Anxiety Medications

I’ve read a lot of previous topics but none that currently fit my situation so sorry if this is a repeat. Anyway, I’ve been driving for 3 years. Squeaky clean records and all that good stuff. I quit otr about a year ago to go local and I love it. Anyway, I’m currently in behavioral therapy and after about a years worth of sessions, my therapist finally suggested medication. She suggested I talk to a psychiatrist about medication for anxiety. I have no issue with medication as I’ve tried all my other options through therapy. All the other posts about this subject seem to be from people trying to get their CDL’s. I already have mine and am employed. I’m wondering how I should go about this. I need a step by step on how to get on a medication that is safe to drive on that won’t have me out of work for an extended period, going back and forth to a doctor to get off of medical hold. I haven’t been taking any medications but I do feel like it would help a lot, so from another driver genuinely looking for some relief, is there anyone who has gone through this and knows the most efficient way to get it done? Or am I just stuck trying to meditate my way through my screwed up life because otherwise I’ll lose my livelihood? Thanks in advance!

I’ve read a lot of previous topics but none that currently fit my situation so sorry if this is a repeat. Anyway, I’ve been driving for 3 years. Squeaky clean records and all that good stuff. I quit otr about a year ago to go local and I love it. Anyway, I’m currently in behavioral therapy and after about a years worth of sessions, my therapist finally suggested medication. She suggested I talk to a psychiatrist about medication for anxiety. I have no issue with medication as I’ve tried all my other options through therapy. All the other posts about this subject seem to be from people trying to get their CDL’s. I already have mine and am employed. I’m wondering how I should go about this. I need a step by step on how to get on a medication that is safe to drive on that won’t have me out of work for an extended period, going back and forth to a doctor to get off of medical hold. I haven’t been taking any medications but I do feel like it would help a lot, so from another driver genuinely looking for some relief, is there anyone who has gone through this and knows the most efficient way to get it done? Or am I just stuck trying to meditate my way through my screwed up life because otherwise I’ll lose my livelihood? Thanks in advance!

Howdy, Big Jilm, and welcome to Trucking Truth!!

First and foremost, does YOUR company have a list of banned prescriptions? I know Prime does, and it's VERY strict; you can find the list by searching the 'Prime' tag, and/or Truckin' Along with Kearsey. There's maybe THREE things, they allow.

OTHER companies, however ... exercise their OWN flexibility, within the realms of the FMCSA , of course.

Want to see how confusing this can be?!?!? Legal Meds for FMCSA/Gov't Employment Acceptability.

It almost makes more sense to start with your company, and work backwards.

In addition, if your two doctors are sharing information regarding your anxiety, is there any chance that:

a.) One is a DOT certified physician?

b.) You could GET your DOT physician, who gave you the card, in the mix with those two?

This is just 'my' suggestions, good sir. This stuff can get 'askew' .. really fast!

Wish you the best, good sir~

~ Anne ~

ps: Here's THAT list, btw! National Registry of CME's

Hello BJ, welcome! I love your avatar of the dog.

The forum is not just for beginners. Many seasoned drivers participate, asking and answering questions. Your question is a good one. When I first started driving I had been taking a small dose of Effexor everyday (Generic: Venlafaxine) . This was prescribed by my doctor for fatigue but it also definitely lowered my anxiety level. Effexor is called Prozac with a punch. When I went to work for a company I disclosed, as required, any prescription medication and Venlafaxine was one of the few I took. I was asked about this and had to get a letter from my doctor stating that I wasn’t taking it for depression, which I wasn’t. That’s the last I heard about the issue. About a year ago I used up my supply and didn’t get the prescription renewed and I’m fine without it.

Of course, this is just my experience and you need to make your decisions in conjunction with your doctor. Good luck solving this problem.

Or am I just stuck trying to meditate my way through my screwed up life because otherwise I’ll lose my livelihood? Thanks in advance!

ps: 2020 did a NUMBER, on MANY of us .... don't be so hard on yourself.

pps: Still meditate .... no MATTER what. It's one of my best vices, even at my old age.

ppps: LET US know, what gives; don't be shy. Yours is a TOTALLY legit question and situation. I meant to 'keep typing' and my daggone 'send' pinky got the best of me. Apologize. All the above, as well...certainly!

~ Anne ~

Thanks everyone for the feedback and goodwill. What I’m getting is that 1) depression is a no go. And that’s not what I’m dealing with thankfully. 2) I was asked if can coordinate with my medical examiner. Last dot physical I went in for was at one of those “minute clinics”, I do not have a PCP and even if I did, not sure this pcp would even be familiar with DOT. Where would I find one of those? 3) I should definitely call hr for my carrier and see if they have a list of approved medications before I do anything. I don’t want a psychiatrist to prescribe anything I can’t actually take. 4) when I do get the correct green lights from my carrier and a physician, is it typical to just call hr again and update the prescriptions I’m taking?

I want to do this while still having a bit of privacy but I also don’t want to seek treatment for my anxiety and end up losing my career over it. Sorry for the long response. Just trying to put together a game plan so it doesn’t come to bite me in the ass. It’s all gotta be above board for me.

That’s Lucy! She was my road dog for a couple years but loves just being a lazy sausage dog at the apartment while I’m at work these days. Honestly wouldn’t have made it through otr or even my probationary period as a new driver without her.

Hello BJ, welcome! I love your avatar of the dog.

The forum is not just for beginners. Many seasoned drivers participate, asking and answering questions. Your question is a good one. When I first started driving I had been taking a small dose of Effexor everyday (Generic: Venlafaxine) . This was prescribed by my doctor for fatigue but it also definitely lowered my anxiety level. Effexor is called Prozac with a punch. When I went to work for a company I disclosed, as required, any prescription medication and Venlafaxine was one of the few I took. I was asked about this and had to get a letter from my doctor stating that I wasn’t taking it for depression, which I wasn’t. That’s the last I heard about the issue. About a year ago I used up my supply and didn’t get the prescription renewed and I’m fine without it.

Of course, this is just my experience and you need to make your decisions in conjunction with your doctor. Good luck solving this problem.

I do not have a PCP and even if I did, not sure this pcp would even be familiar with DOT. Where would I find one of those?

It's the post script in my FIRST post; quite valuable! "National Registry of CME's." You'll want to adhere to that, since the new mandates came out on 02/07/2002 ... look up ELDT'S for that date, if you have time. I think the link I attached will be your go to!

Okay, .. again, for aesthetics, LoL! National Registry of CME's and Requirements~

Wish you well, man.

~ Anne ~

ps: Lucy is awesome!! A ride along puppers is a GO TO idea, if and when permitted. I wouldn't do WITHOUT, myself! Example:

We are getting some great topics and posts about dogs. Anne, your cartoon is picture perfect! I love it!

Just wondering if getting a second opinion from another doctor or therapist might be something to consider, perhaps an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment.

Have you considered 'somatic experiencing' therapy for your anxiety? My ex-wife is a therapist who started practicing behaviorial therapy, but nowadays finds somatic experiencing to be much more effective for something like anxiety. Cognitive behaviorial therapy, by focusing on working with thoughts, is very "cortical", but anxiety is much more of a "subcortical" process that can be better accessed using a somatic approach.