Not Getting Behind the Wheel for a While

Sorry for your loss. @Moose1958 can probably answer your question.

 

It's legally OK to take prescribed meds, you just can't operate a CMV until a medical examiner OKs it.

While I have not suffered such a close loss, I do know how hard depression is to beat. For me, it took a long while. I was forced to retire Dec of 2012. Because of careful financial planning, I was able to retire, but I still miss it.

 

Your company might allow you to take a leave of absence without resigning. Your job will still be there after a few weeks or months, whatever time period you need for the LOA, but you won't lose any of your seniority, vacation time, and things of that sort when you go back. You'll have to pay the premiums on your health and dental insurance or you'll lose the coverage. Something to consider if the job is one you want to go back to. If not maybe resigning is better.

 

Don't forget, if it takes longer than when your medical card expires, self declare intrastate exempt. You won't be able to drive, but your CDL won't be downgraded.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss man.

 

Check out the guidelines for FMLA. Contact your ‘former’ employer and notify them your resignation was ‘under duress’ and you are rescinding your resignation. Contact an employment lawyer to protect yourself, it may be too late, but worth a shot.

 

Sorry for your loss but I would not be dependent on drugs, find a group to talk to, it is far better.

 

If you are prescribed meds you can take all the drug tests you like. However if the drug will effect driving you should not be driving until you are well enough to get back out there. IF you get randomed while on prescribed meds, the MRO will call you if your test comes back with controlled substances in them. You provide the MRO with the medical information / prescription and as far as they care its the end of it. However common courtesy and lots of company requirements will not allow you to driver for THEM while under the effects of certain drugs. Most of it is common sense.

 

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Please don't make mojor decision now. It sounds like resigning was the best thing to do. If you stopped driving and you are prescribed anything under doctor's care, just make sure your medication is ALWAYS in the prescription bottle with your name on it. I don't think you will get called for a random test after you resign. And if the meds were prescribed and you list them and the doctor's info, I don't see it being a problem. I would not get a new medical exam, and maybe you forget you were briefly on the meds by the next time you get a medical card, assuming you stop taking them long before your exam.

You don't have to decide everything right now.