New CDL-A holder question

I'd vote for him.

 

@RedRover
@slash334

 

Seriously , you didn't think driving a 32k to 80k lbs WMD wouldn't be a drug sensitive stitsuation.
in addition to that if you need to take drugs for stress this isn't the vocation for you.

 

That narcotic has to stop.

If you are a pain patient like myself taking say Oxycodone in morphine equivilant of 80 to 140 mg a day, you WILL display DUI symptoms behind the wheel of a car or truck. Medicine affects everyone, but that narcotic stops now. You will need 6 to 9 months to clear it out and get clean. It only takes three to 5 days out of your urine, your withdrawls will last up to 10 days or more. You might not be in a condition to do anything for a while.

If it is a medicine for pain, it's going to have to stop.

It's ironic. To me here you are taking powerful medicine narcotic for little owies in life as needed (PRN) and you are about to come into a Industry where you will learn how much that spine is going to be on fire for a day after you moved 48,000 pounds of big boxes in 4 hours.

Your hair will need 9 months to clear the narcotic. (Mine will take over a year because ive taken a variety for a decade or more)

My information is based on what little I know of the situation versus trucking. I have several other problems medically from wear and tear related issues that bar me from DOT qualification rest of my life. I can share what I know of medicine and what i know of cars and trucks vs DUI while medicated with a narcotic or a Schedule one drug (Which is a automatic ban for any driving particularly CDL such as Pot)

If I took medicine a certain way and tried to drive while DUI, the police would arrest me very quickly. No arguement. And to do with a BIG truck??? NO WAY. #### thing will get away and kill people.

Im not being mean. When people take narcotic, they are adding a substance that interferes with the brain's actual ability to communicate, control several systems in your entire physical body. One of those systems is your CNS system. When there is sufficient narcotic onboard you literally go nod off to sleep. Disconnected from the actual real world. Which is why they work the way they do.

What you brain will do is flood you with receptors to drown the medicine and flush it from your body. So as long you apply enough drug in large amounts back to sleep you go or somewhere in between. Too much? you simply die when your automatic breathing system fails to continue function.

Take away the drugs, wait about 30 hours. Brain suddenly realizes it got way too much receptors and pathways. You become in trouble. Temp goes nuts, BP goes crazy and other body systems struggle to sync. For some they become actual dope sick. What if you cannot get to your doctor because your dispatcher sent you to timbuktu and you cannot get your required monthly or bi monthly paper script? If you have a narcotic, it is likely you have a pain doctor involved in your care. Most all family doctors and walk in ER clinics DO NOT prescribe narcotics period.

Most people in life working hard do not take narcotics. What they will do is take a 5th of strong drink now and then of something nice at night before bed or perhaps have a smoke. Or apply lidocane over the counter for that shoulder or something. OR whatever. There has been in recent years a flood of prescription medicine in west virginia down into the deep south where we are. It's particualrly vicious. In addiction among other things. It's being controlled very severely by the State at all levels. And most patients who recieve the medicine have limitations on what they can do such as driving per law (DUI etc.)

That endeth my little quick lesson on medicine.

So. My advice, Put away the pills, wait 6 months dont take anymore of anything. if you hurt too much, this is not the industry for you.

 

I'll just put it this way. This can be a highly successful job and it can be like that for weeks or longer. If you need drugs for anxiety issues this isn't the job for you.
Especially since some days are like a roller coaster.

 

You cannot have anti anxiety class medicine.

However. DOT will issue a case by case certificate for your specific Lexpro otherwise this link shows in 2010 that DOT wants to really seriously clamp down on that kind of activity as they have and extremely choose who they allow to drive. You need to show 12 months of stable.

The rules I worked under for my life has been.. changing or loosening up quite a bit. Anti Anxiety on the road is a condrundum. You are going to experience a great deal of anxiety in many ways out there with a big truck. Some of it outright fight and flight body functions once a year or so.

I suggest no medicines whatsoever. You need to be sharp of mind and nerve when you are coming up on a single lane at 70 in a storm with that dog on your 5th wheel wagging your tractor out of line...

DOT to allow truck drivers to drive while on antidepressants

 

Legally speaking you can drive on virtually any medication (other than anti-seizure meds) with a doctors exemption. This isn't hard to get. Call the prescribing doctor and request a form stating you are safe to drive a commercial vehicle and the meds will not impact your ability to do so.

The problem you'll have after that is simply finding a company that will honor your exemption because it is up to their discretion. Call around. Check with union companies.