Prescription Medications

Is it fair to scrutinize the ability to drive a big rig for folks with high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint problems, etc etc?

Of course it is, as their conditions have the chance to directly impact the safety of the driver and therefore can represent a danger to the public. I don't see why ADHD is any different. If it can be treated, or can be shown to have little or no impact, then have at it. I have no problem driving next to someone I know has been cleared, medically, even with those conditions.

But it is in no way unfair to question someone's ability to drive because of a physical condition, just as it isn't unfair to question the ability of someone to drive because of experience (or lack thereof,) or a prior criminal record.

Ask yourself this (and I mean you too, EOM.) If you were driving your family down the road and saw a co-workers truck ahead of you, would you feel safe passing him knowing he had an untreated heart condition? Sleep Apnea? A history of unsafe driving that he didn't disclose to the company (or got hired despite it?) How about ADHD?

Perfectly healthy truck drivers with good experience and no criminal history kill people every day through simple mistakes and the most minor of negligences. As you move further from that baseline the chances for an accident increase. It's simple statistics. It sucks when you are the individual caught on the crappy end of them, but that's what the govt looks at when making legislation, it's what the insurance companies look at when determining rates, and it's what companies look at when deciding to hire people. Numbers, pure and simple.

Again, if the condition is treatable and under control, then there really is no issue. But if there is no disclosure of the condition at the time of hiring, then you've just opened a gaping hole for any lawyer to waltz right in and pick you or your companies pockets.

Sorry that went so long, just tired of people constantly thinking that discrimination is ALWAYS a bad thing. There are times it saves lives.

 

Diabetics have a disability too and if they're insulin dependent, they can't drive a truck. It isn't about your rights...it's about safety.

 

I've been taking Adderall for 10 years. I've been driving a truck for 2. Adderall is NOT banned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the US Dept. of Transportation. You may STILL drive a truck while taking Adderall. However, I do want to make you aware of some things...

-Adderall will show up on your drug test as amphetamines. You will need to show proof that you have a prescription for Adderall to the diagnostic company running your drug test.
-Adderall will NOT cause you to fail your DOT physical, however, the DR. giving you the physical will want to know when you started taking the drug, when you were diagnosed and if you see your Primary Care Physician on a regular basis. They will want a letter from your PCP explaining that you are under their care, are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, are taking Adderall and suffer NO side effects that would prevent you from safely opperating a comercial vehicle. Here's the reason for this headache...Drivers are running into their DR's saying "oh no, i have ADD, give me drugs", then they use them to stay awake. Your medical examiner will probably fail your physical if you have been driving for 10 years and just started taking Adderall. You better have some proof of being diagnosed prior to getting your CDL. They won't make it easy for you the first time.
-Your medical card will only be good for one year rather than the standard 2 years.
-Do NOT take an Adderall the day you are going in for your physical. Adderall can slightly raise your blood pressure and increase your heart rate. If your heart rate is 100bpm or more, they will make you come back when the drug has worn off.
-I would not recommend taking Adderall XR (extended release) tabs. They are in your system for 12+ hours. I would take the regular tabs since they only last about 4-6 hours. This gives you better control of the drug (it's hard to sleep until it wears off).
-Since this is a controlled substance, you will not be able to get refills. You will physically have to pick up a hand written script from your DR every 30 days. So plan your home time accordingly. You won't be able to get it filled on the road or have it called in.

I hope this helps you out. It's funny, I just went in for my physical a couple days ago and found out that I can't take Chanitx anymore to quit smoking. If you drive a truck, bus, plane or train, you can't take Chantix to quit smoking. I was only given a temporary medical card until my Dr. sends a letter in saying he won't prescribe it for me anymore. Being on Chantix was more of a hassle then being on Adderall.

 

I work for A BEER DISTRIBUTING COMPANY OUT OF WI, I HAD A RANDOM ON WED AND GOT A VOICEMAIL TODAY ON TUES FROM FROM A DOCTOR FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE CLINIC WHERE I TOOK THE TEST , HAD MY PRESCRIPT TO ADDERal and xanax for two months now , and im twenty four had my cdl for almost two years i called back the dr..and they were closed why would he call me personally instead of just checking my prescription record. just concerned cause i cant find out what the hell he wants till tomorrow at 8 in the mornin..any one have any quick opinions on why he called?

 

also to mention that neither one of the two prescriptions effect my ability to drive but ultimately increases my outside family and homelife...

 

He might have to retest you for some reason. Usually if you test positive for something, the medical review officer calls you for an explanation from the lab itself. Which normally is a seperate place from where you took your test. The MRO wouldn't talk to anyone else until he talked with you.
If a sample come in to the lab damaged, he then might call that doctor to bring you in again for a retest. I never heard of a place that gathers samples and tests them too.

 

also he precribed me an antidepressant wich is also used to quit smoking bupropion wich is like zyban , now i heard chantix is prohibited now, by dot regulators wich i wonder has same ingrediant..wich would be fine cause the antidepressant make you worse anyways dont take it but im sure its in my system