Anti-depressants allowed? Employment discrimination?

I did my school physical today and told the doctor about the medicine I take weekly, he asked why and I told him. He was absolutely fine with it. I even got my physical card today. I think they only want to make sure that your medicine does not cause drowsiness. I say go for it, don't allow people with negative comments to talk you out of your career goals. You don't every have to tell your employer. If they ask, sure tell them the truth. Other than that don't volunteer it, thats your personal business.

 

They don't test for them drugs in normal or random drug test as a condition of employment. They might do a thorough test if you are involved in a fatality. So always be honest.

Depression is not disqualified if treated successfully. You are not allowed to take anything in the benzodiazepine family. (I think that's pills with Lithium in it). The two you listed I think are okay.

A medical examiner is suppose to refer you to a psychiatrist for evaluation. Whether that includes one already done I don't know.

Once you get past them hurdles then you have the trucking company to deal with. They will be sending you to their doctor for a physical. Do you meet the companies insurance requirements?? I'd say that's a case by case basis.

I think you'll be alright.

I'll never take that Wellbutrin again. The doctor gave it to me to quit smoking and it made me depressed and talk about weird dreams. I was riding a horse with no head, lol. I guess it works differently on who takes it.

Copied from a .gov pdf.
Structure might be funky.

 

I'll never take that Wellbutrin again. The doctor gave it to me to quit smoking and it made me depressed and talk about weird dreams. I was riding a horse with no head, lol. I guess it works differently on who takes it.. Yeah when I was on Zoloft back in 03 I dreamed every night death was a beautiful thing and even told my girlfriend about when I awoke in the mornings and begged her for three ways with her girlfriends and considered porn ago told me to get off that &$&& so I did and all that went away well mostly

 

The list is located in the 21 cfr and not the FMCSR. And you're just repeating what was said. Please read before you post, it's hard enough to understand but when it's read right it does get easy especially when all the off the cuff additives are left out.

 

I did 30 days of the 90 that were subsidized so that I could quit smoking. The weird dreams by the end had me convinced never to smoke again.


Now every time I have an urge, I ask myself if I want to go through that wellbutrin stuff again.

 

I took Welbutrin to quit smoking years ago. Worked great. I had a tougher time quitting the Welbutrin

 

My experience was the following: When I began CDL school I was on anti-depressants but weaned myself off before going to my training carrier. I did this for two reasons. 1. I felt filled with hope for the first time in over 5 years that I could feel happy about waking up in the morning again because trucking was something that motivated me to do my best. and 2. I felt strongly that no CMV should be operated by someone who must rely on a pill that when taken away from them can impair their judgement and emotional well-being.

This is very dangerous to go off anti-depressants and a doctor should monitor and approve it before you attempt it. While I was in truck driver training I became aware that there were many people who were attempting to wean themselves off or at least not take their meds during training because a recruiter or someone told them to do it to at least get through training. Some of these people had complete meltdowns and the trainer was left to babysit them while these students were in a psychotic fit.

There was a case a few years back that made news when a student took off with the truck & left the trainer after such an episode and law enforcement had to throw spike strips to get him to stop the truck. My point is, if you are not monitored by a Doctor you should absolutely not attempt to go off meds while in training.

My health certificate long form clearly stated I was on anti-depressants and I was hired. I also had a trainer who was doctor shopping across America for everything from muscle relaxers to painkillers, the carrier knew it and did nothing.

Drug tests are looking for illegal substances and did not test for legal pharmacueticals except opiates would show up. The rules are more strict now but vary from carrier to carrier on how they enforce the FMCSA policies and good common sense for highway safety.

My advice is consult with your doctor to wean yourself down before you go out on the road and if this is not possible to go off these medications ever you should consider the safety of others first. If you understand that trucking makes you have difficulties getting things done for your personal self ontime you should realize that it would be possible to be without your meds due to scheduling issues and this can be quite dangerous.

That's my .25 cpm

PS: Common Sense is Not So Common as it turns out .....