I tested positive for meth in my seventh month of pregnancy and again
at delivery -- My infant daughter also tested positive at birth. My
baby was brought to my room and left until ready to leave the
hospital.  At that point, DEFACS appeared and told me I could not
leave the hospital with my infant.  My mother accepted custody and
took the baby home.  This was in October of 2005. I did not take meth
and would not have jepordized my child in any way.

I had a very difficult pregnancy, with a lot of bed rest. My OB saw me
every two weeks, and the fetus was monitored by Maternal Fetal, who
specialize in high risk pregnancies.  I was on pain medication
throughout my pregnancy; but had weaned myself off enough that the
baby was not born addicted.
  
For three years prior to my pregnancy, I had suffered with cronic pain
and fatigue.  I was eventually diagnosed with acute fibromyalgia.
During this period I was also diagnosed with Hep C.  I saw a liver
specialist at Emory who said that I will always test positive for Hep
C, but will not require treatment.  He discribed it as my body
"remembering" having the disease without ever really having it.  When
fatigued or sick, I have mild symptoms such as jaundice.

I have noticed that when very tired or ill, I test positive for meth. 
Other tests have been fine.  I may go weeks without a positive and
then suddenly get one.  DEFACS uses 6 panel urine tests. However, I
also failed a 9 panel test. I find myself in a court ordered drug
program, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, my infant is almost 8 months
old and being raised by my mother.

DEFACS stated in court that my other children (two) are extremely well
adjusted and not deprived in any way. I have unlimited access to them.

Can Hep C cause false positive meth results?  Is there any respected
medical research that proves or disproves this?  Is there any way to
prove I do not/have not take methanphedimine?

---

Clarification of Question by dunagan2b-ga on 03 Jul 2006 15:42 PDT

I need any information available as soon as possible -- Please help!!

Hello dunagan2b~

According to Norchem Lab, the following often cause false positives in
methamphetamine screenings:

* Ephedrine
* Fenfluramine
* Phenmetrazine
* Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
* Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
* Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)
* Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
* Phentermine
* Propranolol
* Bupropion
* Mahuang Tea (or tea made from plants in the ephedra family)

(Norchemlab: http://www.norchemlab.com/factsheets/amphe_metha.pdf )


The following should be added to the list:

* Desoxyephedrine
* Nyquil, Contact, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, and other similar cold medications
* Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu
* Over-the-counter diet aids like Dexatrim, Accutrim
* Over-the-counter nasal sprays (like Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
* Asthma medications (like Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets)
* Prescription medications (like Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe,
Morazone, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine,
dexfenfluramine, dexdenfluramine, Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb,
methoxyphenamine, phentermine, amineptine, Pholedrine,
hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex,
fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine,
methphenidate, Ritalin, pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl,
Eldepryl, Famprofazone)

("Methamphetamine and Drug Tests," Erowid:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/meth/meth_testing.shtml )


Many of these drugs are found in a variety of medications. For another
list of things that affect meth tests, see "Methamphetamine Drug
Testing Facts:" http://www.ipassedmydrugtest.com/_methamphetamine_drug_test_kits.asp

Please also note that it's not just medications that may affect drug
testing, but natural, herbal remedies and vitamin supplements, as
well. In addition, diabetes, kidney, and liver problems may cause
false positives, so it's prudent to bring this up with your MD.

Not only may your MD test you, discovering a previously unrecognized
medical condition, but your MD should be able to tell you if any
medications, vitamins, or other remedies you've been taking might be
on the list of things that causes false positives for meth use.

Best wishes,
Kriswrite

RESEARCH STRATEGY:
"false positives" meth

When you get your next drug test or are told of the results ask if a
confirmation was done on the sample.  If it was only screened as
positive and never confirmed by an alternate methodology you should
think about filing a suit against whoever did all this to you.  Many
things can screen as positive as your answer said.  However it failed
to give you some sort of action to take.  Ask for your next test to be
screened and then confirmed by gc/ms.  Gc/ms confirmations are 100
percent reliable and can hold up in a court of law.  A screening
should never be taken as a true positive.  Never never never i can't
stress this enough.  It is my job to confirm samples.  If you had a
gc/ms confirmation and it was positive i would say you did the drug. 
It is nearly impossible to fail a confirmation with anything else. 
Unless the data is interpreted by someone who has no idea what they
are doing.  If that is the case start a suit against them, ask to be
shown the data and find a lawyer who knows something about
chromatography and spectroscopy.  Honestly only you know if you did
the drugs or not for sure.  If you did and you were only screened
positive you could still make a case that it was a false positive.  A
screening can't tell if you were doing something else that just showed
up that way.  A gc/ms confirmation can.  If you did the drug and
failed a confirmation don't bother taking it up in court.  Because
when a jury sees the data and is taught even briefly the principle
behind this stuff there is no doubt involved.