How much personal info do you share during a DoT physical?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TawcoTruck, Jan 19, 2023.

  1. Lexuslane

    Lexuslane Medium Load Member

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    Oh I agree that all the folks with health issues should be working to address those issues .

    they should NOT be discussing those issues with the person doing the DOT physical .

    the SHOULD be discussing those issues with their normal regular doctor , and they should be doing more than discussing them . They should be making lifestyle changes to address those issues .

    Most common health issues are related to being overweight , but some are genetic .

    and you have to use some common sense
    The latest federal govt food pyramid says froot loops cereal is better for you than eggs !
    Not sure how much it cost nabisco or Kelloggs or whoever makes fruit loops in bribes to get them to say that , but it’s laughable.
     
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  2. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    The other morning we stopped at Hardee's and I had a steak biscuit. My neighbor got a ham biscuit. Both of us were laughing we were taking weeks off our lives. I said it's more like a year or two for me when my daughter finds out and murders me!
     
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  3. oakster27

    oakster27 Bobtail Member

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    I've been off meds this last year, no longer have a prescription for them, but still have some left over. I'd like to take some before my physical, just for safety because I have white coat syndrome. If I don't tell them about the meds, will the urine sample reveal that I took them?
     
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    NO
     
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  5. oakster27

    oakster27 Bobtail Member

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    When filling out the medical history form, if you check yes for "do you have or have you ever had high blood pressure", does that automatically disqualify you from getting a 2 year card? Even if you don't currently have high blood pressure?
     
  6. ducnut

    ducnut Road Train Member

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    Don’t check it. Don’t offer anything, especially, anything questionable. If you’re questioning it, they’ll question it. Just don’t.
     
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  7. oakster27

    oakster27 Bobtail Member

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    Anyone know of a low pressure place where I can get a DOT physical in the Chicago/NW Indiana area, meaning somewhere that has more of an independent, small town vibe as opposed to the corporate Concentra type places. A type of place where the examiner might be a little more "lenient"?
     
  8. Lexuslane

    Lexuslane Medium Load Member

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    The “minute clinic “ at CVS pharmacy

    make an appointment online , and the drop down menu asking the nature of your visit has an option for DOT physical .

    and again, when getting the physical:
    No I don’t have a history of high blood pressure

    no I don’t have any trouble sleeping
    No I don’t have any history of sleep apnea
    Etc
    Do. NOT volunteer ANY thing that the nurse does not directly ask .

    Buy a home blood pressure checker , so you will know what’s normal for you .

    I always schedule my DOT physicals first thing in the morning at a cvs near my home , I used to Chug a bottle of water on the drive over to have ammo for the urine sample .

    One time I didn’t chug the water and my BP was 10 points lower .

    drinking a bottle of water right before , jacks my BP by ten Points

    I have verified this using my home blood pressure checker .

    Plus , they don’t need much for the urine sample , it’s just for them to dip it with the stick that checks for sugar and protein .

    If your passing a lot of sugar in your urine , you got diabetes, and that is a legitimate issue with passing your physical .




    i recently went to my normal doc for a routine visit ,
    They checked my BP and it was 135 / 75

    i told the nurse that seemed high , she replied: “ no, that’s normal “
    I said it’s high for me , can you do it again ?
    She took it again and it was 125 / 75
     
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  9. ducnut

    ducnut Road Train Member

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    Another alternative, which I use, is a chiropractor who is certified to do DOT physicals.
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Just remember if you get into an accident and it MAY be caused by a medical issue you have, the POS ambulance chasing lawyer will get ahold of the physical and your medical records by court order and if there is some things left out of the physical so the fun will begin with proof you lied on your physical and possibly unfit to drive.