couldn't keep me in bed! A doctor I saw yesterday said false/positives happen all the time; if they do, ok. I just don't like being told they are always right and there it is me that drank! It destroys my honesty and the fact I've never been a drinker and got this horrible illness from hemochromotosis and alpha1.

My daughter was prescribed an antidepressant that had alcohol in it. I didn't know you can have alcohol in a dry pill. The liver clinic replaced the scrip as soon as they saw what she was taking.

Post edited by: Virginiamom, at: 04/06/2012 01:21 PM

At Evaluation my urinalysis showed positive for Opiates, Morphine and Hydrocodone...and I was VERY upset since I do don't take unprescribed drugs. Tylenol #3 is the only pain med I take (when pain is severe - regular tylenol doesn't help me & of course none of us should take NSAIDS). So...in addition to what Marge posted about the Tyl #3 (again thanks Marg!) I wanted to share the "technical" explanation the Pharmacist gave me:

"Codeine metabolizes into morphine and norcodeine. Both of which are detected on a urine screen as well as the "unmetabolized" codeine.

Hydrocodone is a "metabolite" of codeine that "could" be detected in the urine test depending on the sensitivity of the test. I know of no test that could break down the "exact" amounts of EVERY metabolite of EACH individual opiod."

She was pretty thorough, huh? I found it helpful especially since Tyl#3 usually shows as just "opiates" and my GI doesn't want his Cirrhosis patients on Roxycodone (hydrocodone med)...yet I was positive for both. Thanks for listening! Ru

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/07/2012 07:47 PM