Medical Question

Good Afternoon Everyone, first I want to thank you all for your assistance. This forum is so much help and has a lot of information from great people.

My question. I am concerned my health will keep me out of school and driving for Prime. I have bipolar disorder. My treatment is through the VA. With my medications it has been under control for several years. Other than that I am good for a 61 year old balding man. Will this stop me or does anyone else have Bipolar? Thanks, Steve

Depends on WHAT MEDS you're on - whether those meds are prohibited by FMSCA.

My Dad was on Lithium for BPD for decades - that wouldn't present an issue.

If your meds have a warning label about "cars and machinery" - your meds may come into question.

And in all honestly - psych meds are always a "crap shoot". If you are stable on your current regimen, but those drugs happen to be on the "no-go" list - it could be quite some time and changes in meds, before you find a combination that you are stable on - but are NOT RESTRICTED for driving.

Whatever medications you're on - will have to be approved by whatever company you are applying to's safety department - as well as a "medical opinion letter" from your treating physician. In the case of psych issues - this is going to need to come from a PSYCHIATRIC PHYSICIAN (specialist), not your PRIMARY PHYSICAL, and will have to state: the condition, what meds are being used, is your condition stable with treatment, and does the doctor feel that you could safely operate a Commercial Vehicle.

Rick

Hey Steven. The only thing I know of that would stop you is the medication itself. As long as the medications you're taking are approved for commercial driving you should be good to go. You should be able to speak with your doctors to get an idea of whether or not your medications might pose a problem. Ultimately whoever gives you the actual DOT physical will have to sign off that you medication is suitable for commercial driving.

Depends on WHAT MEDS you're on - whether those meds are prohibited by FMSCA.

My Dad was on Lithium for BPD for decades - that wouldn't present an issue.

If your meds have a warning label about "cars and machinery" - your meds may come into question.

And in all honestly - psych meds are always a "crap shoot". If you are stable on your current regimen, but those drugs happen to be on the "no-go" list - it could be quite some time and changes in meds, before you find a combination that you are stable on - but are NOT RESTRICTED for driving.

Whatever medications you're on - will have to be approved by whatever company you are applying to's safety department - as well as a "medical opinion letter" from your treating physician. In the case of psych issues - this is going to need to come from a PSYCHIATRIC PHYSICIAN (specialist), not your PRIMARY PHYSICAL, and will have to state: the condition, what meds are being used, is your condition stable with treatment, and does the doctor feel that you could safely operate a Commercial Vehicle.

Rick

Thanks that is a big help. I will go and sit down with my doctor before I do anything. Steve

Thanks for the information. This is the best website. Thanks for all you do. Steve

Hey Steven. The only thing I know of that would stop you is the medication itself. As long as the medications you're taking are approved for commercial driving you should be good to go. You should be able to speak with your doctors to get an idea of whether or not your medications might pose a problem. Ultimately whoever gives you the actual DOT physical will have to sign off that you medication is suitable for commercial driving.