Need Advice On Medications

Hi everyone. I have yet to drive for a company since getting my license with all endorsements but I just found out a medication my doctor put me on which I've only been using the last two months is on a list recommended that you are not re-certified. My question is can I just stop taking it and apply anyway without telling them? or do I have to wait 30 days for it to clear the system? My doctor knew what type of work I wanted to do but still prescribed it but now I am worried I won't be able to renew my med certification next year or even work for a company with this in my med file. My doctor refuses to give me a note stating what it is for and said it's up to DOT med examiner. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow and will tell him I want to stop it since it's not really essential just helps with TMJ pain. Advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

If your doctor will not give you any help as you said I would be looking for a new doctor. If it is something you need you will have to find a way to deal with DOT but keeping it a secret or just stopping taking it will only lead to bad ending for you in the long run. Do nit start a new job or career with a lie or falsehood. By getting a different doctor I mean to look for a second opinion not just going out and hunting down a doctor that will help cheat you through.

If your doctor will not give you any help as you said I would be looking for a new doctor. If it is something you need you will have to find a way to deal with DOT but keeping it a secret or just stopping taking it will only lead to bad ending for you in the long run. Do nit start a new job or career with a lie or falsehood. By getting a different doctor I mean to look for a second opinion not just going out and hunting down a doctor that will help cheat you through.

Thank you. Well I am waiting to hear back from the DOT med guy on what to do. It's not something I need to take and just wondering if I stopped taking it would I still have to mention it to the employer? or would they see it in urine anyway? It's only a first generation antidepressant I use for nerve pain in my Jaw. I take a very very low dose but it does make you a little sleepy which is why I take it right before bed.

Sounds to me like this guy’s “M.D.” should stand for “ Make Dollars”. I don’t think he has your best interests in mind, obviously. Get another doctor tomorrow. Once you do, explain the concerns and see what he advises. If you’re on a prohibitive medication without a doctors note as to why, you’re playing with fire in that if it is in fact discovered during a pre-employment drug screening, you will be nearly undesirable to any company. A failed drug test is the kiss of death. Talk with recruiters and see what they have to say about this particular medicine. High-octane ain’t killers generally do not mix well at all with a CDL or a medical certification card.

Sounds to me like this guy’s “M.D.” should stand for “ Make Dollars”. I don’t think he has your best interests in mind, obviously. Get another doctor tomorrow. Once you do, explain the concerns and see what he advises. If you’re on a prohibitive medication without a doctors note as to why, you’re playing with fire in that if it is in fact discovered during a pre-employment drug screening, you will be nearly undesirable to any company. A failed drug test is the kiss of death. Talk with recruiters and see what they have to say about this particular medicine. High-octane ain’t killers generally do not mix well at all with a CDL or a medical certification card.

The company I spoke to and mentioned it too said they wouldn't know for sure unless I go to the actual orientation and do the urine drug screening. I just now left a message with a new doctor and will get a second opinion. I don't know what else to tell my primary doctor when I see him tomorrow (the one who won't at least give me a note stating what the med is for).. I just don't know what to do. I told Schneider the other week and they were ****ed because it meant canceling with them again. So can no longer apply there but this other mega, like I said, wouldn't know unless I actually attend the orientation and disclose it on the paperwork.

Sounds to me like this guy’s “M.D.” should stand for “ Make Dollars”. I don’t think he has your best interests in mind, obviously. Get another doctor tomorrow. Once you do, explain the concerns and see what he advises. If you’re on a prohibitive medication without a doctors note as to why, you’re playing with fire in that if it is in fact discovered during a pre-employment drug screening, you will be nearly undesirable to any company. A failed drug test is the kiss of death. Talk with recruiters and see what they have to say about this particular medicine. High-octane ain’t killers generally do not mix well at all with a CDL or a medical certification card.

This is what the FMCSA states on this particular drug:

Recommend not to certify if: The driver: • Uses a first generation antidepressant. •Has treatment effects or side effects that interfere with safe driving. NOTE: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommendations favor not certifying the driver who uses a first generation tricyclic antidepressant stating that "only under exceptional circumstances would continuous use of amitriptyline be acceptable for a commercial driver."

Antidepressants for jaw pain? Ever try Advil or extra strength Tylenol?

Antidepressants for jaw pain? Ever try Advil or extra strength Tylenol?

Yes, some treat nerve pain and I had done my own research because my doctor just wasn't helping me. Kept thinking it was depression when it wasn't.. it was waking up with severe pain from grinding teeth = TMJ and also whenever I chew really chewy food it can trigger the headaches. I have tried Tylenol and while it sometimes work early on before it starts it never gets rid of the severe ones.

What if I stop taking it and start orientation next week. Would it show up in a urine test?

I have no idea if that would show up on a urinalysis or a hair follicle test. Some drugs take longer periods of time to be flushed from your body. It may only be hours, while others can be several months. A bigger issue is the fact that you must disclose all medications and supplements that you are currently, or recently, prescribed or taking. I do not see you getting a waiver or an antidepressant, but I’m not an authority on medical issues. Another thing is that each company will have their own hiring conditions concerning meds, and policies will vary.

Couple of things to add to the conversation.

1 - It would be a little more helpful if we knew which med we were talking about. Some companies are more forgiving of different meds than others - but for the most part - 1st gen tricyclics are typically no-no's because they can (and frequently do) cause drowsiness.

2 - If you've been on them for awhile, on a daily basis, you DO NOT just want to cease taking them. The "rebound effect" from sudden discontinuation of any psychotropic med (even if prescribed off label for pain, etc.) can have some serious effects in mood (like suicidal effects), so you need to be really careful and under your doctors care to do a sudden cessation of the medication. This is tough to gauge without knowing what it is you're taking.

3 - DOT Urine screens are the typical 5/10 panel - opiates, benzo's, weed, pcp, alcohol, amphetamines. Typically - psych meds that do not fall under the categories are not detected. Hair follicle tests can be way more in depth. DOT only REQUIRES testing for certain drugs, but companies may test for many others as a "pre-employment requirement", and this has more to do with potential liability issues of a medicated driver getting into an accident.

4 - If your doc won't give you a letter stating what the meds are FOR - then he is likely prescribing it in a non-approved application (off-label). Many meds end up having multiple applications, some not for psych diagnosis. And some of these are re-named for the different diagnosis - ex: Wellbutrin - psych diagnosis/Chantix - quit smoking - BOTH are the same drug formula. Or Lyrica - that's used to treat nerve pain and anxiety disorder. I'd be leery of a doc that won't document a prescribed med and the diagnosis it is being prescribed for.

5 - Many companies will not disclose what meds they won't approve for fear of being sued under the ADA (which covers mood disorders) for discrimination - but will bounce an applicant for being on the med at their physical for safety reasons. Over the years, the forum has pretty much figured out from experience of folks here, some of the drugs that are no-fly for companies - even though they are not prohibited by FMCSA. Companies will opt for safety (liability) rather than take on a driver that may have issues from drug side-effects.

Disclaimer: I am NOT A DOCTOR - just an obsessive researcher.

Rick