BubblesDhaDriva With Important News😳

Hey y'all hope your having happy holidays. Some of you know the update rollercoaster I'm going through now. Which is super freaken crazy. Well adding on to it. Afew days ago I saw a new mental health doctor since I really didn't want to wait next year for an appointment (late January). She done a health evaluation on me and come to find out I have bipolar 1. So you're telling me I've been misdiagnosed, with schizophrenia?????? Will definitely will be letting Carter know. But really don't think I'll be taking medication for it anytime soon,as I just got new IM EXPECTING ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ Good Jesus,Mary and Joseph 😱🥰.

My question is could I still drive? I know I know,I should ask my OB,but just wanted to hear from yall about it. I'm NERVOUS and excited all at the same time!!

Hey y'all hope your having happy holidays. Some of you know the update rollercoaster I'm going through now. Which is super freaken crazy. Well adding on to it. Afew days ago I saw a new mental health doctor since I really didn't want to wait next year for an appointment (late January). She done a health evaluation on me and come to find out I have bipolar 1. So you're telling me I've been misdiagnosed, with schizophrenia?????? Will definitely will be letting Carter know. But really don't think I'll be taking medication for it anytime soon,as I just got new IM EXPECTING ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ Good Jesus,Mary and Joseph 😱🥰.

My question is could I still drive? I know I know,I should ask my OB,but just wanted to hear from yall about it. I'm NERVOUS and excited all at the same time!!

Oh wow, should've read this before I replied above ... oops!

Well, congrats are in order, then ????

DaveW. did an article on just this, a while back ... and I'm pretty sure Rainy / aka: Kearsey has covered the topic somewhere, as well.

Me, I wouldn't. I've got a few kids, and still.... NOPE!

BeST to YOU!

~ Anne ~

Congrats on both the baby and getting the correct diagnosis!

I would absolutely ask your OB about continuing to drive. It would take a lot of discipline to be able to eat everything out of the truck and get the exercise and nutrition both mom and baby need. From my wife's experience I look back at how much morning sickness and just being sore kicked her butt. Not being able to sleep all that good due to nausea makes me worry you wouldn't be able to be well enough rested to be alert. I'm sure there's plenty of women that have driven while pregnant and things turned out OK.

What does your husband think of the idea of you to keep driving? I know he's been worried about your safety, this will make that concern even more.

Please let us know how things go. Congrats again!

Thanks so much for yall reply Anne and Rob!! That's the part that scares me. Is being out for periods of time and experiencing situations that my body wouldn't be able to handle because I'm carrying. And definitely will be talking to my OB about this for sure. Carter offers regional routes (home every day) but I'm thinking I will probably need seniority to be on this type of routes. I haven't told the hubby yet planning on telling him either on his birthday or on New years day. Nervous because knowing him, I'll be seeing Carter after my baby is 3 years old haha. I will definitely update y'all‼️

Congrats. I never did write about driving and pregnancy.

Are you asking if you should drive pregnant or drive without medication for a serious mental illness that can cause mood swings and erratic behavior as well as suicidal tendencies?

My answer to driving unmedicated for Bipolar 1 would be no. This is not only a mood disorder but an impulse disorder. Unchecked, the impulse to run off a cliff or run someone over....stop in a bar for a one night stand, gamble your money away or even drop the load and drive away could overtake a person. With this disorder you may also be susceptible to postpartum depression or even psychosis. So being monitored regularly after delivery will be essential for both your safety and the safety of your child. Andrea Yates comes to mind... The woman with mental health issues who suffered postpartum psychosis and drowned her 5 children. Also who will care for the child once you drive again?

My answer to driving while pregnant would be it depends on the pregnancy. I personally had issues carrying a child so I would never risk it. Nor would I risk the safety of the public if I got a sharp pain while driving that could swerve me into the other lane. Some women get dizzy in the first trimester and 80% get morning sickness. That is not something I would want to endure OTR. Many women have uneventful pregnancies but I would imagine the company would have a policy as to when a woman would need to come off the road.

Being misdiagnosed with mental disorders is common since there is no objective test such as a scan or blood test. Symptoms of both disorders overlap...such as hearing voices. My sister was schizophrenic and had been diagnosed bipolar 1 in her 30s. I found an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that said a significant percentage of women diagnosed in their 30s with bipolar were then re diagnosed as schizophrenic in their 40s. This was true in her case.

Obviously I am not a mental health professional nor a doctor or trucking company owner. If I owned a company i would not want you driving and would encourage you to go on temporary disability until you were once again stable on meds and able to safely perform your duties. Sorry if this sounds cruel.... But the stress of trucking mixed with a lack of meds could result in serious harm to you, your child, or others.

Be safe.... And congrats. We want pics of the baby when it comes! And possible names

Congrats. I never did write about driving and pregnancy.

Are you asking if you should drive pregnant or drive without medication for a serious mental illness that can cause mood swings and erratic behavior as well as suicidal tendencies?

My answer to driving unmedicated for Bipolar 1 would be no. This is not only a mood disorder but an impulse disorder. Unchecked, the impulse to run off a cliff or run someone over....stop in a bar for a one night stand, gamble your money away or even drop the load and drive away could overtake a person. With this disorder you may also be susceptible to postpartum depression or even psychosis. So being monitored regularly after delivery will be essential for both your safety and the safety of your child. Andrea Yates comes to mind... The woman with mental health issues who suffered postpartum psychosis and drowned her 5 children. Also who will care for the child once you drive again?

My answer to driving while pregnant would be it depends on the pregnancy. I personally had issues carrying a child so I would never risk it. Nor would I risk the safety of the public if I got a sharp pain while driving that could swerve me into the other lane. Some women get dizzy in the first trimester and 80% get morning sickness. That is not something I would want to endure OTR. Many women have uneventful pregnancies but I would imagine the company would have a policy as to when a woman would need to come off the road.

Being misdiagnosed with mental disorders is common since there is no objective test such as a scan or blood test. Symptoms of both disorders overlap...such as hearing voices. My sister was schizophrenic and had been diagnosed bipolar 1 in her 30s. I found an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that said a significant percentage of women diagnosed in their 30s with bipolar were then re diagnosed as schizophrenic in their 40s. This was true in her case.

Obviously I am not a mental health professional nor a doctor or trucking company owner. If I owned a company i would not want you driving and would encourage you to go on temporary disability until you were once again stable on meds and able to safely perform your duties. Sorry if this sounds cruel.... But the stress of trucking mixed with a lack of meds could result in serious harm to you, your child, or others.

Be safe.... And congrats. We want pics of the baby when it comes! And possible names

Thank you so much for your response Kearsey. I swear this has been in my mind for days. You also put a thought to mind with being alone on the highway and if I have a break down in the middle of no where,which is a fear I have with carrying. I have an appointment December 15 and January 7th to discuss, medication wise. Don't even know if I'll be able to take these meds while pregnant 😞. I definitely have alot of questions for my doctor. As in letting my company know, is a must. To be honest Im they would let me get home everyday. With having bipolar 1. After going some months without my medications, I definitely went through boiling hot water. I really want to get over this illness. Not even sure if it's curable. And I heard about Andrea Yates myself,what she done to her kids hunted me for an entire year. I can never hurt a child. That's why I'm afraid,of what I'm going through now but extremely grateful and happy that I will be getting the help I need. Hate this illness with a passion. But I really really really needed to read this Kearsey.

Congrats. I never did write about driving and pregnancy.

Are you asking if you should drive pregnant or drive without medication for a serious mental illness that can cause mood swings and erratic behavior as well as suicidal tendencies?

My answer to driving unmedicated for Bipolar 1 would be no. This is not only a mood disorder but an impulse disorder. Unchecked, the impulse to run off a cliff or run someone over....stop in a bar for a one night stand, gamble your money away or even drop the load and drive away could overtake a person. With this disorder you may also be susceptible to postpartum depression or even psychosis. So being monitored regularly after delivery will be essential for both your safety and the safety of your child. Andrea Yates comes to mind... The woman with mental health issues who suffered postpartum psychosis and drowned her 5 children. Also who will care for the child once you drive again?

My answer to driving while pregnant would be it depends on the pregnancy. I personally had issues carrying a child so I would never risk it. Nor would I risk the safety of the public if I got a sharp pain while driving that could swerve me into the other lane. Some women get dizzy in the first trimester and 80% get morning sickness. That is not something I would want to endure OTR. Many women have uneventful pregnancies but I would imagine the company would have a policy as to when a woman would need to come off the road.

Being misdiagnosed with mental disorders is common since there is no objective test such as a scan or blood test. Symptoms of both disorders overlap...such as hearing voices. My sister was schizophrenic and had been diagnosed bipolar 1 in her 30s. I found an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that said a significant percentage of women diagnosed in their 30s with bipolar were then re diagnosed as schizophrenic in their 40s. This was true in her case.

Obviously I am not a mental health professional nor a doctor or trucking company owner. If I owned a company i would not want you driving and would encourage you to go on temporary disability until you were once again stable on meds and able to safely perform your duties. Sorry if this sounds cruel.... But the stress of trucking mixed with a lack of meds could result in serious harm to you, your child, or others.

Be safe.... And congrats. We want pics of the baby when it comes! And possible names

Thank you so much for your response Kearsey. I swear this has been in my mind for days. You also put a thought to mind with being alone on the highway and if I have a break down in the middle of no where,which is a fear I have with carrying. I have an appointment December 15 and January 7th to discuss, medication wise. Don't even know if I'll be able to take these meds while pregnant 😞. I definitely have alot of questions for my doctor. As in letting my company know, is a must. To be honest Im they would let me get home everyday. With having bipolar 1. After going some months without my medications, I definitely went through boiling hot water. I really want to get over this illness. Not even sure if it's curable. And I heard about Andrea Yates myself,what she done to her kids hunted me for an entire year. I can never hurt a child. That's why I'm afraid,of what I'm going through now but extremely grateful and happy that I will be getting the help I need. Hate this illness with a passion. But I really really really needed to read this Kearsey.

Bubbles, I couldn't even RIDE in the rig w/ the hubby when I was carrying our youngest (again, he's 16 now!) lest it scare me (3 points contact, although that new (in DaveW.'s post 5 way looks neat!)) and yup, Rob T. nailed it. Morning sickness (which I ONLY got at night, haha!) RLS, and .. the 20 minutes til have to pee again, syndrome. Yeah, nope.

I kept WAITRESSING (was a manager, had to step down...) at Bob Evans... until a month before the 'production!' LoLoL !! Yes, I worked. No, not even ONCE in the rig, but to 'clean stairs.' That even sucked, haha!

After lil'man's birth,I was a GREAT armchair QB for his trucking self, and he, for my momming self, haha!!

Re: the Other half, Question . . . does HE make decent money? COULD HE DRIVE????

Carry on, m'lady. . . and the stuff about the meds, and BiPo 1 / borderline. . . my nephew (lives nxt door w/hub's bro...) I don't have ANY info on that, but for when they change Johnny's meds. . . things get 'fun' around here. Nobody is at 'risk' of repercussions, just.. takes him time to adapt. Hope the others, touched on that for you. THAT ONE, I cannot.

Rainy / Kearsey .. maybe I was mixing up your vid's with your 'time off' hiatus w/Prime? I'm sorry. . . I really am. I'm thinking it 'wasn't' Nic & Carla, dk. I don't watch many truckers on Fb/Yt.. but it was SURE NICE when Tiffany messaged me about my brother's death.

Ahhhh - the DOUBLE WHAMMY!

There are not FMCSA regulations regarding pregnancy - and there may (or may not) be any company regs around this. ESPECIALLY since the "family leave act" and other state laws regarding discrimination towards pregnant women in the workplace are likely to come into play. This is a decision that's going to rest with YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR - and possibly your companies SAFETY DEPARTMENT. But from a legal perspective - as long as you are physically able to continue to perform your job functions. I'm not sure a company safety department is going to want the RISK (because it's all about RISK AND LIABILITY) of a pregnant woman climbing in and out of a rig and/or trailer. And if what you're doing requires LIFTING - at some point, pretty sure your DOCTOR isn't going to like it either. Much depends on how your pregnancy progresses.

There were some questions on a DOT Medical Examiners discussion board about issuing DOT Med Cards to pregnant women. And again - there are no SPECIFIC FMCSA REGS that prohibit it - and pregnancy is not listed as a "disqualifying condition". The "prevailing sentiment" amongst the ME's was to issue a 6 month card.

I AM NOT A DOCTOR.

Mental illness - both schiz and BP - are not "curable" per se' - but MANAGEABLE with proper meds, that usually take a period of time to determine effectiveness and stability. IMHO - it's a crapshoot getting someone on the right meds and keeping them stable, but with proper medical supervision and honest reporting from the patient, a vast majority of people that suffer from mental illness AND COMPLY WITH THEIR MEDS REGIMEN are able to live normal productive lives, with a minimum of side effects from the meds themselves (once stable on the regimen). And if you are ON MEDS, and they're helping - GOING OFF WITHOUT MEDICAL SUPERVISION CAN BE EXTREMELY RISKY.

NOW - where the meds fall out in DRIVING A TRUCK is one story. Many are on FMCSA's "no fly list", because they cause drowsiness. Many more are on COMPANY NO FLY LISTS for similar reasons - though they are more related to LIABILITY - if you get in an accident and the company gets sued and knew you were driving on meds that a lawyer can convince a judge/jury might have compromised the drivers ability to operate safely - BIG PAYOUT.

And then there's "meds while pregnant", that throws a whole new level of difficulty in prescribing. Between managing your symptoms, keeping the baby safe - and MANAGING YOUR SYMPTOMS with a whole lot of hormonal and brain chemistry changes that take place during pregnancy - is, again, something that is between YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR(S) (adding your OB into your mental health professionals decisions on diagnosis and medication protocols).

I'm NOT A BIG FAN OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDS (or psyche docs for that matter). I know they help SO MANY. But I've found so many "mental health professionals" are looking for a diagnosis they can PRESCRIBE FOR. And as a whole - our society is probably WAY OVER-MEDICATED. I suffer from depression (here and there) - not debilitating, but not fun when I'm in it either. I don't "swing" (bi-polar) - I just get in funks that go on for awhile. I probably could take the "generic happy pill" (Prozac) - one of my closest friends is a psychologist and keeps suggesting I do, when I get into one of my "jags". That's a decision I MAKE FOR ME. My son is BP-1, and won't take meds (or at least, won't stay on them). And when he gets "out there" - he gets "black helicopter/bat-guano" out there - like REALLY SERIOUSLY OUT THERE.

But like I said - I'm not a doctor (I don't play one on TV, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express either)...

These important decisions are going to have to be made by you and your doctors - with a PRIMARY CONSIDERATION BEING YOUR HEALTH (mental and physical) and THAT OF YOUR BABY. The trucking end of it - COMES SECONDARY - and while being employed is important - YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST ALWAYS.

Best of luck - PLEASE KEEP US POSTED WITH YOUR PROGRESS...

Rick

Congratulations bubbles on the new life!!! And good luck on the new adventure

Hey y'all hope your having happy holidays. Some of you know the update rollercoaster I'm going through now. Which is super freaken crazy. Well adding on to it. Afew days ago I saw a new mental health doctor since I really didn't want to wait next year for an appointment (late January). She done a health evaluation on me and come to find out I have bipolar 1. So you're telling me I've been misdiagnosed, with schizophrenia?????? Will definitely will be letting Carter know. But really don't think I'll be taking medication for it anytime soon,as I just got new IM EXPECTING ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ Good Jesus,Mary and Joseph 😱🥰.

My question is could I still drive? I know I know,I should ask my OB,but just wanted to hear from yall about it. I'm NERVOUS and excited all at the same time!!

Something interesting too.. Pregnancy itself is not an FMLA condition. The symptoms are. Stupid. If im throwing up and fatigued it is most likely due to the damn pregnancy. Stupid govt