Prescription Meds????

Do not even think about driving a truck. No they are not allowed by either DOT or any reputable company.

 

trucks and prescription pain killers is no good

 

Don't even think about hiding them. All it takes is one drunk to run into you and the next thing you know you're being drug tested and the tides turn.

I would seek corrective surgery or other means to relieve the pain. I use a tens unit now. It works as good as the pain killers. It's a pain putting it on!

 

If your doctor has advised you that they will not affect your ability to drive a commercial vehicle, and you have a valid, current prescription, depending on what the medicine is, if you test positive for it during the DOT 5 panel drug screen, a MRO with the lab will contact you and validate that you have a legit prescription and can take them without being impaired (based on your doctors statement). Once that occurs, the positive test will be reported to the employer as negative.

This doesn't mean that you should lie to your carrier. You need to disclose the meds, and your injuries, which could possibly disqualify you from being hired.

Contrary to popular belief, they are allowed by DOT, and some carriers. Most mega carriers are strict though, and will require you to not take them during your employment in a safety sensitive position. If you are injured during employment many carriers will place you on medical leave during the time you must take the meds.

There is a big thread on this forum about drug testing, which has some relevant dialogue which you may find interesting. Use the forum search function to find it. Good luck, be safe.

 

Those are key words but you won't find a doctor to accept liability and write a note that it's okay to take a narcotic and drive an 80,000 lb vehicle. It's his butt too. Plus you have to disclose it on the DOT physical and he definitely won't approve it. Even if you showed him your primary care's physicians note.

 

I used to take one for my knee and was cleared for driving by DOT doctor. I was specifically instructed to take it at start of full 10 hr break and rest of time I had 800mg ibuprofen. I used a low dose blended narcotic which you might be able to do.

What might hold you back is slipped disc. Doctor will find that during physical since most physicals are now checking for that along with physical strength, agility, and endurance testing. My last physical the doctor had me bend over and he pushed his hand down my spine. My brother works across the country for another company and his did same thing.

Physicals are getting way more strict than they used to be.

 

There used to be a list on DOT website that listed what you could take and not take with the driving restrictions. I gave copy to my doctor once, but now I can't locate. You can probably Google the list better than I can with my phone.

 

Hold off on the surgery, people. Here's something that could replace the pain pills and get you back to normal. I worked with his materials and got over horrible back pain. Woke up one morning and could have done sommersaults like a 5 year old.

Howard Stern, in his own inimitible style, is a HUGE fan-- the doctor cured his back pain and OCD. No meds. No surgery.

His name is Dr. John Sarno. He's a physician on staff at New York University. His best book so far is The Mind-Body Prescription. It worked for me and gave me my life back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYIOOURMuS0&feature=related is a piece with Howard Stern.

In the piece above, Howard references an interview/story with Dr Sarno that John Stossel did when he was on ABC's 20-20. That piece is worthwhile in terms of an explanation of the process but Howard is Howard, isn't he??!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqsYQuA5I6g&feature=related

Both Stossel and Stern are former patients, along with thousands of relieved people.

Check it out. His book(Mind-body Prescription) works quite well if you work with it religiously.

Hope this helps. It did me -- and it won't keep you off the truck.