Not Getting Behind the Wheel for a While

I lost my wife 31 days ago. Was on home time when it happened, and I have not the will to go back out again.

I formally turned in my resignation two days after the memorial services. There is no way I could go back behind the wheel in the mental state I am in. To do so would be reckless and irresponsible of me. I go blank, numb, zeroed-out or whatever you want to call it. In other words I'm a safety issue.

My PCP has offered a prescription for the anxiety I get when I am not depressed. It is on the Schedules list of substances checked for in screening so I have deferred that decision until I get some clarification on how and what I would be going through if I tested positive for a legally prescribed controlled substance. I really don't want to wind up on the clearinghouse and deal with that nightmare.

Anybody out here had to deal with being legally prescribed a controlled substance while under the drug testing regulations? I have zero intentions of doing any CDL regulated driving for several more months. Hopefully by then I will not need them as I deal with this, but the fact that I am not driving does not excuse me from testing. Then there is the pre-employment drug testing and hair follicle testing to deal with when the time comes.

I need some guidance on this.

Thank yall!

 

Sorry for your loss. @Moose1958 can probably answer your question.

 

It's legally OK to take prescribed meds, you just can't operate a CMV until a medical examiner OKs it.

While I have not suffered such a close loss, I do know how hard depression is to beat. For me, it took a long while. I was forced to retire Dec of 2012. Because of careful financial planning, I was able to retire, but I still miss it.

 

Your company might allow you to take a leave of absence without resigning. Your job will still be there after a few weeks or months, whatever time period you need for the LOA, but you won't lose any of your seniority, vacation time, and things of that sort when you go back. You'll have to pay the premiums on your health and dental insurance or you'll lose the coverage. Something to consider if the job is one you want to go back to. If not maybe resigning is better.

 

Don't forget, if it takes longer than when your medical card expires, self declare intrastate exempt. You won't be able to drive, but your CDL won't be downgraded.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss man.

 

Check out the guidelines for FMLA. Contact your ‘former’ employer and notify them your resignation was ‘under duress’ and you are rescinding your resignation. Contact an employment lawyer to protect yourself, it may be too late, but worth a shot.

 

Sorry for your loss but I would not be dependent on drugs, find a group to talk to, it is far better.

 

If you are prescribed meds you can take all the drug tests you like. However if the drug will effect driving you should not be driving until you are well enough to get back out there. IF you get randomed while on prescribed meds, the MRO will call you if your test comes back with controlled substances in them. You provide the MRO with the medical information / prescription and as far as they care its the end of it. However common courtesy and lots of company requirements will not allow you to driver for THEM while under the effects of certain drugs. Most of it is common sense.

 

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Please don't make mojor decision now. It sounds like resigning was the best thing to do. If you stopped driving and you are prescribed anything under doctor's care, just make sure your medication is ALWAYS in the prescription bottle with your name on it. I don't think you will get called for a random test after you resign. And if the meds were prescribed and you list them and the doctor's info, I don't see it being a problem. I would not get a new medical exam, and maybe you forget you were briefly on the meds by the next time you get a medical card, assuming you stop taking them long before your exam.

You don't have to decide everything right now.

 

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions!

I have no intention of being under the influence of a legally prescribed controlled substance when behind the wheel. I'm sorry I might have hinted that I would.

I'm not going back into trucking until after the holidays, and the idea behind the prescription is to have it handy when I get all out of whack and can't get calmed down. This is a hell I would not wish on anyone.

I do my OTR days are done. My son just turned 20 and he begged me not to go back out. I'll find something local. Everything changed when she passed away.