Blood Clots & Bi-Polar

In reading what you are saying, you sound like you are really hung up on proving that you can still drive. I understand your desire for that, but you also said how against it your family is. Are you really listening to their needs?

 

If you're even wondering if you're having manic episodes you dont need to be driving at all. Those closest to you can see things you can't see. Try to find one of the new treatment centers/medical centers that detox those toxins out of your body. You'll be a new person and won't have to have all these symptoms disrupting your life. The doctors aren't easy to find so start with the larger citys, contact the staffs at Johns Hopkins, Mayo etc. Another good reason to follow through with this is the meds you have to take for bipolar can be very damaging to your health.

 

I know how important it is for men to feel like they can provide, but honestly, what good would it be for your financial circumstances to improve if everything else went to heck? There has to be another way. You just seem to be saying it all loud and clear in your posts, but you aren't reading it for yourself. Good luck to you and listen to your wife. She knows the real you and can help to guide you in the right direction.

 

I know that it must be hard for you to not drive, but this is probably for the best, both for you and for your family.

 

Well God Bless ya and we wish you well.

 

Most drivers and companies, know nothing about this life threatening occurence or the employer knows but does not bother discussing with their drivers (potentially bringing liability onto themselves). In addition, companies wanting their freight yesterday. Hardly worth a life or the down time required after a blood clot is discovered.

I also, being competitive- thought "I was one of the Super Trucker's". I was going to get the delivery to it's destination in less time than the other guy. Driving from Florida to Dallas within 11 hours, delivered the load and reloaded. I was then ready to drive the next 11 hours non-stop.

As of recent, I believed I was healthy...never sick, staying active while at home on weekends, regular physicals, regular check ups. Had extensive blood work completed weeks ago, results coming back even better than what I had thought. I was ready to be told if anything, that I needed to improve the good cholersterol, watch salt and all the other stuff we eventually have to change. I am 46 years old and today I can only drive across town. My situation causes a forced desire within, to provide awareness and what ever information I can, to the "OTR Driver".

The morning after completing my runs for the week and home for my typical three day weekend. I woke up feeling cramps in my leg (calf area). I went out to mow, thinking I needed to stretch my legs out and put in some good physical activity. Days past, still felt an undescribable aching (perception anyway, right..to all pain is different). After another weekly run, I then make an appt with an "Internest" (suppose to be more educated than a General Practioner Dr.), He expresses concern and sends me to the emergency room. After spending all night in the emergency room and having sonograms performed, I am assured that their initial concern of my having a clot in the calf area did not exist and also explained the urgency of their actions in fear of a clots existance and what would happen if not discovered.....I would not be here today, writing this for you.

Several weekly runs pass. Aching, pain remains, I continue the pain pills at night and anti-inflamatory medicine, I am taking several breaks to get out of the truck. Doing all the things I believed necessary. Several events with Doctors's and my employer took place but I will shorten this writing by saying: Drivers should be checked by a "Vascular Doctor". I have now learned, the equipement used to diagnose can vary, giving the ability to provided more or less accurate results. My results: Blood Clot, exactly where the emergency room doctor had informed "they would be very concerned had one been there".

I was wheel chaired into the hospital, (thought I was only attending my scheduled Dr. Appointment). The medication began before they brought the wheel chair.

I am not sure what my total in medical bills after iinsurance are yet and now trying to determine if I am suppose to file workman's comp. or short term disability. As of this moment, I have not received enough information to figure all his out. I have only come to the point of amazement that I have never learned of this life threatening possibility earlier in my career and that there are know requirments in place that drivers be educated on this "work hazard or disease?". and what preventive measures can be taken to reduce the occurance.

I know how it is out on the road, I have a family and I thought I could do it all myself. I know the the shippers and receivers take a lot of our "hours of service" but it's not worth your life. I know that nobody wants to drive thru Atlanta at 5 in the afternoon so we just keep on driving to beat the rush, been there done that. Please take several breaks, elevate your legs when possible, see a vascular Dr. if something just does not feel right, inquire about "compression socks" (by prescription).