Question: bipolar/manic-depression

Did you tell anyone what you were taking? If you did the short answer is yes. If you did not then you will be ok. I do suggest that you stop taking the Ambien that one will get you diqualified faster than the other two.

 

I have a form that the state DOT required my doctor to fill out before the examining physician would approve my medical card. Once she got the card, I was given a one year approval. I am keping th originals of every thing pertaining to this. Is this going to help?

 

Yes and no. It is going to be up to whatever company you sign up with. Are you in a company sponsored training program?

 

You'd think all of those 5 foot tall 400lb truckers that can't tie their shoes without getting out of breath would somehow be disqualified during the physical (heart attack waiting to happen at the wheel).

 

No, I am going through a private school.

 

Ok. The reasoned I asked is because when you find a company more than likely you will have to take another physical. That might be when it becomes a problem. Expecially with the ambien. Personally, I would not tell whoever you go with about the meds. I would also suggest that you find an alternative for the ambien. It has some pretty nasty side effects.

 

Thanks littlebit, I'll do just that and keep it to myself. I already talked to the doctor about getting off the ambien and she said it would be okay. Going to just have to quit taking it. I also asked her about getting off theothers, but that will take some time. I'll have to reduce the amount gradually.

 

Folks, you can't hide the taking of medication like that. It is patently illegal to do so. Insurance companies can pull your medical records in a minute and discover the fact that you are not being honest, and will kick your hiney out of that truck so fast it will make your head spin.

If your personal Physician will clear you to drive a commercial vehicle, and the examining DOT Physician approves, then what is the problem? If and when there is an issue of a questionable drug, you should always seek an alternative through your personal Physician.

I have been on anti-depressants for years, and have never had any problem clearing the physical.

 

Thanks for the info, Turbo. I hoonestly don't want to try and hide anything. If everything goes okay, great! If not, that's life. I don't think there will be a problem, though, as my doctor has a long history with me and is already reducing the dosages of the meds with no adverse side-effects on my part. She has also stated that the meds do not sedate me or make it unsafe for me to operate heavy machinery. I still have a few weeks to go in training school and already have a few prehires. I just want to get as much training as I can and make a decent living as a safe, professional truck driver.

Thanks for all the great input. This forum has benn a real good resource.

 

Here,s my experience. I was depressed a while back and was given samples and a prescription for meds which I took for a short while. After doing some reading, and some thinking, I decided to stop and just deal with issues w/o benefits of medication. About six months later, i went in for scheduled dot physical and told my doctor I was doing better. After examining me, he signed off on my physical, to include the certificate on the back page saying I'm fit to drive. So am I to understand that I'm not out of the woods yet, as I could be shot down by a "Company" Dr?

Let me just say that in many cases, depression isn't permenant. Furthermore, my Dr.'s "diagnosis" was based entirly on what I voluteered to him which honestly wasn't much. And when I told him I was coping W/O meds he was okay with that too. So how is it then, that if a driver feels mentally fit (and says as much) and there are no other indications to the contrary, could that driver be deemed unfit.

Of course I understand the concern/consequence of the possible side effects of antidepressants regarding licensing, but would like to focus the discussion on a doctor's authority to disaprove a cert based upon what they diagnose. Simply put, if a driver states they're feeling okay mentally, and stops meds, as I did. Could a Dr. really disaprove?

P.S. After reading dozens of posts these last couple weeks about experience as a teacher. I gotta confess, I've come to smell what Prodriver was cook'n regarding pick'n a school. I WAS pretty full o'myself!
Thanks for the wake-up.