Narcotics Administered At Hospital

Good day truckers. Have a D.O.T. FMCSA drug question.

Kidney stone resulted in parking truck and being admitted to ER. Pain was severe and Morphine was given.

From clearning house guidelines we are to be drug free. Is there any guidelines regarding hospital administered narcotics? How long drug will remain in body. Waivers or documentation kept with driver and cleared to drive?

Would I need to be out of work until drug test indicates all clear?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/implementation-guidelines-alcohol-and-drug-regulations-chapter-6

"MRO Responsibilities

The MRO is required to perform the functions found in 49 CFR subpart G.

Receive all of the results of controlled substances tests from the laboratory.

Review the CCF to ensure its accuracy.

Review and interpret a driver's confirmed positive, adulterated, substituted, or invalid test result by (1) reviewing the driver's medical history, including any medical records and biomedical information provided; (2) affording the driver an opportunity to discuss the test result; and (3) deciding whether there is a legitimate medical explanation for the result, including legally prescribed medication."

Also

"The MRO must also advise the driver that, after informing any third party about any medication the driver is using pursuant to a legally valid prescription under the Controlled Substances Act, the MRO will allow 5 days for the driver to have the prescribing physician contact him/her to determine if the medication can be changed to one that does not make the driver medically unqualified or does not pose a significant safety risk. If the MRO receives such information from the prescribing physician, he/she must transmit this information to any third party to whom the MRO previously provided information about the safety risks of the driver's other medication.

The driver must provide documentation (e.g., a doctor's report, a copy of a prescription) as proof of the legitimate use of medication. The MRO should be certain to set a deadline for receipt of any medical information offered by the driver.

Explanations for Legitimate Confirmed Positive Test Results

Explanations for a legitimate confirmed positive test result might include the use of legally prescribed or dispensed medication or the ingestion of substances that produce the same metabolites as an illegal substance. Examples of legitimate medical treatment are

Codeine prescriptions for coughing and/or pain Narcotic analgesics prescribed for pain Tetrahydrocannabinol prescribed to cancer patients for anti-emetic purposes and to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients for weight loss Cocaine prescribed as a topical or a vasoconstrictive anesthetic Schedule V opiate-containing preparation (e.g., cough suppressants and antidiarrheal preparations containing paregoric). Medical judgment is required on a case-by-case basis. If satisfied that there is a valid medical reason for the confirmed positive test, the MRO will assure the driver that all information relating to the confirmed positive test and valid explanation will remain confidential."

Good day truckers. Have a D.O.T. FMCSA drug question.

Kidney stone resulted in parking truck and being admitted to ER. Pain was severe and Morphine was given.

From clearning house guidelines we are to be drug free. Is there any guidelines regarding hospital administered narcotics? How long drug will remain in body. Waivers or documentation kept with driver and cleared to drive?

Would I need to be out of work until drug test indicates all clear?

Thoughts, suggestions?

What is your company Safety Rep telling you?

Travis, very impressive details! Thank you!

Steve L. Just got off phone with my company. I wasn't able to speak with them last night.

Company flying me home for medical treatment and covering Uber to and from locations. I cant legally drive until cleared by the company's medical team. So I need documentation from my urologist, family doctor, then another CDL medical test. I haven't heard about a clearing house test. Will follow on post when I know more.

One thing is certain. Not drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon juice daily caused build up of stones and I am without income. You might see me at Pilot trying to recruit drivers to get referral bonus pay.

Morphine has a very short half life and is usually only detectable for 3-4 days from last use. Even in heavy, chronic users it's apparently only a week.

I'd be asking the urologist, primary care doc and whoever is gonna do your med card what they need and want to see to get you back to work again.

Here is a study on heroin addicts but the detection time should be similar to morphine.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12075726/#:~:text=The%20time%20of%20detection%20in,every%20day%20for%20seven%20days.

Travis, very impressive details! Thank you!

Steve L. Just got off phone with my company. I wasn't able to speak with them last night.

Company flying me home for medical treatment and covering Uber to and from locations. I cant legally drive until cleared by the company's medical team. So I need documentation from my urologist, family doctor, then another CDL medical test. I haven't heard about a clearing house test. Will follow on post when I know more.

One thing is certain. Not drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon juice daily caused build up of stones and I am without income. You might see me at Pilot trying to recruit drivers to get referral bonus pay.

Ok, I can answer this one! Your ER discharge papers should give you a list of medications that were administered during your visit. If it is not on there, call the Health Information Management department of the hospital who owns the ER that treated you. Request a copy of the visit for "continuation of care" by a provider at home. When requesting under this heading, you get slightly more detailed information, like dosages and times, which would back up the findings in a Urine test

Travis, very impressive details! Thank you!

Steve L. Just got off phone with my company. I wasn't able to speak with them last night.

Company flying me home for medical treatment and covering Uber to and from locations. I cant legally drive until cleared by the company's medical team. So I need documentation from my urologist, family doctor, then another CDL medical test. I haven't heard about a clearing house test. Will follow on post when I know more.

One thing is certain. Not drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon juice daily caused build up of stones and I am without income. You might see me at Pilot trying to recruit drivers to get referral bonus pay.

I'm just stopping in, to hope you feel better, soon!! My brother had kidney stones when I was younger, and it seemed sure similar to a guy giving birth, from the pain levels (and the screaming) he encountered! Sorry, dang. Follow the advice above; feel better soon, man!

~ Anne ~

ps: ACV rocks; Goli, too. . . Which Pilot?!?!? Keep us in the loop, haha! You'll be back to good, in 3 or 4 days, it seems. Wish you well.

Nae, Anne! Welcome to the post!

Great information and support. First home time in 11 weeks. I woke thinking I was in sleeper and no bunk to smack my head into. Nothing to trip on, my darn coffee maker is in another room. Matter fact so is the bathroom and kitchen. Everything is out of reach. Lol

Perhaps take time off to go to the truck dealers and look at the new innovations. Then head home to play truck movie marathon!

Oh, I see another post coming.lol

Nae, Anne! Welcome to the post!

Great information and support. First home time in 11 weeks. I woke thinking I was in sleeper and no bunk to smack my head into. Nothing to trip on, my darn coffee maker is in another room. Matter fact so is the bathroom and kitchen. Everything is out of reach. Lol

Perhaps take time off to go to the truck dealers and look at the new innovations. Then head home to play truck movie marathon!

Oh, I see another post coming.lol

Wishing you better, good sir! Nice tanker gig/setup.

Yeah, enjoy the time OFF for sure!!! Keep us posted, too.

~ Anne ~

ps: I'll watch for that post, LoL !