DOT Physical/Neuro-Stim/Scrips

Just so you know, the Buprenorphine will not show up on a DOT five panel drug screen as it is not one of the five for which they test and it is not an opioid. If you could get off of the Percocet and just use the Buprenorphine, no one would ever have to know except for you and your doc. I would not disclose or discuss it with any potential employers, as it is none of their business

 

I know exactly what you mean. I have severe radiation fibrosis in my neck and it NEVER goes away. The only way to do that would be to knock me out, and then it doesn't go away, I am just unaware of it.

I have been on pain meds for going on 9 years now. I have reached the capacity on them and now the only hope is to change every few months from one to another in the hopes of some relief.

 

This is where I'm at. I even went from hauling dedicated OSOW up to 160,000k gross loads down to just hauling legal weight equipment, so I could drop from 1/2" chains down to 3/8"..... It doesn't really matter though, the pain is still always there. The worst is after a long day, taking a shower and laying down to relax, then an hour later once your body has stiffened all up, having to get back up and run to the john or whatever.....UGH!

FWIW, been about 10+years on meds myself.

 

Other people have NO idea what it's like, and there is no way to make them understand it.

 

You're going to have a lot of people come on here and tell you this and that but will not provide a reference to back it up. Your requirements come right out of the FMCSR's little green handbook under 382.213 (b) Controlled substance use.

By law this is the only requirement that is required by the FMCSA for prescribed medications use. The doctor that gave you the prescription must be DOT certified. That means the doctor must be legal in that state to prescribe that medication. He is only required to tell You and You alone if the medication is going to effect your driving. You are required to tell the doctor about your truck driving job.

There are some drugs like methadone and insulin can not be used ever. I would check with the FMCSA if your using a narcotic or habit forming drug. This requirement has some double standards to it and I would get a letter from FMCSA if I was going to use any of these medications.

Above is the law. However, the company may have it's own policy and include that they want to be notified by you on what prescriptions you are taking. They will not fire you for taking the medication but fire you for not informing them.

Some drivers feel that medications are the devils work and should never be taken around any CMV's. Most of them still drink. Medications are ok in my book if the benefits out way the side effects. I would never take Ambien and wake up and drive. But it's legal under FMCSA's rules. Just never take another person's word on such a career ending situation. Check all the rules and go to your Doctor and talk with him. Then if you really want to CYA go talk with the company and explain what you want to do.

 

http://www.inspiraurgentcare.org/upload/docs/Urgentcare/FMCSAMedicalExaminerHandbook-2014MAR18.pdf

 

Mark, this reference you gave is not for testing for controlled substance. It's a manual to teach the doctor what to look for during the drivers physical. I did not read the entire reference so there may be some information on controlled substances. A very good reference for what the doctor looks for during your physical. I know these requirements and going to play a bigger role in trucking soon when the FMCSA get what they want and have a data base full of certified doctors throughout the U.S.

 

The controlled substance use and requirements are here:

The Final Rule which harmonizes requirements on Schedule I drugs between 382. 213, 391.41(b)(12) and
392.4 was published on January 30, 2012. There were inconsistencies as to whether a commercial driver
would be permitted to use a Schedule I medication when under the direction of a licensed health care provider. A proposed rule was published in July 2011 which clarified that Schedule I drugs would not be permitted even if under the direction of a licensed health care provider. With this clarification, the wording for 391.41(b)(12) was changed to the following with the Medical Examination Reporting updated to reflect this change;

Section 391.41(b)(12)(i)&(ii) state:

(12)(i) Does not use any drug or substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or other habit-forming drug.

(ii) Does not use any non-Schedule I drug or substance that is identified in the other Schedules in 21 part 1308 except when the use is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner, as defined in § 382.107, who is familiar with the driver's medical history and has advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.


The list of Schedule I drugs is here:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/cfr/1308/1308_11.htm



It does not matter if you have a prescription for a Schedule I drug. You may not drive a commercial vehicle while using (or having the metabolites in your system) a Schedule I drug. Period. The waiver program has been discontinued.

The (ii) is about documentation. Any long term prescription must be disclosed and documented.
A civil penalty may also be levied against the driver under 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(b), either for making a false statement or for concealing a disqualifying condition. Penalties have increased.

For the up to date information on Drug Testing and SAP go to:

https://www.transportation.gov/odapc

 

Kind of an odd question but not really. Driving sixty plus hours a week is not exactly body friendly are you not concerned that the daily toll is going to send the injury into overdrive