Insurance Test for Work

[QTPie]

I have a huge problem. My work now requires a blood test for various things like blood sugars, cholesterol and nicotine. The issue is that I tried to go to 0 nic and was miserable and can't do it. No throat hit etc it was killing me. I don't need much just a touch of nic to get through. I haven't smoked a regular cigarette in forever but now it still looks like I do. What do I do? Has anyone else had this? My insurance will go up and it already is crazy expensive.

 

[Moofaso]

I had the same issue. I went ahead and did the zero nic thing for 3 days before my test, and like you, I was miserable, but I did it. Then I went and had the test done. They asked me if I was a smoker before hand, I said no, and they didn't even do the cotinine test , they just wrote "non smoker" in that filed on the paperwork. I was worried because nicotine typically leaves the body within 72 hours but using a cotinine test it can be detected for a week . I am not sure what will happen, as the testing place faxed the paperwork to my insurance company. Will they demand a second test with the cotinine? I am not sure. I hope not because I don't think I can do zero nic again, I need my throat hit.

 

[Cavediver]

Have you confirmed that electronic cigarettes are counted as smoking?
What about NRTs like the patch or nic gum? If you're using those, do you still get dinged?

 

[YKruss]

If your blood nicotine level registered higher than 3ng you'd probably have some explaining to do.

Some of the urine cotinine tests may be a bit flaky but it's hard to hide a positive result when some of these tests are quite accurate - the blood test reads nic from zero to 60ng, and cotinine from zero to 800ng.

To beat a test you would need to abstain from nicotine totally for a week, and make sure to drink plenty of liquids. The residual cotinine level would fail any accurate test method for at least 4 days, and allowing for individual variations (always significant), several more days would need to be allowed.

 

[QTPie]

Have you confirmed that electronic cigarettes are counted as smoking?
What about NRTs like the patch or nic gum? If you're using those, do you still get dinged?

Yep they want a zero total. They just assume you lie and use the patch or gum just to get through the test and then go back to smoking.

 

[QTPie]

Are there any tricks to weaning down or any 0 nic that gives a throat hit?

 

[fourtytwo]

I hear menthol helps.

 

[EmeraldLeo1982]

You could try just vaping on some flavored 100% PG base at hotter temps like on a dual coil setup if you're not already. I've noticed tart fruit flavors or menthol offer better TH. Also water content in your liquid adds to TH, just be sure it's a very small percentage of distilled water or it won't vape.

 

[QTPie]

You could try just vaping on some flavored 100% PG base at hotter temps like on a dual coil setup if you're not already. I've noticed tart fruit flavors or menthol offer better TH. Also water content in your liquid adds to TH, just be sure it's a very small percentage of distilled water or it won't vape.

I don't know if it's just psychological but I just want the throat hit I get with the nic! I tried the little bit of distilled but it is still like vaping air. I used to cough like crazy when I started vaping but now anything less than 12 mg doesn't give me the hit I love. I am just going to go to no nic for 3 days before the test and lots of water. Then I will cross my fingers. I hate that I am doing something much better for me and it the equivalent of quitting smoking but it doesn't count!!!! I'm so tired of all this crap.

 

[zoiDman]

I have a huge problem. My work now requires a blood test for various things like blood sugars, cholesterol and nicotine. The issue is that I tried to go to 0 nic and was miserable and can't do it. ...

There is No Way that you can Just Suck It Up and do 0mg long enough to do your Test?

If you can Quit Smoking, I'm sure you can Endure a Little Pain to keep your Insurance from Skyrocketing.

 

[QTPie]

There is No Way that you can Just Suck It Up and do 0mg long enough to do your Test?

If you can Quit Smoking, I'm sure you can Endure a Little Pain to keep your Insurance from Skyrocketing.

OK I get your point. Thanks

 

[QTPie]

There is No Way that you can Just Suck It Up and do 0mg long enough to do your Test?

If you can Quit Smoking, I'm sure you can Endure a Little Pain to keep your Insurance from Skyrocketing.

Do you vape 0 nic?

 

[Plumes.91]

menthol helps a lot, some people add a drop or two of pure grain alcohol, and you could also try adding capsasin to your 0 nic juice. It wont be the same as nicotine but it helps. You can get capsasin e-liquid addative online. Sorry to say it, but yeah, some insurance companies are stuck in the past and they don't recognize that a person can easily quit smoking with e-cigs. They just don't accept it yet. Till its accepted a lot of the insurance comps will just think any nic replacement is a ploy to get around the test.

 

[QTPie]

menthol helps a lot, some people add a drop or two of pure grain alcohol, and you could also try adding capsasin to your 0 nic juice. It wont be the same as nicotine but it helps. You can get capsasin e-liquid addative online.

thanks I will try it. No alcohol for me. They would check for that. I am just glad that I quit smoking and so should they. Plus if you test positive they want you to do a cessation program that provides gum, patches, inhalers etc. ...?

 

[zoiDman]

OK I get your point. Thanks

I'm just saying that I think you are Stronger than you may Think. If you were trying to go from Smoking to 0mg vaping, then I would be More Concerned. Because there is Addiction to the Chemicals that BT puts in Cigarettes.

But since you said that you hadn't Smoked in awhile, I know you won't have a Problem there.

Do you vape 0 nic?

Yes. I use 0mg after 5:00pm or so. I helps me Sleep Better. I'm using up my remaining Nicotine e-Liquid and are going to go to 0mg when it is gone.

I really think that Vaping is more of a Mental Addiction vs a Chemical Dependency.

 

[zoiDman]

OK I get your point. Thanks

BTW - Do you like Cinnamon?

 

[josie wales]

Besides the throat hit, I can do 0 nic liquids no problem. Try some strong menthol 0 nic juices like MBV, Extreme Ice or Halo sub-zero. It's only a few days....you can do it!!

 

[Rickajho]

Have you confirmed that electronic cigarettes are counted as smoking?
What about NRTs like the patch or nic gum? If you're using those, do you still get dinged?

Absafreakinloutely. It's a "safe" assumption that if you are using conventional NRT: 1.) You were very recently a smoker. Actuarially speaking - they don't care. 2.) If you are using conventional NRT there is an 80 - 95% chance you will relapse anyway. Actuarially speaking...

I'm not saying I agree with the "logic" being applied. Quite frankly it's all way too Orwellian.

 

[Rickajho]

Have you confirmed that electronic cigarettes are counted as smoking?
What about NRTs like the patch or nic gum? If you're using those, do you still get dinged?

Absafreakinloutely. It's a "safe" assumption that if you are using conventional NRT: 1.) You were very recently a smoker. Actuarially speaking - they don't care. 2.) If you are using conventional NRT there is an 80 - 95% chance you will relapse anyway. Actuarially speaking...

I'm not saying I agree with the "logic" being applied. Quite frankly it's all way too Orwellian.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Yep they want a zero total. They just assume you lie and use the patch or gum just to get through the test and then go back to smoking.

That's impossible. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, squash and many other common vegetables contain nicotine. No one could register zero.

Here's a page you might find useful.

NICOU - Clinical: Nicotine and Metabolites, Urine