Possible Vertigo, Will I Be Able To Pass A DOT Physical?

Hi Everyone,

I have a question I hope someone can help me with. I had my CDL about 20 years ago and let it go (stupid I know), now I want to get back into trucking and have to jump through all the hoops again.

My question is would I be able to still pass a DOT physical if I had a bout of dizziness about a year and a half ago? I was home at the time and got up from my chair and all of a sudden the room started spinning. My wife panicked and called the ambulance. We get to the ER and the doctors aren't sure what caused it, they say it may have been vertigo. I've never had this happen before or since, but now it's on my medical file that I may have experienced vertigo. They prescribed two meds to take, but I've never taken them and never had to. I'm in great shape other than this incident. Just seeing if anyone has been through something similar and was still able to drive. Thanks in advance.

We would NEVER TELL ANYONE TO LIE on a DOT Medical Exam.

That being said - one "un-diagnosible case" of the spins a year and a half ago with NO RECURRENCES? Prescribed meds but have NEVER TAKEN THEM?

Were you OK by the time the ambo got there? Were you still "spinning" when you got to the hospital? Were you spinning when you left?

"May have been vertigo" - is a lot different from a DIAGNOSIS OF VERTIGO.

You could have been dehydrated, had an inner ear infection, tired from lack of sleep - there's a MILLION THINGS that could have caused you to get the spins.

IF - you have not had a diagnosis. Had seen an ENT (Ear Nose Throat specialist), and not gotten a diagnosis. Have not had it happen again. Did not take the meds for it.

Do you have ANY OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS? Are you ON ANY OTHER MEDS (were you at the time - certain meds can give you the spins too - especially BP meds).

I wouldn't worry about it - and since you didn't get AN ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS, I don't know that I'd even mention it. There's a difference between an "ongoing diagnosed vertigo" that resolves itself with meds, or is controlled by meds - and a case of the spins that a hysterical wife drags you to the ER for (that turns out to be NOTHING).

Rick

Thanks for the reply Rick.

I definitely wouldn't lie on the DOT exam, but it's been so long since I've taken one, I just wasn't sure if I'd pass one with vertigo on my medical record. I was still dizzy when the medics came and I puked a bit, but once I got to the hospital they did give me something through an IV that made me really tired. They watched me for about an hour or so, did their tests then released me with the prescription. They said all the tests came back fine (CAT scan, MRI) so they said they thought I experienced vertigo. I wasn't on any meds, my blood pressure is normal (I run about 4-5 miles a day) so I was stumped as to what was happening. Anyway, thanks again!

As I mentioned.

A one time occurrence of the spins - with clean diagnostic testing and no recurrences, no meds.

Sounds like it might have been an occurrence of BPV - Benign Positional Vertigo.

Could be a symptom of many number of things - but it's not a chronic condition - so I wouldn't worry about it. If it happened MORE THAN ONCE, or 3 or 4 times - or constantly and the only way to manage it was with meds, then it's something to worry about reporting - and typically the meds they give you for it aren't going to be allowed for CDL Drivers.

If I had to report every symptom, of ever illness I might have thought I had - I'd be wheelchair-bound and on disability.

If you DO CHOOSE TO REPORT IT - you are going to have to back it up with a FULL MEDICAL REPORT FROM A SPECIALIST, clearing you to drive (did you follow up with a specialist?) - and it is STILL AT the Company/Medical Examiners discretion whether to issue a Medical Certificate, or allow you employment.

Rick

Remember - VERTIGO is a SYMPTOM - not a DIAGNOSIS. If no underlying cause was found - then you just got dizzy once.

If you get DIZZY SPELLS I'd worry about it.

If you came off your 5 mile run - didn't properly hydrate, sat down for a few minutes and got up fast, you'd get the spins.

See where I'm going with this?

Rick

I hear you, thanks again bud I appreciate all the feedback.

-Lee