DOT Physical -- Do you really not divulge all medications?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Marbles, Sep 27, 2020.

  1. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Yep, got my Cpap machine from the VA.
     
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  3. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I'm glad that you've had a good experience with the VA.
    Our local VA facility is a joke. I tried using them when I got out of the Army in '70 and gave up after repeated visits that solved nothing. I've been back to them twice since then and neither time was productive as far as taking care of the problem.
    Ever wonder where the people with low GPAs in medical school go when they graduate? Where does the MD who finished last in his class go to work?
    The VA will hire anybody with an MD and a pulse.
    My wife was a pediatrician for many years. Her opinion of the VA care in our area was that they shouldn't be allowed to deal with any health problem worse than a hangnail...and those were her exact words.
     
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Take note of my words! Look at it very closely if you look you’ll see I said where the VA is good, trust me there are some areas where the VA is horrible and they are killing veterans. I went lightly with that statement because I didn’t want to hijack the thread.
     
  5. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Just an aside I left the Air Force in Dec 1980. I went back to my home in Georgia and started my post-service life there. I was having some digestion issues and needed an expensive test done in the latter part of 1982. I contacted the Atlanta VA Hospital and made an appointment. I encountered a very rude and openly hostile person working the desk that day when I checked in. I was asked what % I was. I said I had no service-connected issues. They did the test, but the MD that ordered it made it clear the VA could not treat me and he could see me no more. I never entered a VA hospital again until I moved to my present home in Virginia. I am getting most of my care at the Hampton Virginia VA hospital, but some of this care is substandard and I know of several Vets that have died because of lack of care. The VA problems are systemic and in my opinion, the best and cheapest way to fix this is to close it up! Let the vets go to outside medical providers.
     
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  6. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I take {took} B.P. meds while driving. But I didn't say anything, because, my B.P. was under control while taking. Also they don't show up on any drug test. FYI. So, I preferred a 2 yr physical, not a 1 yr. But this is me, I don't encourage anyone to fudge your answer on the long form.
     
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  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I know a lot of drivers that are doing that. I know several that are insulin-dependent and have 2-year cards. They don't reveal the issue! Personally, I am OK with it as long as the driver stays on their meds and their BP stays good. I'm not OK with the insulin thing though. This blood pressure thing was not a real serious issue until the FMCSA dropped the maximum back in the 90s. I can't remember what the bottom max was, but the top was 160. That change to 140 got a lot of drivers.
     
    lovesthedrive and buddyd157 Thank this.
  8. UsualSuspect

    UsualSuspect Road Train Member

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    Just think, you can get a waiver from the FMCSA and get a 2 year card with certain forms of diabetes, yet have high BP, controlled for decades with meds while under the care of an MD, and no waiver for you. I sometimes wonder.
     
  9. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Generally when in doubt. Ask your doctor to put it in writing of if it is safe for you to be on the road with the meds you are taking.
     
  10. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    The FMCSA won't allow a driver with out of control Diabetes OR Blood pressure to have a Medical card. In the case of diabetes, they expressly prohibited insulin dependent drivers. As long as you keep your BP under control you got a card, there was no need for a waiver. As I understand it today, BASED on the FMCSA final rule the determination on an insulin-dependent driver getting a card is up to the examiner. This final rule is the last I have heard. If anybody has newer information please inform me!
     
  11. Jenn72

    Jenn72 Medium Load Member

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    :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2020
    Reason for edit: Decided not to share my medical history. Thanks
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