Dot physical 2nd opinion

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by EnleMane, Nov 4, 2022.

  1. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Big Man weight for 6’3.

    I didn’t figure you to be too obese doing construction work. Make it a priority to keep your weight in check though. Know what I’m saying?

    Luck in battle, hand.
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    OK I missed that part, sorry.

    Well you never had a CDL, even if you were in the system, you start fresh.

    The DOT physicals is about fulfilling your obligation for a CDL holder or employment requirements - we have a couple drivers who drive a non-CDL truck and the insurance company requires them to have a DOT physical which is useless.

    SO just go get one anywhere, others can tell you the best place - concentra are a bunch of morons by the way, avoid them.
     
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Just a point. Medical cards are required for most people who operate CMVs as defined by 390.5 NOT just CDL-required vehicles. A medical goes into the FMCSA database regardless of if you have a CDL or not. Yes, it is not in the CDLIS because the driver has no CDL, but it is in the FMCSA medical database. I urge extreme caution with a 2nd physical EVEN if there is no CDL involved. FMCSA LINK
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2022
    brian991219 Thanks this.
  5. Lexuslane

    Lexuslane Medium Load Member

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    I’m 5’9” and 218
    I was up to 245 at one point .

    Never had any issue getting a 2 year card

    I always go to the clinic at CVS pharmacy
    You go On their website to make an appointment and their drop down menu asking why you want the appointment has “DOT physical “

    and as mentioned , the person doing the dot physical is NOT your partner in health etc
    They are looking for a reason to not give you a two year card .

    So when they ask if you have trouble sleeping or ask any other questions , a short yes or no answer is all you need to say

    if you have issues with your blood pressure , I’d suggest making the appt first thing in the morning , wake up and drive to the clinic , do no eat or —drink— anything . Not even water . Don’t drink anything at all.

    I used to chug a bottle of water on the way to the clinic so I’d have ammo for the urine test , but I discovered the water bumps my BP by about ten points for a couple of hours.
    And I learned they don’t need much urine anyway , it’s not a drug test they are sending off to a lab, the medical exam urine is just to stick the test strip in to check to see if you are a diabetic passing sugar .

    but as previously mentioned , you do need to make some effort to lose some weight ,
    For your general health as well as the DOT medical card .

    no judgement here , I’ve been overweight myself , and it ain’t easy to lose weight.
    My problem was the doctor. Doctor Pepper.
    I could drink that stuff all day.

    I didn’t have enough willpower to cut it out , but I did switch to the Mexican coke in the old green glass bottles , it’s made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup .
    The sugar makes you feel full, the Corn syrup just makes you more hungry.

    cut out some of the carbs , eating bacon is healthier than eating bread ,
    If you gradually cut out sugar and grains , bread rice pasta etc you will notice a difference fairly quick.

    A couple of years ago A friend of mine got diverticulitis and couldn’t eat anything , nothing at all for three weeks to allow the damage done by the infection to his intestines to heal up.

    he could drink anything he wanted but no solid food for three weeks .

    he lost 29 pounds in 21 days .
    Not the best way to lose weight but he was proof that it drops off fast if you stop eating .
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    My good friend, 6'4" and 315 lbs. always passed his DOT physical. On a sad note, he also died of a heart attack. He was pumping off a load from a tanker and dropped dead. Doctor said his heart exploded and he died before his body hit the ground.
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I don't want to hijack this thread into a medical one but here is something I have taken notice of these last few years. Back in May of 2022 I underwent a Cardiac procedure where 2 stents were placed inside my LCX artery that was 100% blocked. A total blockage of the LAD artery can and often lead to what is called the Widowmaker Heart Attack. About 3 or 4 times a year I discover a friend I have known for years has died from an M.I. in some cases DOA in the ER. These people have several things in common. To the best of my knowledge all smoked. All of them consumed alcohol and were overweight. I will not get sucked into a debate about smoking. I'm just stating the fact all of these men that died were heavy smokers.

    Take a look at this photograph! What do you think are the chances this man will live a long full life without medical problems and die from old age?

    [​IMG]

    It's not my purpose to fat-shame anybody. When I was driving I carried way too much weight. This is why I don't normally tell a driver how to put a bandaid on a problem like high blood pressure just so they can get a 2-year card. I rather you have a long full life and a long career in this job by making the health decisions TODAY that enable it. In the end, I am NOT a Nazi and will stand back and allow anybody to do as they dang well please, however it makes me sad to see people in an industry I love destroying themselves like this.
     
  8. smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

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    Just a thought..a coronary calcium scan is a new inexpensive way to check and see if you have any heart artery blockages. Most insurance policies cover it and your cost is only $100. It's non invasive. They roll u into I to the scanner, takes about a minute and you are done. It's worth it and can definitely save your life. It uses a scoring system from 0-100 with 100 being total blockage in one or more arteries. I had it recently done and scored 0 in all which was a major surprise considering all the junk food I have eaten over the years.. thankfully never smoked.
     
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  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    He can subvert the rules by identifying as a pregnant woman.
     
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  11. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    If you’re near Melbourne or can make the drive, I can hook you up…

    Just message me and I will give you a contact.
     
    OldeSkool and Chinatown Thank this.
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