DOT Physical/Neuro-Stim/Scrips

Hi all...

First of all let me say I have been reading for the past 2 or 3 days here and have learned a LOT of info from all you sages.
I'm 48 years old, and am looking into starting my truck driving course at FVTC in Appleton Wi using my state GI Bill(I'm a 9 year AD Navy vet).
I had to retire from my previous job as a state correctional sergeant(18 years) due to a sciatic issue which led to me having a neuro stimulator implanted. Although I could return to the prison system...I'm choosing not to and strike out into OTR driving.
Over the last two years, I've had two surgeries and prescribed many different drugs trying to address the pain. I've been using a "Butrans"(Buprenorphine) patch in addition to the Boston Scientific neuro-stim and am virtually pain free.
My MD has prescribed low dose(7.5mgx3per day) Oxycodone and the patch which is akin to a time release nicotine patch(transdermal) at 20mcg per day. I do take it(the percocet) at night...so it is in my system.
So...will all, or any of this disqualify me from the DOT pre-employment physical? If so...can I simply just quit taking the meds and is that acceptable, as I CAN rely on the neuro-stim as a stand alone although it doesn't provide quite the relief.

I can easily provide any documentation for the scrips as I have nothing to hide from them.

Thanks in advance...

 

Yeah...I know it's the proverbial "can-o-worms".
I've been prescribed everything under the sun over the last two years. All trying to relieve the pain. Some of it's worked to varying degrees, much of it hasn't.
After the surgery and implant of the neuro-stim, things have gotten significantly better but the neuropathy/pain is still there. Hopefully it's a sign that it's indeed on it's way out.
Up to that point, I've always been as healthy as a horse. Always have great blood work at my physicals, and was a competitive bike rider who could beat "kids" half my age...so this whole thing's been a real mess for me. I've always taken just enough of the stuff to keep the worst of it at bay and my MD has never had an issue with me and the meds...just the opposite in fact. He's had to push me to try the stronger stuff as he knew I was trying to push though it doing as little as possible...then the $64k implant.
After the multiple MRI's, EMG's etc...they still can't find the source...that's the maddening thing. My back is still strong...just have the classic non-disc induced sciatica.
The good thing is that prolonged sitting/driving doesn't really change it. I've made multiple day drives with long hours in the seat and am no worse at the end of it. I can also lift, move things just fine so that also isn't an issue.

My goal is to simply get off the pills completely in the short term and wear the patch. It has virtually 0 narcotic affect...but does specifically relieve the pain from my knee to my foot. Downside is that they're pricey...AND the medication is often used to treat addicted patients, so there's that stigma potential also.

I'm scheduled for my initial DOT exam in two weeks in order to get my learning permit and start the early January class so it's all coming up pretty quick and I want to get my ducks in a row

Thanks again...

 

As I've said, I've talked to my MD regarding the issue. He stated that indeed some of the scrips are contra-indicated for CMV licensing, however at mildly therapeutic levels(which I'm at) it shouldn't be a showstopper necessarily...especially due to the fact that I'm on the downward slope of recovery. My concern is with the fact that it's basically a decision which is delegated to the individual inspector as the regs give them quite some leeway/discretion.

I appreciate the intel and look forward to continue my education here.

Regards...

 

"People who have never suffered with severe or chronic pain can not imagine what it is truly like."

That's the truth.

Prior to this, I've been injured a few times with breaks/sprains...and to date the worst pain was having two kidney stones decided to rear their heads while I was in the middle of the western Pacific ocean about 2k miles from the nearest landmass. I thought I was dead...I had no idea what it was. As bad as that was...I'd take another stone no question.

With this sciatic pain, it's just unrelenting. It's more suffering than the hard pain of say a broken bone, stone or something traumatic. It just doesn't ever seem to go away. People who've never had chronic pain like that don't get it. It's easy to say "Oh just take some Oxy and it'll be good"...but after you've built up a tolerance to them and the pain is still there...then what? I was taking enough morphine to kill a horse...and it still wouldn't really "kill" the pain, only dull it enough to function.

I had the first surgery and that addressed part of the problem which was a muscle impinging on the nerve...but the majority of it was still there. After the neuro-stim was implanted that's really helped me deal with it. It doesn't really relieve the pain, but morphs it into a different sensation. It's basically the ability to "tase" yourself. I mean that literally. I can use the remote to turn it up so much that I can't move my leg. I've been tased many times in training and have also had to "ride the lightning" with belts, shields and other electronic control devices...and it really is pretty close, but more controllable. It really is unfortunate that the prescription drugs abuse has become such an issue and even legitimate users are sometimes stigmatized with the abusers for no reason. Although some of the blame can be placed on the medical community for their rather free Rx'ing of Hydro and Oxy through the years.

I may be able to get another perspective next week as I may be going out over the road for a few days with my cousin who's been OTR for 20 years or so. He said he'd be happy to let me do a ride along and show me how things "really" work.

Again...thanks for the replies and help.