First, protect yourself.

I would like to add that you have my sincere sympathy - I have a friend who suffers from severe/chronic lower back pain and as such I have an idea as to what you are having to put up with. But also I'd like to thank you very much for sharing this information - as a person just getting into trucking (and I ain't no spring chicken either ;?D), I'm glad I was made aware of this and am always trying to educate myself as to the risks involved with this job and how to minimize/eliminate them whenever possible.

To that end, I'd like to bring up the question of what other occupational health problems are common in the trucking industry? Of course obesity and generally poor physical condition is a common topic and obviously ties in with poor diet and/or insufficient exercise.

But those problems aside, as well as discounting all types of injuries that can happen from accidents (and as such not easily preventable), I'm mainly concerned with those "hidden" or not so obvious health problems that truck drivers must deal with most frequently, as well as how they might be prevented or at least minimized? Any info is greatly appreciated ;?D

 

From my expeience, training (not in trucking, but in the medical area) truckers are prone to the following illnessness and diseases

obesity
high blood pressure
diabetes
sleep apnea
low back problems
carpal tunnel syndrome
deep vein thrombosis -- blood clots in the legs
arthritis -- especially the knees
emphysema -- from smoking too much

 

this is a lesson to everyone, not just truck drivers. ANY job can cause you mental and/or physical problems if you put the job above your own health. you got to just take it easy, and realize that edging out 10% extra in performance when you know it's costing you isn't worth it. no matter if it's pride, or trying to make a little more money. you have to let pride and money go at times, so you can be there in the long haul..... I'm a newbie and appreciate the warning. but I've suffered my own injuries in other industry from pushing myself too hard, and pride.

 

Hope you are doing better

 

sure as hell helped me. im a young buck, im 22, and i stop for bathroom breaks and thats about it. im a new driver so they are givin me realitivly short runs, thus far longest run i made was 800+ miles, but i felt pretty good knowing i could ride out for 6-8 even 10 hours at a time without having to stop for anything. food, drinks, everything i need is int he rig and within reach, bathroom breaks are few and far between... but never thought about nerve dammage. i was told those problems went out when air ride seats came into play. but now perhaps a break every few hours for a quick stroll might be a good idea now

 

Great post and VERY good advise! Thanks from Mom and Dad.

 

Thanks for your post and I am very sorry hear you're going through all this. As another poster said, don't give up yet, it's the worst thing you can do. Take advantage of all the help there is today and go for it. This is coming from someone who has head multiple health issues over the years and even gone through chemo that damaged joints, nerves then another medication damage too.

Last week there was this young guy walking in front of our house, carrying a plastic jug. I'm thinking he's scared of our dog and wants water since they're harvesting milo down the road a bit. I hollared at him that the dog wont bite him, he waves and just kept walking. I watch as he turns down a turn row, then goes around a cotton field. My son was on his way home, so when he got here we took him a cold jug of water. Turns out he was a truck driver out walking to pass time but he still appreciated the water It was nice to see someone that young out walking!

 

I have a buddy of mine that is only 28 years old. I always told him to slow down and tell his dispatch that he wouldn't be pushed anymore. Now, he is suffering from the early effects of spinal disk compression from sitting behind the wheel for far too long each day and pushing for the extra miles. The only solution to this is for him to have his spine welded and for him to change careers. For those new drivers out there - take it easy! Stop every few hours, get out, take a walk, kick the tires, do a walkaround your unit and stretch! You only have one shot at your health - and the load isn't late until it's sitting upside down in the ditch no matter what the receiver or dispatcher says.

 

Im 27yrs old and i have Scoliosis and i been driving for 2 years now and i been thinking about giving up driving because i been having problems with my back. Im between jobs right now but im just not sure if i want to continue driving, i been out of the truck for a month now but every morning i wake up my back is in pain and if i drive for more then a hour my feet start to go numb. I don't really want to screw up my back anymore then it is, i dunno should i continue trucking? Or should i look at a new career thats not such a risk on my back?

 

Numbness was one of my first symptoms also. I found myself missing steps, tripping over things and even having my shoe hitting the corner of the accelerator without realizing it. I about ran over a toll booth attendant before I decided it was serious. I would lay in the bunk at night and my feet would hurt so bad I would sit with my flashlight looking for what I had stepped on. Nerve damage is irreversible. Ask your Doctor if he thinks you need to see a Neurologist, and for your own sake, do it while you are still covered by insurance. If you do, your are eligible for short or long term disability while your trying to get better.