Hey all. Lookin to start trucking, know a guy and his wife that have done it for 15 years. I have a few questions. I had back surgery in 09 and was given a clean bill of health a few years ago, no lifting restrictions or anything like that Im currently taking paroxetine, which is generic Paxil. Is this going to be a problem? I was depressed a couple years ago but I'm fine now. I've also been diagnosed with add and have in the past had problems with OCD and anxiety. Is any of this going to be a problem and way other companies could I go for? I'm currently looking at prime, cr England, roehl and crst I live near Milwaukee, WI for those that will ask where I live
A friend was turned down for trucking when he said he has ADD. I told him to try again with a different company and don't mention ANYTHING about ADD or depression or they will slam the door in his face. He laid off the meds for 30 days, and was hired at next interview by another company. Paxil is something you probably shouldn't quit for even a few days & I don't know if it would show up on a drug/blood/urine test. My philosophy is, "one doesn't have to lie, but it's OK to withhold information." As far as your back, you may or may not be required to prove you're OK during a DOT physical, and company check. For example, some company may require you to pick up 25 pounds, 5 times to show you're OK; that's just an example. Good luck.
Paxil is a drug that you can wean yourself off of, and it takes about 6 weeks to wean yourself off of it. When they do drug tests they are looking for cocaine, heroin, thc, and other narcotics, but they will ask you before you take a drug test if you take any prescribed medications that will show up in your urine. There are drivers out there that have to take blood pressure medicine in order to control their blood pressure to pass the dot physical, and get a 2 year medical card. They can't stop their medications in fear of having high blood pressure, so they just list the medication they take before taking the drug test. I just have never understood why drivers are exempt from the American Disability Act because ADD/ADHD/and OCD are a disability that must be controlled with medication, and shouldn't be held against you when you are trying to find a job.
It depends upon the physician doing the DOT physical, and the severity of the high blood pressure. Some will issue a one year card and some will issue a 2 year card. Most drivers get a 2 year card from the physician.
You need to get off the Paxil, it's probably not helping you anymore anyway. You're just taking it to stave off the nasty withdrawal symptoms. Cut your dose back 25% per week for the next 4 weeks. You wouldn't tell them you're on an ssri or anything about anxiety and OCD; they wouldn't hire you. They don't test for it, but if they found out some how you'd be sent packing. If you find life to be too challenging without Paxil, you might want to consider something besides trucking. Here's the risk. If you're in an accident and someone gets hurt and the lawyers find out you were on Paxil, they'll have a very strong case against you. Just get off it, and THEN consider whether you have the constitution and patience it takes to be an OTR trucker. You'll find you probably do.
yep im off the paxil, stopped takin it a few days ago. im looking into millis transfer and it looks really good right now. just trying to get into the best company i can, cuz i got bills to pay like everyone else, and ive never driven manual
