Profile For Big Jilm

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.

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.

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!