Need Advice for DOT Physical with taking Lithium

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.

 

Yeah, you can find Lithium in foods and as over counter supplements. There is also Lithium as a prescription, which is typically Lithium Carbonate. It's all Lithium, just different variations. Prescription Lithium is a higher dose than over-the-counter Lithium.

 

I was told by the psychiatrist that I'm taking Lithium to be happier. During Covid, I would get depressed and so seeing a 'diagnosis' of bipolar in the past in 2019, she decided to prescribe e Lithium just in case.

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 problems