Hernia

Freebird here… Hello Friends., I’ve been talking with ROEYL Transport, I really like there set up on training, Very excited.. I’m set to take cdl-a permit on October 10 th, ROEYL will set up my DOT physical. Here’s my question. To ya…. I went to my primary dr to do a physical, I’m 54 years old I have the classic pot belly, lol… have been exercising at least 30 minutes on my wife’s bike every other day… so my dr said I have high blood pressure it’s been 185/116, to 170/100… so my fr upped the dose.. I’ve had high blood pressure approximately 5 years but controlled by med. then he found a hernia in my stomach, which never bothers me , I’m doing plumbing I lift tools , pipe, wares heaters etc.. my dr stated that he wants to see me In a month.. and I’m supposed to keep a record of my blood pressure.. so I’m concerned now about passing dot physical.. should I or should I not tell my recruiter that I need to move my dot physical and cdla permit test to another date do to high blood pressure and stomach hernia… My wife said not to tell her … But I need your advice…How to handle this… this really sucks … the stomach hernia does not bother me I still do my job plumbing every day… Will I be able to still work as a OTR trucker… or will I be disqualified? Ty

Yes you tell your recruiter. You will need to put any training out into the future until you get that blood pressure down. You will not pass your DOT physical because it has to be no more than 140/80. So the fact that your numbers are considerably higher you can't proceed until it's down. The guys will have to answer on the hernia, but in this business especially starting out, you need to be up front about health issues.

Laura

You better tell the recruiter. You arrive there and Roehl performs another physical. Fail that one, and it's a trip back home on your dime, and a whole bunch of wasted time on everyone's behalf.

Why are your BP numbers so high after five years on medication? Upping the dosage does not fix the problem; it masks the symptoms.

Yes you tell your recruiter. You will need to put any training out into the future until you get that blood pressure down. You will not pass your DOT physical because it has to be no more than 140/80. So the fact that your numbers are considerably higher you can't proceed until it's down. The guys will have to answer on the hernia, but in this business especially starting out, you need to be up front about health issues.

Laura

My mistake.... 140/90 is what yours needs to get down to.

Laura

Ok I’ll call today, thank you.. I need to listen to my wife more ….had my dr here for 3 years so we had built a good relationship and he had me on 2 blood pressure meds and my company switched health insurance co. So I got another dr.. He wanted to switch me to 1- and a different brand so He put me on 25mg that’s was 6 months ago . This week he bumped me up to 50 mg loSartan. He’s the Dr. So I listen and went along with it. I did not know raising it from 25 to 50 masks it… The reason my dentist took my b/p it’s was high last 3 times I’ve been in to dentist last week and a half.other than that I never check it that’s what got this ball rolling…so I’ll call my recruiter today .. I’ll be calling my dr.. thank to yo both…last is my stomach hernia gonna be a problem?

FreeBird, those BP numbers are dangerously high. Even more important than the BP meds would be lifestyle/diet changed for the sake of your health. If you only exercise every other day, it’s not enough. And you can go to the internet and learn about dietary changes that will help you cut down on the pot belly and get better BP numbers.

As for the hernia, I don’t know the answer as this is the first time I’ve seen it brought up. Does it affect your ability to lift? Many companies will want to see that you can lift 40 to 50 lbs.

Take care of that BP before you start the added stress of becoming a truck driver. You're a heart attack in waiting. Nobody just "has high numbers" or "it's always been high." Something is causing this. Usually it's what one eats, their lifestyle or both. Pills just mask the problem. Fix it without meds and doctors. Take care of your heart because most only get one chance.

Things guys and gal… I have a dr appt today at 4 see where this goes… I move. Around all the time crawl spaces. up to attics , running pipe , so I’m very physical…. So I’ll see what he says. I was 300 it’s I’m down to 256 so even though I’m doing exercise every other day I’m getting there… Ty to you all it helps to have you here to answer questions like this.. and I did speak with my recruiter and alls good …just need to work on this and I’ll be back…. Can’t keep a good man down….later

Thanks, guys and gal… I have a dr appt today at 4 see where this goes… I move. Around all the time crawl spaces. up to attics , running pipe , so I’m very physical…. So I’ll see what he says. I was 300 it’s I’m down to 256 so even though I’m doing exercise every other day I’m getting there… Ty to you all it helps to have you here to answer questions like this.. and I did speak with my recruiter and alls good …just need to work on this and I’ll be back…. Can’t keep a good man down….later

FreeBird;

Here's a few great blogs in our Trucker's Wiki, to read in the meantime, or after:

High B/P, and it's Affect on your Driving Career.

Blood Pressure, and the DOT Physical.

Six Ways to Lower your Blood Pressure for the DOT Physical.

Wish you well !

~ Anne ~