I haven't been around here for a really long time. Had the baby, returned to work, and 3 days later was told my job was being eliminated. Jobs in my field tend to be few and far between, especially in this economy... so after deciding I did not want to be a SAHM I went into turbo job hunting mode. The baby is in daycare, so that I could job interview, but I couldn't keep her there indefinitely on one income, nor could I pull her and ever expect a potential employer to be willing to wait 3 months for me (standard daycare wait list in my area). Stressful time, but just like week I received a "dream job" offer. Which is where my question comes in.

My band is, and always has been, tight enough that I cannot pass pills. This means that for pain relief, it's liquid Tylenol or grin & bear it. And admittedly I kept my post-op hydrocodone elixir on hand (not from my band surgery, but from my fall 2007 gall bladder removal), because I get sinus headaches and there are some that liquid Tylenol can't touch. My rule is that I try 3 doses of Tylenol, and if that does nothing, I take a half-dose or dose of my liquid gold hydrocodone. I don't take it lightly because I have such a little amount left!

The new dream job is contingent on passing a follicle drug test that includes screening for hydrocodone, and I had a killer sinus headache about a week ago and finally broke down and took 1 dose without even thinking about it. I didn't even Bbut now I'm completely freaking out because I happened to notice that my prescription expired almost a year ago.

The significance of that? My drug test will surely come back positive for the synthetic opiate from Hydrocodone. They do a 3 month test, and I've taken it for sure once, maybe twice (first time would've been a half dose). So I'm assuming they will ask me to provide a prescription, which I can do -- I still have the original bottle & it still has elixir in it, but the rx is expired and I don't know if an expired rx will be "valid". That has me completely flipping out because I don't want to look like a guilty drug abuser for taking an expired rx, nor do I want to lose this job... it's perfect.

So anyone out there do drug testing, or know about it, who can advise on this situation? Nothing like a way around it, just maybe what I can expect in terms of outcome. Does the expired state of the medication matter a whole lot? Of course I plan to fully disclose what I took and the estimated amount... and will fully disclose my band and purpose for taking elixirs.. but is this HORRIBLE, or not a big deal? Freaking out here, but want honest input.

Thanks!

This is just my opinion, but if you explain the situation, and show the date on the bottle, you should be okay. A drug abuser doesn't take 2 years to finish off a bottle of hydrocodone.

Hopefully, someone will come along with more information. Good luck on the new job!

I agree that your Rx is your Rx and there is no law saying how long it must take you to finish a bottle. I wouldn't even point out that I knew it was expired. Please keep us posted and best wishes.

Mimi

Hey Wheet! Great to get a bit of an update from you. Congrats on the baby! Hope all is well and it must be or you wouldn't be seeking gainful employment.

Have no clue about drug testing, so I can't help you there. But I do hope it goes well for you and you get the job!

I totally agree with Mimi - don't act defensive, just state the facts: 1.) You have a lap-band and can't take pills for pain 2.) It was your Rx to use for pain as needed. I agree with Donna too, if you had a drug abuse problem, that bottle of pain killer would have been polished off a long time ago!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, and please keep us posted!