Starting A Truck Career With Anxiety?

Popcorn aside...

And at the risk of repeating myself.

Certain drugs are SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED by FMCSA Regs. Some aren't. Those that AREN'T, need a Physicians Statement.

THIS STILL DOES NOT MEAN A COMPANY WILL TAKE YOU ON ANY SPECIFIC MEDICATION - doctors letter or not - NOR ARE THEY REQUIRED TO.

There's a difference between a DOT MEDICAL EXAM (and card) and the COMPANY PHYSICAL. In most cases we see here, for new entrants into the industry (Swift, Prime, etc.) - the COMPANY/DOT PHYSICALS ARE COMBINED.

It is AT THE COMPANY'S SOLE DISCRETION, whether to hire someone on ANY MEDICATION - regardless of whether you qualify for a DOT Medical Card (based on the rules). As it is at THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS SOLE DISCRETION, whether or not to issue a DOT Med Certificate - even with a Physicians Letter.

There are certain meds a company WILL NOT HIRE A DRIVER if they taking these particular meds.

The company WILL NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THESE MEDS ARE. This is for fear of being sued for discriminating against an applicant based on their mental disability (if it does not otherwise preclude them from being issued a DOT Med Cert).

So even if effexor (for example) is acceptable under FMCSA Regs, and you can get a Med Card issued from the "clinic around the corner" - you may GET SENT HOME FROM ORIENTATION ANYWAYS for being on it.

We have had NUMEROUS INSTANCES where members here have had JUST THAT HAPPEN TO THEM. Sent home to be off the med for 30 days, and brought back again.

Also (as suggested earlier), you can try and make contact with THE CLINIC THAT DOES THE COMPANY PHYSICALS, and members here have gotten them to disclose whether the med they are on is acceptable or not.

I'm not going to get in a debate about GADS. It can range anywhere from slight anxiety, to CRIPPLING AGORAPHOBIA. Obviously, the worst end of the spectrum makes driving a truck, not the best career choice.

Rick

Go ahead and open both barrels, Ryan. You have piqued my curiosity. After spending the vast majority of my adult life in the military it takes a LOT to truly insult me.

Go ahead and open both barrels, Ryan. You have piqued my curiosity. After spending the vast majority of my adult life in the military it takes a LOT to truly insult me.

He's not worth it Patrick. If we simply quit enabling him, do not reply to his posts, the Troll will go away.

Instead of that drug talk to your doctorabout trying Lexapro if it is necessary to put you on medication for anxiety.I have passed my medical exam while taking it.It's use is for both depression and anxiety tho.

Instead of that drug talk to your doctorabout trying Lexapro if it is necessary to put you on medication for anxiety.I have passed my medical exam while taking it.It's use is for both depression and anxiety tho.

Effexor does both also: "Nerve pain medication and antidepressant. It can treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder."

Again - THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT WHETHER YOU CAN PASS A PHYSICAL (as in - the drug is not BANNED by FMSCA regs), but whether the drug is ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

I just renewed my med card at the local clinic that's done my original and renewal for the last 8 years. Least expensive guy in town ($30), in and out in 10 minutes (including the time it took to fill out the long form, and walk down the hall to pee in a cup). Essentially - if you have a pulse, can read the eye chart, BP in normal range, no sugar/etc in urine - this guy will pass you.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING.

Just because a drug is NOT ON THE FMSCA NO-FLY LIST, and you have a good doctors note - DOES NOT MEAN THE COMPANY ITSELF WILL BE OK WITH IT.

MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO TRY AND FIND OUT IF THE COMPANY ACCEPTS THE DRUG BEFORE GOING TO ORIENTATION.

The greyhound sucks to begin with - I'd hate to see ANYONE HERE have to ride it home for a month, then back again - because they thought they had their "ducks in a row", by having a doctor note (or even a DOT Med Card) in hand, from a NON COMPANY PHYSICAL.

I keep harping on this, because we've had a number of members here HAVE THAT HAPPEN TO THEM

Rick

My cousin was also suffering from anxiety last year. A patrol officer told him if you're suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety and depression but take medication for treatment, you may be ineligible for a Commercial Driver's License.

By the way, what treatment do you guys suggest for this situation? I know that only a doctor can diagnose such issues but I also believe in psychotherapy treatment.

The chance to NOT HAVE TO travel via the Grey Dog more than once should be motivation enough to find out 100% what meds a company will or will not pass before heading to orientation. The horror stories I could tell about Greyhound!

Instead of that drug talk to your doctorabout trying Lexapro if it is necessary to put you on medication for anxiety.I have passed my medical exam while taking it.It's use is for both depression and anxiety tho.

Effexor does both also: "Nerve pain medication and antidepressant. It can treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder."

Again - THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT WHETHER YOU CAN PASS A PHYSICAL (as in - the drug is not BANNED by FMSCA regs), but whether the drug is ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

I just renewed my med card at the local clinic that's done my original and renewal for the last 8 years. Least expensive guy in town ($30), in and out in 10 minutes (including the time it took to fill out the long form, and walk down the hall to pee in a cup). Essentially - if you have a pulse, can read the eye chart, BP in normal range, no sugar/etc in urine - this guy will pass you.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING.

Just because a drug is NOT ON THE FMSCA NO-FLY LIST, and you have a good doctors note - DOES NOT MEAN THE COMPANY ITSELF WILL BE OK WITH IT.

MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO TRY AND FIND OUT IF THE COMPANY ACCEPTS THE DRUG BEFORE GOING TO ORIENTATION.

The greyhound sucks to begin with - I'd hate to see ANYONE HERE have to ride it home for a month, then back again - because they thought they had their "ducks in a row", by having a doctor note (or even a DOT Med Card) in hand, from a NON COMPANY PHYSICAL.

I keep harping on this, because we've had a number of members here HAVE THAT HAPPEN TO THEM

Rick

One thing to keep in mind is that when starting SSRI usage, it is fairly standard to wait two-weeks minimum for initial side effects to stop. These side effects can be nothing or can be significant and dangerous in many work situations. Companies are fairly strict about forcing 2-4 week waiting periods after stopping usage, but seem lax about concerns when starting, which is problematic.

Even if allowed to drive when starting (which is generally wrong, but discuss with your doctor), keep in mind how you feel at first is not a good indicator of how you'll feel after a couple weeks or longer. Meaning, give them time to start working properly and see you are still a safe driver before giving up initially.

By the way, what treatment do you guys suggest for this situation? I know that only a doctor can diagnose such issues but I also believe in psychotherapy treatment.

https://www.healthline.com/health/somatic-experiencing