Are sleep meds legal to take?

I agree with you 95%. Never should a driver be under the influence of any altering substance. But as I showed the reference it is legal to be prescribed a narcotic of the Class 2 or Class 3 if it's done through a legal doctor. And as it stands now there are no laws that a company could try to use if the driver did go through the proper channels. The problem is the company can simply fire you for not telling them and the reason would be just that, you did not inform them. But if they come out and fire you for using a prescription it would be time to get a lawyer because you are back by the FMCSA.

 

A narcotic prescribed for sleep is legal. Driver must possess the prescription. (follow the instructions...)

 

Ah, I see what you mean. You know, the people who hire and fire people at most companies usually tend to not be exceptionally well-versed in the niche of employment law. Hence why so many companies get sued. It's likely that they wouldn't come out and fire one for using a prescription; they'd find some other "legitimate" reason to fire the person in question. "We notice you came in late a few times over the past 6 months, we have to fire you." Something along those lines. In any case, I still think that even if the company couldn't fire someone for taking an RX, if that driver was actually involved in a DOT recordable accident and was drug tested and tested positive, he could very well be in some legal trouble regardless of what the FMCSA says. I think in that case, it comes down to there not being any legitimate way to distinguish between if the driver has the metabolites in their system, and if the driver was actually under the influence of said medication at the time of the incident in question. It's all a very dicey area and I wouldn't touch it, I don't even drink beer in my work week because I don't want to compromise myself in that way.

 

All I can say about sleep problems after dealing with them for 10 years is medication is not the answer.

You have to get to the root of what is keeping you up or waking you from your sound sleep.

It is a screwed up deal having this problem and medication is not the answer.
STRESS whether you think you suffer from it or not is a huge factor.

I am the least stressed person you ever met and will let anything that is not life threatening roll off my shoulders.

But some how something built up in me over the years and decided it was important enough to wake me up in the middle of the night with panic attacks.

Once I learned to master the panic attacks with proper diet and set of mind I slowly overcame the sleep problems. It has been a long road , almost 10 years now , but I have nipped them in the butt.

Valium is a wonderful drug to overcome all these problems but they will make you a Zombie also as will most of the other drugs for sleep or anxiety.

If any one is suffering from it and would like any in depth help feel free to Pm me.

 

Problem with sleeping aids.
I found when it was time to be awake i still wanna sleep

Excersise helps

 

I sometimes use Benadryl... Cheap big bottle at Sam's Club is like 300ct for $10.

And actually, if you look at the ingredients panel many "PM" sleep aids (i.e. Tylenol PM) are simply Benadryl... At a much higher price.

Can take what you need to sleep, is not habit forming and helps with allergies too.

Sweet Dreams,
MD

PS whatever you take... Stay Safe

 

Well, that's my everyday routine... lol

 

Benadryl = diphenhydramine, really really bad stuff to take for sleep. It's actually an antihistamine. MELATONIN has worked amazing for me, the trick is you need to take it at the same time every night, 30 -45 minutes before bed. If your start time changes every single day, it might not do you justice for a regular regimen since it tends to program your sleep cycle.

 

I was told by the physician doing my medical certificate examination that I can take benedryl as long as it's 12 hours before the beginning of my shift.

 

Personally I do not want to sleep that hard. Makes it harder to shoot someone breaking into your truck. Just a thought....