Hey everyone,
QUESTION: Should I tell the DOT Physician that I am taking Lithium? Should I tell them that I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and bipolar? Does Lithium require me to get a clearance letter from my doctor?
BACKGROUND
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I need some advice about an upcoming DOT Physical (I want to become a HAZMAT Driver).
I've been taking Lithium for a few months, and have been diagnosed with bipolar, anxiety, and depression at some points in the past during COVID and when the business failed and I became homeless in 2019. However, I haven't had any symptoms of depression since my business failed.
The only reason why my doctor has me talking Lithium right now is I guess "just in case", and if you don't have bipolar or depression, Lithium won't hurt you if you stay in the goldilocks zone.
I also have not had any side effects at all to the Lithium.
Also, I just got my TWIC card and Pin in the mail last week. So at least I know I will pass the HAZMAT background check, as it's the same background check as the TWIC background check.
I've been driving as a delivery driver for the last 2 years full time without any tickets or any violations, so I don't think I am a danger to the road.
Thanks a bunch ya'll.
Need Advice for DOT Physical with taking Lithium
Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by alexhannett, Dec 12, 2021.
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Is lithium an over the counter drug?
Lithium Orotate (120mg), over the counter in health food stores. Most people don’t realize that lithium itself is not a drug, but a naturally occurring mineral salt, like potassium.Rideandrepair Thanks this. -
Rideandrepair and Chinatown Thank this.
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Do you get Manic episodes? Or were you having them before taking Lithium?
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I personally don't think I've ever been manic in my entire life. The only time therapists and psychiatrists believe I've been manic are times before I even saw any mental health providers at all. Specifically, when I owned my business and it was failing, I listened to "get rich quick schemes" and "connecting with your inner voice" from organizations in San Francisco. I spent over $34,000 on these programs and traveling coast to coast. This is the only time any mental health providers have believed that I was manic.
But I believe it was just someone whose business was failing and wanted to do anything or believe anything to save it.
I have not been "manic" in any way shape or form since my business in 2019. I actually only started taking Lithium in August 2021, so I had over 2 years where I never had any problemsRideandrepair Thanks this. -
I don’t think it will disqualify you if mentioned. I personally wouldn’t. I think it’s really no ones business. I don’t want a record of anything I “might” have. Give it a chance to work, over time you’ll figure out if it’s needed or not.
ProfessionalNoticer Thanks this. -
What comes to mind is the questions on the dot examination themselves. They ask you about your mental health and prescribed medications. You are either truthful or you lie. That's your decision.
You have to always consider the "what if" situations.Rideandrepair Thanks this. -
A lot of doctors can see what's prescribed even if you don't tell them. I had a tooth pulled a couple months ago while on the road and the dentist prescribed an antibiotic rinse. Bought it in a different state than where I live and paid cash for it. At my regular doc appt a couple weeks ago he asked if I used all of it and why I needed it.
Rideandrepair Thanks this. -
Personally, I don't volunteer any information.
Bean Jr., ProfessionalNoticer and John E. Thank this. -
Don't tell them anything more than the form asks. They're not MDs and they don't have access to your medical records...as it should be. My last physical was done by a Chiropractor.
John E. Thanks this.
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