About Dot Physical...

I'm old on the inside lol. Broke tendons in fuel ankle twice, arthritic knees, torn left triceps, bum right shoulder had physical therapy and just told em it didn't hurt anymore so they wouldn't cut me open just to check it out after a few different diagnosis from different doctors And bout every joint in me is crack-able have thrown out my back a few times. Few of em are work injuries from labor gigs. So yup I agree, glad I'm not up there yet in the years...cuz it'll be worst haha. Trying to take better care of myself now so maybe it wont. Eating better and not trying to do anything outside of my physical means anymore.

All of its old which shouldn't be an issue, esp not yours I mean wow 40 years ago?

Don't quote me since I'm the newbie, but my understanding is that psychiatric health is a huge deal when obtaining Hazmat endorsements -- particularly after 9/11. It doesn't seem like it'd be an issue for truckers in general, but does seem Hazmat does specifically mention clean/lack of psychiatric history. For someone who's had previous bouts of depression, I really hope the triggers have been assessed and are known.... and taken into serious consideration with trucking. Relying on pills is no bueno, IMHO -- personally, I'd say meds mask the real underlying issues (for many, though meds are good for actual chemical imbalances). Even diet changes can help with depression, for instance, etc. Personally, being solo is depressing but I figure better be solo out on the road getting paid and traveling the country like i've been wanting to than sitting home and heavily date Netflix.

Thanks for replying everyone! I'll just go ahead and get a letter of clearance in case I need it. I've still gotta get my eyes checked because i'm certain I need glasses or contacts now ( I don't think my right eye is 20/40).

Good idea Jeremy. Please let me know how it goes, I was a minor when I was admitted and since that was 15 years ago I mean I was released but I never did get like a "clearance" (my out-patient therapy was cut-off). Also, I'm not sure 100% why my eyes have different levels of vision but luckily they still work together and well enough alone to pass the eye exams for now. In the future I will probably require a subscription. One sees a little farther the other sees kinda closer when singled out. Weirds me out lol

Mental health is important and not just for CMV operators ofc. The hazmat bit makes sense if you carry that endorsement but I could see it being a concern for CMV in general too since we are federally regulated and all the crazy stuff going on in the world. Just not for it being so old in your health history.

There's situational depression and clinical depression (so called chemical imbalance). Meds are great for some to help temporarily while in the mean time gaining tools through counseling or self help to help cope/solve/alleviate etc whatever causes the depression. Some meds can and will cause irreversible effects if used long term. IMO 90%+ of the time, medication is not the solution - it's only an expensive bandaid.

Please remember that if you or anyone you know appears to be having signs of depression, reach out! Don't wait! If you're not sure what to do or say: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255 Available 24 hours everyday Is also for those who are worried about friends/family who are unsure what to do. Sorry to go semi off topic here, but I wanted to throw this out there.

Went to the eye doc today and he said my right eye is barely 20/40 and said the DOT will be more stingy with it. It's possible he said I could apply for an exemption, but I think this hinges on being completely healthy in all other areas ( which i believe I am ).

Certainly an interesting conversation, as a few have mention, most of what is asked, is more of the CYA stuff, HIPPA restricts much in the intrest of reliable health care, the end result is many providers will not release anyones records without a specific release request. The DOT forms are sure right on the edge, lots of careful reading will keep you from disclosing information they have no real right or reason for accessing, ( this is the past history stuff ) no one really cares if you had a tonsolectamy (sp) 15 years ago, a broken leg 20 years ago, etc, litagation wise, sure the lawyers would like to know to protect their clients, but just like Attorny Client privelage, some things are simply none of their business ( female birth control etc )

If it does not concern you, disclose it, it it can affect your safe operation of a CMV , i would say disclose it, but even the DOT forms have interesting language ( lawyer speak)

Not gonna tell you to lie, conceal etc, just know that HIPPA prevents disclosure with out your permission

Your future DOT exams are covered by HIPPA just like any Doctors visit. They have a medical information form so they can make informed desisions on your care, BUT not one else gets to see that. You fill out the info for them to see, they fill out a seperate form that does not give out that information for employer use.

The Dr. Can say Yes accept, or no, not accept.

( simplified version)

HIPPA has and causes more twists and turns than a 5 gallon bucket of worms.

Learn what is " current" issue ( health wise ) what you truely need to disclose.

Personally if i had been on such meds and my doc was still around, i would get a simple letter stating my condition is stable and i can drive with no issues, and simply head off any issue that way.

Preventative, vs reactive

In my case 15 years ago i had a stint put in to open a blockage and prevent a future heart attach, my Dr. Is in the area and still practicing, so i will simply get a release from him.

If he was not in area, then per definitions of DOT and HIPPA, i would not disclose that because it was preventative, not current ( ie no treatment, meds etc needed for past 3 years) which makes the condition stable ( the DOT requirement for a Heart condition ).

All that aside, even if it was not stable, if i did not disclose, no one can find out anyway due to HIPPA.

I chose to be up front. Funny part is even disclosed, HIPPA regulations cause health care providers to simply refuse to release a persons health information ( thats why you fill same info at every single Dr office ad nausium.

This is what you get when the government steps in to "help"

Larry, that was really confusing. But the issue is really much simpler than all that: you simply disclose anything they ask you about. Period.

To take the approach that certain things can not be found out or that certain things are none of the company's business is a great way to get yourself sent home on a bus without a job.

And thinking that you should be the one to determine what health issues are the company's business or not isn't gonna fly. The company is responsible for hiring safe drivers and the company will be held responsible for anything that happens to that driver or anything that driver does on the road. When a company has drivers navigating an 80,000 pound death machine surrounded by SUV's full of children they have to know if you're healthy enough to do so or not. The idea that your health history may be none of their business is simply baloney. They know what they need to know.

The entire issue of what to disclose is very simple - if they ask you about it, answer honestly. If they don't ask then they don't feel they need to know.

Agreed Brett, HIPPA is confusing, simpler by far to simply give them everything, always easier to remember the truth, not even DOT is exempt from

Honesty is always simpeler, was more making the.point of OLD issues. Disclose if desired, sometimes too much info is worse than no info.

Larry wrote:

Disclose if desired, sometimes too much info is worse than no info.

Larry what don't you get here? Disclose if desired? The form does not allow for discretion on the part of the driver. No Larry, fully disclose where required. If you choose for whatever reason to withhold information, that's on you. However when you advise others on this forum to consider the above as written, that's unacceptable.

Aside from the "jailhouse lawyer" type of advice.

Yes - the DOT Med Forms have gotten way more intrusive in '16, then the previous iteration.

Ostensibly - it's about public safety. They weren't designed to discriminate - though some of the questions really have nothing to do with the safe operation of a CMV.

But gone are the days when they just check your sack, pee in a cup and go about your merry way.

And you can argue HIPPA SCHMIPPA until you're blue in the face - but I doubt you're going to find a government official to file an action against FMCSA or a trucking company, based on what you are asked to disclose on a GOVERNMENT AGENCIES APPROVED FORM (though they did take the BMI stuff off the latest revision of the form, as the OSA/BMI stuff hasn't been made a rule yet). Nor will you find a lawyer that is going to SUE on a contingency fee basis - or even do a CLASS ACTION (if it were litigable, OOIDA would have filed one already).

The bigger issue with disclosing EVERYTHING is that some ME's and companies are so paranoid about potential future liability, that they are going to be looking for stuff most older folks can't find.

I'm 56 - had an emergency colon resection 20 years ago. Can't really HIDE the colostomy scar or the midline incision that runs from groin to belly button. But I also can't find the Dr that did the work, and the hospital doesn't have the records from 20 years ago - so good luck getting a CLEARANCE for this if asked.

Some of this stuff runs akin to the other thread (regarding psych meds that are not prohibited by regs, but by company policy - but they won't tell you which ones are banned before bringing you into orientation - then sending you home to get off the meds).

Disclosure is better than getting caught LYING. And we as a community with TRUTH in our dang name - are going to be the LAST PEOPLE that will sit idly by, while someone advises people to LIE.

Rick