A PSA For Those Considering Prime Inc.

For me, luckily, the meds are not super necessary. I don't actually have insomnia. I don't stay awake for days. My circadian rhythm is just really different. When I have to work normal daywalker jobs my sleep schedule is awful. So when I come off these meds permanently I should be fine, and that's why I'm hoping that some flexibility in scheduling will make trucking an ideal situation for me.

Miss Miyoshi hopes:

I'm hoping that some flexibility in scheduling will make trucking an ideal situation for me.

If your circadian can float around, OTR driving is for you. Live without family (they all eat breakfast in the morning & dinner in the evening) and use the blackout/ privacy curtains in the cab.

In two days I can switch from "normal" to starting at 2am, no "jet lag" effects.

Do they not read the DOT form before you come? Not trying to bash them, but it would have saved Prime some money on travel had they read the form and called you guys before you went out there.

I was having the same question... I just filled out my DOT medical form online for Prime and disclosed the 2 medications that I usually take (Loratadine and Vitamin D) and did research before-hand that I know both are approved by the DOT. Not like its anything serious, I suffer from bad seasonal allergies.

http://www.truckmed.com/medications.htm

Found this-don't know how accurate it is, but it does say that no antidepressants are approved and that Ritalin "could" be approved, but it will be difficult.

Prime didn't disqualify me for being on an antidepressant. I just have to have my physician certify that I can drive a commercial vehicle with no issues. The list you provided is for pilots, which have even stricter rules than truckers, so I'm not sure it's relevant, but I don't know.

Prime didn't disqualify me for being on an antidepressant. I just have to have my physician certify that I can drive a commercial vehicle with no issues. The list you provided is for pilots, which have even stricter rules than truckers, so I'm not sure it's relevant, but I don't know.

Ahhh.

You left of with the impression that you had to get off the meds, in order to qualify.

We've had a number of discussions here, regarding pysch meds and DOT Med Certs. I pretty much share on every one that I contribute to, regarding physicians letter certifying what you describe above.

And even with that - it is at the company's discretion, whether or not their medical examiner will approve a med - EVEN WITH a doctors letter.

But you DO NOT WANT TO SHOW UP at an orientation physical, with anything other than BP or Cholesterol meds - WITHOUT THAT LETTER.

Anything that is "mood or mind altering", and has the potential side effects listed for the meds we discussed on this thread - may still find you disqualified.

I really hate that you got sent home though - I was looking forward to you relating your experiences there.

Rick

Let me reiterate: Prime is approving my Zoloft. I just have to have a doctor's certification that I need it and that it does not impair me in any way. I was sent home for the Trazadone, which is a sleep aid. The doctor there said the only sleep aid Prime approves is melatonin. I will definitely be back to Prime. They have had no other issue with me except the trazadone.

When I have to work normal daywalker jobs my sleep schedule is awful. So when I come off these meds permanently I should be fine, and that's why I'm hoping that some flexibility in scheduling will make trucking an ideal situation for me.

If you're anything like me, otr will be the perfect fit for you. Like you, I have a hard time getting a good night's sleep when I work day jobs, so I tried night shift...no joy. Trucking is perfect. I love how the sleep schedule is always changing. I sleep better now than I have in years. Good luck!

Interesting *science* on Ritalin:

"Results

Current data support the utility of stimulant medication in improving driving performance in younger ADHD drivers."

From: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277254/

Fortunately, for me, I wasn't taking Ritalin for anything driving related. I had a perfect driving record prior taking Ritalin, a perfect driving record on Ritalin, and I'll likely have a perfect record off of it again. It's just sad that our litigious culture is actually causing companies to ignore what the science says, so they can avoid potential lawsuits in the event of an accident.

They're not ignoring what the science says. You're overestimating the conclusiveness of the results. One study from 10 years ago saying it appears that certain medications may be helpful but that more studies need to be done does not mean that thousands of truck drivers nationwide should be given the green light to start taking the medication on a daily basis indefinitely.

The study clearly spelled out that not enough was known about long term effects, nor do they understand why different age groups are seeing different results. They're comparing numerous drugs to each other and the various studies they've mentioned all have different control groups and variables involved.

Remember, about every 10 or 15 years science does an about face and tells us we were completely wrong about a bunch of stuff we were certain we already figured out. Considering the fact that only 1% or so of the U.S. population is driving an 80,000 pound rig on public highways there really isn't a need to take chances on things they're uncertain about.

And just because you've done something safely doesn't mean it's safe to do. I've always loved risk and adventure. I've done a great job of managing those risks so I've rarely been injured and I'm obviously not dead but that doesn't mean the stuff I do is safe, nor does it mean others should be doing it. I totally get the frustration, but at the same time they have to take the safer path when it comes to medications.

I get your point, Brett. And I don't necessarily disagree. It was merely a review of the literature, after all. But then, if I was trying to write a research paper here (not my intent), I would have found more studies.

That said, I'm still inclined to believe what both the doctor *at* Prime, and a member of *their* Orientation department told me: "This is all about liability." The doctor also told me that she didn't personally believe Ritalin should be banned there, but that it wasn't her call.

Safety. I get it. And I'm 1,000% for it. But this is about litigation. I take zero unnecessary risks in life. Life is too short, too precious, and I've got a lot left to accomplish before I die.

As I've said before, I'm frustrated, but not necessarily with Prime. It's a societal thing.

And just because you've done something safely doesn't mean it's safe to do.

Lawyers are making the call about safety in this case, not doctors. Because I had note-in-hand from my doctor stating that I'm completely safe to take Ritalin and drive a CMV without risk.

Anyway, I respect your opinion. I hope this response isn't viewed as stirring the pot. Not my intent. The conversation never seems to go well when someone has a different opinion than the moderators.