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Drug test

Old 08-29-2010 | 07:31 PM
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Default Drug test

I recently suffered from severe back spasm. I was prescribed valium and vicodine for the severe pain. But I do not want to take them in fear that it may show in a drug test. At the current time I am not flying as I am suppose to start ground school. Will this show in a drug test? And if I had a prescription is it ok to take them?
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Old 08-29-2010 | 08:06 PM
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You say you're starting ground school soon, is it with an ALPA carrier?

Even though you're not in yet, ALPA's aeromedical may still be able to help with any information as far as medication and other pertinent information goes.

I had an issue with prescription med recently and they were able to tell what I needed to know. Again, depending on where you're staring groundschool at, they may have an in house aeromedical staff as well.

I believe that AOPA may offer a similar service.
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Old 08-30-2010 | 12:49 AM
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Vicodine is a semi-sythetic opioid that will trigger a NIDA 5. The normal routine is you take the test, it comes up positive, they test the split sample, it comes up positive, the MRO calls, you show the prescription, you're in the clear as long as you haven't been flying. Given that you're talking a pre-employment test and the goal of new hires is to be invisible, I cann't tell you what to do.

I'm not an MD, my info comes from being on an Aeromedical committee 5 years ago. And I don't know about the Valium.
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Old 08-30-2010 | 02:31 AM
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Talk to your prescribing doc, or <insert deity here> forbid, Google and find out how long those drugs can be detected and wait til then.

Join AOPA and talk to their medical certification staff - AOPA is great. They have what they call a "Turbo" Medical that will point out any FAA triggers during a medical.

Make sure you've found the source of the spasm and that you've fixed it.

I'm not a doc, nor play one on TV. These are merely suggestions and probably don't make sense. Insert other legal boilerplate.....

Good Luck!
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