Propranolol For Anxitey And HBP

Hello,

I am going through a career change and would like to get into trucking. The past 25 years I have been working for a large company that has drove my BP and anxiety though the roof and that is why I left. I am 45 years old and have been on BP meds for about 15 years as it runs in my family. I am 30 pounds over weight, have not been eating the greatest but somewhat watch what I eat as I love vegetables. I am taking propranolol and have a prescription for xanax. The xanax is for when I go out to large crowds which I rarely need, smallest dose pill broke in half. My question, is propranolol ok to pass the DOT? I know xanax is not so that needs to go. I am going to see my family doctor on the 20th. I would like to ditch all of this and get into better shape. Has anyone been able to kick all these meds, drop weight and pass the DOT?

I have also always had issues with my BP going up while sitting in the doctors office, I mean to the fact that the doctors start freaking out. When I take it at home it averages 145/80.

This website says the DOT needs to be 160/100 or below: https://www.dmv.com/id/idaho/dot-physicals

It kinda seems like this might not be a good job to go into retirement on? At 67 it seems someone has to be on some sort of meds?

Thanks!

Xanax is going to be OUT. And you want to be off it for awhile, in order to pass a Drug Screen, without having to get into a "detailed explanation" of your use. Xanax is a popular "abuse drug", so if you pop hot for it, you will be scrutinized - even with legitimate use.

Propranolol appears to get OK (as far as not being on a DOT Prohibited List), though it might be looked at by companies for its side effects.

BP needs to be less than 140/90. You can get a 3 (or 6) month Med Certification, so you can get your BP down under the limit with meds. Many people get "white coat fever", and spike a high BP at the doctors office from being nervous. There are a number of things you can do to reduce BP - and most doctors will allow you some "quiet time", to get calmed down and get your pressure down. BP under 140/90 with meds, will get you a 1 year DOT Med Cert, without meds a 2 year card.

Losing weight is ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

At one time - I was 307lbs (@ 5'5"). On 6 different meds for BP, Cholesterol & Diabetes - and about 6 months away from having to go on insulin. Went on a very strict diet - and lost 130lbs in 8 months. Got off all the meds, my bloodwork went back to normal. Soon as I start putting on weight, back on the BP meds.

If you get/keep the weight off, eat decently (which is difficult to do as an OTR trucker, without some effort), there's no reason to be on meds @ 67 - unless you are "genetically pre-disposed".

Rick