Celebrate me home!

[Guest guest]

I'm tired of feeling like a voyeur. I have been secretly participating and am only up to post #2787. Now is as good a time to come out of the closet. A couple of you know me already, Hi , Hi Lorie.

My name is Joan but for the sake of anonymity, call me Joan. This is a VERY brief synopsis of how I got here

September 28,2002 – I took Lortab from work Pyxis under someone else's patient.

September 29, 2002 – First day of sobriety

December 4, 2004 – Began California probation secondary to the fact that I had a previous action taken against my license in 1982 – also drug related.

Began working in a RN administration position away from patient care.

March 2005 met Probation Monitor (PM) and went through the stipulations of my probation.

January 2006 met with PM for the 2nd time. Was informed of the positive EtG's of 2005. Advised that this information was going to be turned over to the AG for possible revocation of my license.

January 2007 met with PM for the 3rd time. Informed of positive EtG's of 2006. Advised that this information would be turned over to the AG for possible revocation of my license.

April 2007 received 1st notification from AG regarding accusations of non-compliance with probation.

June 2007 resigned rather than be fired from a job of 18 years, a little problem with my boss, little problem with attitude and a lot of politics. The hospital had gone through 3 different ownerships. This was NOT drug related.

September 2007 consult by gastroenterologist to find etiology of positive EtG's.

October 2007 began working at another facility, same type position. The boss was aware of all of the above. Began having serum and urine alcohol levels done at same time as EtG's. All negative except EtG.

December 2007 advised of very low "poppyseed" opiate level in screen. PM threatened to remove me from job.

January 2008 notified by PM that I had 3 + Etg's in a row, in November 2007. Repeat threat of removal from job. One month continuance based on MD's request for more time to find etiology of + EtG's.

February 2008 pulled from my job by BRN for + EtG's (MD unable to figure out reason for + EtG's).

March 2008 new legal representation as my previous attorney advised me that I should surrender my license. Unemployed.

April 2008 tested for Auto Brewery Syndrome – Negative. Started on fluconazole.

Now having EtG done privately by immunoassay at same time as Compass specimen and weekly. BTW these have ALL been negative.

May 2008 administrative hearing with AG settled out of court. I received 3 more years of probation contingent on NEVER having another EtG.

Unemployable as RN, probation will not approve any positions secondary to + EtG's.

Seeking employment in same position, Quality, asking to not be hired under RN license. Still seeking.

Similarities to your stories: Drug of choice: Hydrocodone I have had 3 drinks since August 15, 1988 as I did have a little time prior to this last relapse, (inpatient for opiate dependency) Those 3 drinks were on September 28,2002. I haven't had a drink or a drug since then. I took lots of Excedrin for chronic right shoulder pain post rotator cuff repair, which I have stopped since quietly reading posts. I am on Paxil, now in process of weaning off. I have spent thousands of dollars on legal, medical and lab fees.

Life experience: PRICELESS