Is this the end of my career?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Unclehams, Jun 12, 2023.

  1. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You have not been cleared to drive

    Read the quote below, it is clear about a Syncope event. This isn't to do with weight but other matters and has to be addressed or your CDL will be revoked.

    You have to see a doctor who will properly examine you, because you may have issues that an ER doc won't find. It may take a few months or more to come up with a reason for it but until that time, you can't drive.

    By the way, no one suing you yet?
     
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  3. Knightcrawler

    Knightcrawler Road Train Member

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    Actually, I have seen that very sign in at least 2 different doctors offices, and at least 1 other that was similar. One of them was the last medical doctor I got my DOT physical from (the last 2 times I went I went to a chiropractor)
     
  4. Unclehams

    Unclehams Light Load Member

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    I've been thinking of a sleep test and I sure hope thats not it.
     
  5. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    You need to be cleared by a DOT doctor, after filling out the forms and answering questions with HONEST information.
     
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  6. Unclehams

    Unclehams Light Load Member

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    Well they hooked me up to a machine, drew blood, and monitored my heart.

    The company's insurance is handling it, no one was seriously injured from the accident, a few people went to get checked out via ambulance. If I had killed someone or was on drugs, drinking etc than Im sure i would be in jail facing multiple lawsuits.

    " It was treated at first like a worker's comp case than since I have no injuries I was fired from work." ( the dispatchers' words and his action, not mine)

    PS, heat stroke would not revoke your Medical Examiner's Certificate
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2023
  7. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    You know you are driving commercially and you know you had this event, why are you not getting a DOT doctor's office involved other than to hide this event from the DOT? If I have a heart attack 2 weeks after I get a fresh DOT card and then start driving after I get out of the hospital without a new DOT card I think I am at huge liability, if not deceiving the DOT about my fitness to drive. One of the primary purposes of the DOT medical exam requirement is to prevent commercial vehicle drivers being on the road with known serious medical problems.

    Was your event a heat stroke or is that your story because you think it's less risky for your job/career than what it might be?
     
  8. Unclehams

    Unclehams Light Load Member

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    When I explained it to the doctor he said it sounded more like heat stroke and due to my weight as well. Thanks for the idea of getting a new med card, I just might end up doing that. Any advice is welcomed. I really want to keep working but locally.
     
  9. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Maybe get A1C test, that’s you blood sugar levels over 3 months if they are not already checking it. Sleep apnea is standard test for overweight drivers today. You can records yourself sleeping and then listen to hear if you hear yourself gasping for air. 5 time or more per hour you probably have sleep apnea. Not sure about heat stroke unless your driving truck without a/c or working outside before driving like flatbed or car hauling.

    You can lose the weight but finding why you blacked out is important. People can reverse diabetes if we stop eating sugar and carbohydrates.
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Sometimes it seems like drivers posting on the forum won't ask the real life doctor questions but will ask strangers on the internet the questions. We don't have medical training. Were you overheated or were you stressed by something else? If I blacked out and hit other vehicles I would want to know why and not just wish someday someone would MAYBE drop the reason why into my life. Maybe I misunderstood what happened or something. I wouldn't be driving on public roads until I found out if it could happen again, but you need to know why it happened the first time, and not just hope is doesn't. Big trucks can make big wrecks and attract big lawsuits. This shouldn't be item 23 on your To-Do list, if/when you get time to work on it. Good luck. I'm done with the thread.
     
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  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    BS, you got into an accident with property damage, you need to be off the road until they figure out what happened and heat stroke isn't it.

    The first thing the cops are obligated to report the syncope event to the state DMV or SoS that you had a syncope event while driving and they are to report this to your home state which will suspend your license.

    Your medical card is no good at the point of the accident.

    Almost all states will suspend your license for 6 to 12 months, which means you are not allowed to drive until you are medically cleared.

    Here it is 12 months because you have a CDL and all enforcement agencies are obligated to report it while for doctors it is voluntary by law.

    This means that there is a lot more than just hooking you up to a machine and declaring it heat stroke or some crap like that. It means you have to rule out neurological issues, then go down the list of things until they declare you fit to drive.

    Sometimes it may take a couple of years.
     
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