Multiple Sclerosis and CDL

Hi,
I have found a little something for you to read. This is from the state of Texas but I am sure the every state has it's own rules. I do hope the you find the information pasted below helpful. Good luck

Crusher
"MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Patients with acute, chronic, or relapsing progressive multiple
sclerosis (MS) often accumulate incremental neurologic dysfunction
involving multiple functional subsystems of the central nervous system
at multiple levels. The multiplicity of neurological dysfunction
causes complex disorders of integrated sensory-motor and, in some
cases, cognitive function
which exceeds the simple sum of individual neurological deficits. In
addition, there is a
potential for unpredictable relapses at any time and patients with progressive MS
characteristically suffer from excessive fatiguability and daily
fluctuations in motor
performance. Prolonged physical activity, emotional stress, warm
ambient climate and minor
viral infections are common conditions which are known to transiently
worsen neurological
function in these patients.

Disposition
The complex disorder of integrated sensory-motor function Seen in
acute, chronic, or
relapsing progressive MS is not compatible with the level of motor
skill required for
operation of commercial vehicles, and these patients should not be
approved for licensure.
Some patients with clinically definite MS may have a benign course with minimal
neurologic dysfunction being present even 10 to 15 years after the
onset of the disease.
Patients with clinically benign MS for a duration of at least 5 years
after diagnosis, and
patients with possible or probable MS, may be considered candidates
for licensure to operate
a commercial vehicle if the following conditions apply:
* There are no signs of relapse or progression.
* There are no or only functionally insignificant neurologic signs and symptoms as
determined by a neurologist.
o An MRI and triple evoked potential studies are normal or do not
reveal new lesions
compared to prior evaluations made at least one year apart.
* There is no history of excessive fatiguability or periodic fluctuations of motor
performance especially in relation to heat, physical and emotional
stress and infections.
The disqualification may be appealed to a neurologist or physiatrist
who may recommend
a simulated driving skills test or equivalent functional test (see
Appendix A). If an
applicant wins an appeal, then an on-the-road driving test is required before final
certification. In order. to detect subsequent signs of progression,
the candidate will be
reevaluated annually by a neurologist*, who may again recommend
functional testing (see
Appendix A), and will require a repeat on-the-road driving test."