big presentation job meeting

I have a large presentation which is part of a job interview later
this week.  My presentation skills will be judged as to whether I
am offered the job and this scares the heck out of me
Two part question:  My dr prescribed a 5 mg valium but
I would rather not bring this up in a future drug test
1. would 2 to 3mg of valium help calm for this meeting ?
2. and would that amount  ( I weigh 215 lbs)  flunk me on
a drug test 3 to 7 days later ???
Thank you

[greenlydia]

Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety or panic in the past? Is your fear of public speaking the "garden variety" that nearly all of us have?
If your job is going to entail presentations on a regular basis, it would be far better for you to learn to deal with your fears naturally rather than rely on drugs to get you through them.

If you decide to use the diazepam (Valium) for the interview............and please know that I am not judging you...........if you are not use to taking this medication, I would highly suggest you try taking it several times before the interview to see how it affects you. It is a very sedating drug if not taken on a regular basis. The last thing you'd want at your interview is to look like you can't stay awake!
You are a large man and the dosage of 5mg would not affect you as much as it would a 105 pound woman, but you never know. You may find in your "trials" beforehand that 2-3mg WOULD be enough to take the edge off for you. Or maybe the 5mg might not be enough. The only way you'll know is to experiment.
As far as the drug tests go, companies are looking for "street drugs," not medication that was prescribed by your doctor. I doubt the diazepam would even show up. The half life of diazepam is 20-50 hours. Every 20-50 hours, 1/2 of the amount of diazepam in your system would be eliminated. If you took 5mg, 20-50 hours later you would only have 2.5mg in your body. If your drug test is 3-7 days after the interview, do the math.
I am on a pretty high potency benzodiazepine for panic, I also take an antidepressant and heart meds. I work at a hospital and our drug testing is NOT random! In all the years I've worked there and peed in the cup, I have never been questioned about anything. If you're not smoking pot or taking street drugs, you don't have anything to worry about.
Good luck on your interview! I hope you get the job,
Knock 'em dead with your presentation!
Peace
Greenlydia  

[erin626]

I've had to take drug tests for work and have had my xanax come up on my test but it didn't matter because I have a valid script from a doc. They just test for street drugs like greenlydia says and if they do have the test that checks for benzos the only way you'll have a problem is if they were illegally obtained and you can not provide proof that you are prescribed them.

I would also agree that you should test how the valium makes you feel before the interview. I took a xanax before work before I knew how it affected me and could barely function because I was so tired from it.

Good luck! You'll do fine.

[Gordytwo]

Thanks for the well thought out responses  !   I don't normally have anxiety issues but the stakes are so high for this job that I don't want to "choke" in any fashion.  It is a sales job and ( ironically) the presentation has little to do with normal day to day job functions.  I was fortunate enough to have a valium script from my father's recent death  ( services) and I know deep down that I can perform much better in this high stakes interview with something to take the edge off
my other big concern is that the HR depts of these corps are now so intrusive.  I wonder if  ( with any chance of a positive)  I should tell the drug lab before the test that I have a valium script ?? Then Would my hiring corp find out ?  Or should I wait till/if they find it and if they notify me.......
sorry-- that should be for another post
I have heard that the half life for valium can be up to 72 hours however

[mammo]

I would do what is suggested and try the Valium before your presentation.  When drug tests are done they're looking for illegal drugs, and if they find the Valium in your system and you have it legally, you are fine.  I was in HR for years, your personnel file is very private and there are no details regarding the drug test.  Just be careful that the Valium doesn't take the edge off too much.  Adrenaline can make us perform at our best at times, so just be careful not to over-do it.  Be yourself, you're obviously well qualified for the job and will do just fine. HR managers are well aware of how nervous one is during a presentation when interviewing for a job, and will give some lead-way on this. Plus, if it's not really part of what you will be doing on a daily basis, it won't play that big a part in whether they hire you. Try to relax and just be professional...even if you mess up...recovery is key! I wish you all the best!