TIA Aka Mini Stroke And My Cdl.

Good news and bad news. The good news is I'm cleared to drive. The bad news is Swift won't let me until the doctor completes a release form. If my driver leader had told me that at some point during my daily phone calls to him, I could have had it with me. Didn't find out until after my appt this morning. And of course the office closed at noon today so I have to wait until Monday. Their patient info packet says allow 7 to 14 business days for completion of the forms. Bringing a book and packing a lunch and will spend all day everyday in their waiting room until it's done.

Sounds like all good news, you received a clean bill of health and clearance to drive again. You will be back in the saddle soon... Good for you!

That's excellent news Ahmalia!

JJ

UPDATE: Well, Swift will not accept a letter of release from the doctor, a specific form has to be completed and returned to Swift HR before I can go back to work. So after a total cluster of a day Friday trying to get the stupid forms, I go back to the doctor's office only to find they close at noon on Fridays. So this morning I called to make sure they received the forms via FAX, and asked if I could come up and get them so I can go back to work. The doctor's office replied that it takes 7-14 business days to complete and return those forms to me, and they will not expedite for any reason, even when I told them I'm going to lose my job. They gave me a letter from the doctor stating I'm ok to return to work, and they are willing to verbally confirm that with Swift. So I called Swift, and they said no, they have to have the completed form before they will release me to return to work. So in desperation I called my primary doctor that referred me to the specialist, and asked if their office would be willing to complete the forms. I'm waiting for them to call me back, but if they say no, I have to go up to Kansas City today and clean out my truck. While I know taking care of my health is important, to be honest, I regret even telling Swift about my little episode. Also, my primary doctor also referred me to a cardiologist due to high blood pressure, and I don't even have an appointment with them yet. If my doctor refuses to complete the form until I'm released to return to work by the cardiologist, then I am well and truly screwed. Pretty sure all this stress is not helping my blood pressure.

Ahmalia, it is truly very unfortunate what is happening to you, honesty and loyalty to our companies shouldn't have this kind of return from them, but reading this makes hard to be honest and report all kinds of issues that come along, however I do believe that you will get your reward with Swift or another company, you did good by reporting it even tho it does not feel or seems right at the moment, keep your head up, pray be hopeful, it's easy for me to write this because I'm not in your shoes right now, but stay positive good things are coming your way, all you have to do is ask to your Higher Power, be well,....out

UPDATE: Well, Swift will not accept a letter of release from the doctor, a specific form has to be completed and returned to Swift HR before I can go back to work. So after a total cluster of a day Friday trying to get the stupid forms, I go back to the doctor's office only to find they close at noon on Fridays. So this morning I called to make sure they received the forms via FAX, and asked if I could come up and get them so I can go back to work. The doctor's office replied that it takes 7-14 business days to complete and return those forms to me, and they will not expedite for any reason, even when I told them I'm going to lose my job. They gave me a letter from the doctor stating I'm ok to return to work, and they are willing to verbally confirm that with Swift. So I called Swift, and they said no, they have to have the completed form before they will release me to return to work. So in desperation I called my primary doctor that referred me to the specialist, and asked if their office would be willing to complete the forms. I'm waiting for them to call me back, but if they say no, I have to go up to Kansas City today and clean out my truck. While I know taking care of my health is important, to be honest, I regret even telling Swift about my little episode. Also, my primary doctor also referred me to a cardiologist due to high blood pressure, and I don't even have an appointment with them yet. If my doctor refuses to complete the form until I'm released to return to work by the cardiologist, then I am well and truly screwed. Pretty sure all this stress is not helping my blood pressure.

Sigh...more bad news. Thought I was returning to work today. But even with the doctor's release, Swift insisted I go get my med card recertified first. And recertification was denied due to lack of official diagnosis. So until I have a brain MRI done, I can't drive. If diagnosis comes back tia/mini stroke then med card denied for one year. If it comes back migraine or hypertensive episode, I might get back to earning a paycheck in a month or two.

Have you thought of asking for a job in the office as a DM or some other position? This affords you the opportunity to stay employed with Swift while you work through this. Maybe worth a try.

There are two DMs at my terminal who were full time drivers a year ago. Swift prefers, possibly requires their DMs have previous CMV driving experience.

OK, update time. I'm still not driving, now off 5 weeks with no pay. Swift doesn't have any "light duty" or DL openings right now (supposedly.) Back on the 11th I went to my doctor for what I thought was a UTI, turns out it was a kidney stone. Ended up in the ER, sent home, and then back in the ER two days later, where they admitted me for surgery and 3 days in the hospital (because God felt I didn't have enough on my plate right now.) That is my second kidney stone surgery, just had one last October. I was started on thyroid meds last August and apparently that is what is causing the kidney stones. Anyway, fun times there, not so much.

After getting out of the hospital, I went through several days of circus-like jumping through hoops to get the necessary tests scheduled and completed to get my medical card recertified. Not going into all the details, but it was a mess. Finally got all the tests done, and the good news is all tests came back clear. Bad news is without an official diagnosis, I'm still having issues getting my medical card reinstated. The doctors are leaning towards migraine, but won't put it on paper for me. They did however give me another release form ok to drive, which would make the third one I've submitted to Swift and to Concentra, where I go for my recertification physical. I've gone through 2 physicals, passed them both, only to be denied because the doctor that originally denied me has to clear the one year medical hold off my record. And Swift also put the one year restriction on my DAC.

So yesterday after another circus like day of trying to get all the test results on paper to send to that doctor, and then trying to get them faxed, that continued into today because I was calling every 30 minutes to see if they had received it (they weren't too happy about that) the doctor finally has the test results in her hands. So now I have to wait for her to review them and then she is supposed to call me once my medical card is ready to go. I'm hoping tomorrow, but at this point after so many false starts, I'm not holding my breath.

While I know that morally and professionally I did the right thing by reporting my medical issue to my employer, its really hard to not regret my honesty and integrity right now when I'm watching my bank account dwindle away and every option I have tried to get help I haven't qualified for. My blood pressure has skyrocketed during all of this to the point where I was referred to a cardiologist and put on BP meds as well.

So that is what is going on with me right now.

I have been wondering how you were doing. Sorry to hear about all of the chaos that is going on. You hang in there! The most important thing is for you to be healthy, and I hope you get to go back to driving very soon. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ahmalia, thanks for the update. I actually thought about you today - I was kind of wondering about you. Imagine my surprise when I look in here and there you are!

I wish you the best, I know this has been trying you to the max. Hang in there, we're looking forward to having you back out here with us.

Before I read anymore of this thread, from what little I have "read" you did NOT have a TIA, several things can cause these type symptoms to occur. I will reserve my Diagnosis until I read the rest of the thread to see. Back to reading

Well, my primary doctor is referring me to a cardiologist and a neurologist for confirmation. I tried to get in touch with Swift's HR dept yesterday to find out what their guidelines might be and if there is any kind of options where I can still get paid something, but couldn't get through. According to everything I'm reading online, odds are I'm off work for a minimum of 3 months, possibly a year, and potentially will never get my CDL back. While I have other job skills, I will not find anything that pays me what I make as a driver. And I do not get paid for my time off.

What happened was I was just driving down the highway, about 5 miles from my pick up, and all of a sudden I got really light-headed and a vertigo feeling, and then my left side went numb, starting with my face but progressing all the way down my arm and leg. I guess I'm very lucky I didn't pass out and wreck. When I got to my pick up point I started making phone calls to my dispatcher , my doctor, etc. Apparently I should have immediately called 911 and went to the hospital. Swift sent a driver over to cover my load, and I rode the 90 minutes back to Topeka with him, and after he dropped the load off, he dropped me off at my house. Went to see the doctor the next day. The numbness wore off after about an hour, and I felt fine after that. Still feel fine, but I understand that a TIA is a warning signal, and a full stroke could be next.

I don't know if they will roto-rooter my arteries, or put me on meds, or what. And I don't know if I can be cleared to go back to driving. I'm trying really hard not to panic, since I don't really have any information yet anyway, aside from I can't go back to work until the doctor's say so, and I have no money coming in in the meantime. I have a little bit in savings, can maybe squeak by 3 months on that, but anything longer and I'm screwed.

And just because I'm venting anyway, my boyfriend of 2 years up and moved out on me March 1st, with no warning. So its already tough because I went from a two income household to a one income household. And then 2 weeks later my best friend passed away, sudden heart attack. Well, they say bad things happen in three's, so I guess that's my three. I hope so anyway, cuz I'm at my limit. Close the problem buffet, my plate is full.