Anxiety Before Training Even Starts
Topic 33967 | Page 1
Hello Chris.
This issue is common and has been discussed in detail on this forum. Try typing “blood pressure” into the search bar and seeing what comes up.
Try to relax as much as possible before the test. Drink quite a lot of water. This will also help you for the pee test. Research this on the internet using Google.
I’m sure you will get other suggestions from other members.
And don’t let a pretty girl administer the test. Lol.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Hello Chris!
Welcome to trucking, and to our forum. Don't sweat this small detail. Hundreds of thousands of truckers are on blood pressure meds. The industry runs on them.
Just get your doctor to help you get it regulated to an acceptable level and you'll be good to go.
You may find the following information to be helpful.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
When I go to my primary doctor my blood pressure is good. However when I go for my DOT Physical it's frequently on the edge of what's acceptable. In the event it comes back too high they'll have you lay down for roughly 5 minutes with the lights off to relax. Unless it is very high you may be given either a 1 year card or a one time 3 month card.
I have sleep apnea and use CPAP so I'm stuck with yearly physicals but I still get anxious knowing that I may be told I can't drive anymore. Speaking of which, if you're a bigger guy you may get forced to do a sleep study for sleep apnea. Many doctors (and companies) screen drivers due to BMI or neck size. My advice is just relax. Worst case scenario you're told you need to get blood pressure meds to lower it which would be very beneficial for your health if your BP is too high.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
"White Coat Fever" lol My BP would be at the limit usually when I went for physicals. I'm a big guy by my frame, was at like 267 @ 6 ft. Dropped around 35+ pounds when I driving by eating healthier foods, than the fast food junk. Used to test myself while smoking and drinking coffee, all 3 setting on tester, and was always in the good range, yet not at DR's?? hmmmmm Thinking from over thinking it and the anxiety effect made it rise....
I've always had an 18" neck since around 15-16 when I started to fill out from a toothpick kid. I snore, smoke etc, but I've snored all my life, mom used to tell me "How the hell do you sleep with that snore?.....DUH mom I'm asleep lol I've heard me recorded snoring WOW I sounded like some alien monster!
Before going I'd eat bunch of bananas I did have 5 mg BP pills too, I'd take over a weekend before my visit to clinic. No problems, once the nurse was going to measure my neck, I told her "Oh no we ain't goin' there, my necks 18" and always has been, don't waste your time"
Chris, just relax and try not to stress over it, that too will raise your BP..... Good luck, maybe see your doctor first for a check up to know for SURE!
Chris, Stevo mentioned bananas because of their potassium content. You can get potassium tablets prescribed by your doctor. It’s the only BP med I take and it seems to be effective.
I'll start off by saying, my name is Chris. I've been a mechanic most of my life but decided that I want to go in a different direction and pursue trucking. I got my permit and offer of employment from a company in michigan. I've been a big guy my entire life and I'm really worried that my blood pressure will be an issue during my DOT physical. Has anyone else had this concern but still worked out in the end? Thank you.
Avoid caffeine. Exercise is good for you. Drink lots of water. Beet root capsules have helped me a lot. Make sure you get good sleep. If you end up taking blood pressure medication DO NOT take beet root.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Chris, I've suffered from high BP my whole life - from a skinny 165# 17 y/o all the way to now, as a middle aged spread 53 year old. It peaked January 2023 and I had to go to the emergency room, where I was put on a drip to reduce it. I was terrified and thought I'd die. My BP that day way 208 over 103 and I was having heart palpitations.
Being a dumb-ass proud man that I am, I thought Doctors were for pansies. This forced me to go see a Cardiologist. They did the full smog check, and found that my BP and Heart were fine. It was lack of proper sleep, a poor diet and stress. They put me on Candesartan, Bisoprolol and Statins.
My BP dropped dramatically almost immediately, now 12 months later it's a regular 130-140 over 65-75. I ran out of one of my meds and I had a DOT physical just this last Thursday. I was a bit stressed and my BP was initially 150 over 85. I explained and said I was nervous and I had already fully declared the meds I'm on (they are all approved). He left me to it to kick back for 10 minutes and came back and retested me and it was back down to 135/70.
I've changed my diet, quit coffee and alcohol, ate more fish and chicken, swapped soda out for water and no fried food. Not only has it helped with medicals, it's just good for you. I also make a point of walking my dog at least 1.5 -2 miles every day, rain or shine. I'm less irritable, sleep better, no headaches etc etc.
Just go see a doctor, they will square you away in no time, BP is a warning buzzer for your health, don't ignore it by temporarily lowering it, do sort out the source of the problem, it will come down quicker than you'll believe with meds and very modest lifestyle changes.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
I've changed my diet, quit coffee and alcohol, ate more fish and chicken, swapped soda out for water and no fried food. Not only has it helped with medicals, it's just good for you. I also make a point of walking my dog at least 1.5 -2 miles every day, rain or shine. I'm less irritable, sleep better, no headaches etc etc.
You say the doctor helped you, but it sounds to me like you took control of the problem and helped yourself. Good on you for making those changes in your life! I love to hear it. You deserve the credit for the turnaround.
If people would do the basics like eating right, exercising, and meditating, there would be almost no need for pills ever.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I'll start off by saying, my name is Chris. I've been a mechanic most of my life but decided that I want to go in a different direction and pursue trucking. I got my permit and offer of employment from a company in michigan. I've been a big guy my entire life and I'm really worried that my blood pressure will be an issue during my DOT physical. Has anyone else had this concern but still worked out in the end? Thank you.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.