Last week I had a seizure, not allowed to drive for 3 months
Posted by thrrowaway67@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 28 comments
I'm 26, and I've loved trucking my whole life. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a truck driver.
I got my class 1 license back in 2019, and have been driving locally ever since. I made good money, I paid off my debts and recently bought a car with cash.
Then I had a seizure, and I reported it as legally required, and I'm doing some brain scans and EEG's this week. My employer can't replace me at the moment and they expect me to be back to work immediately, but I don't think they realize I won't be able to drive for a while. I'm on a leave until I get this sorted out.
I mean, best case scenario, I'm all clear, it was just a one time thing, and I can get back behind the wheel after 3 months.
Worst case scenario...I never drive commercially again.
I just feel so anxious and let down though, what if i never get to drive again? I only have a high school diploma, I'm gonna be taking at least a $15/hour paycut if I'm a laborer or swamper. Even then, most labourer jobs require forklift skills, which is have, but I won't be able to operate that either.
What advice do you all have for me? What kind of jobs do truckers switch to when they need a career change?
Redsit111@reddit
Hey Driver.
Look, I don't know what you're going through mentally. Not gonna bullshit you. Probably hurts like getting your balls kicked in. There's plenty of other fields that makes money.
Driving though, being in control of potentially 80,000lbs. Even if you don't care about your own life, you could kill a fuckton of people. Not saying you don't care, just worse case.
Either way. Much love to you man. May God bless you. I hope whatever you end up needing to do it works out
SonOfaBiscuitEater@reddit
You have to keep somethings to yourself.
Waisted-Desert@reddit
There's a big difference between not disclosing a seizure you had last week and not disclosing medical depression when you were a preteen 30 years ago.
Not to give illegal advice, but if it's a resolved problem from your past then perhaps keep it to yourself. But if it's a current issue then you should definitely be an adult and either disclose it or voluntarily stop driving until you resolve it.
NotTooGoodBitch@reddit
Does depression keep you from being a trucker?
thrrowaway67@reddit (OP)
It's a legal requirement to disclose a medical event/condition that could affect the safety of myself or other individuals on the road in my country. They would suspend my license if I didn't, and if I did get in a wreck as a medically unfit driver, the insurance company could deny coverage, and I would be terminated from my company.
I chose to be honest
cowhand214@reddit
You did the right thing and even if the doctors come back with news you don’t want to hear you still will have done the right thin. You’re putting others safety first above your own wants and desires and that is something you should always be proud of.
1Stack_Mack@reddit
Honor and integrity is a quality you don't see very often theses days. You chose the right path, and now play the hand you were dealt. You'll come through this.
DDGBuilder@reddit
You did the right thing and I applaud you.
There are many trucking adjacent jobs where your skills will be extremely valuable. Fleet management, dispatch, all sorts of things in the industry where you don't need to sit behind a wheel.
Your experience as a trucker will make you better at those jobs that truckers rely on. Your company will have a strong incentive to keep you on, and if not other companies will still value your dedication, honesty, and experience.
I'm sorry you're going through this and hope that medically you're cleared. Good luck, driver.
SonOfaBiscuitEater@reddit
I didn’t. Couldn’t afford to lose the job. We all have our priorities and problems. But you definitely did the correct thing.
OnAJourneyMan@reddit
Terrible advice. The kind that will get you killed or put in jail for killing someone.
FaceWithAName@reddit
We don't need people who have seizures driving big rigs.
Admirable_Lab_7867@reddit
Youre and idiot. Imagine a driver having a seizure and killing someone you love on the road because they decided not to report it.
Again, youre an idiot. I cant emphasize that enough.
HighwayStar71@reddit
If I had a seizure, I don't think I would be able to drive a truck again. Even driving a car would make me nervous.
thrrowaway67@reddit (OP)
I agree, I'm currently not allowed to drive any vehicle or operate any equipment until I'm medically cleared, which could take up to 3-12 months. I might buy an ebike in the meantime
north_coast_nomad@reddit
note to other drivers and idk if this is ops case but If you quit alcohol cold turkey, it can cause seizures in the beginning.
BoostedLexus@reddit
If you're in the U.S you need to report you had a seizure, and if need be, they'll put you on meds. You can try getting a seizure exemption(39 cfr 391.41(b)(8)). In order to qualify you'll need to be seizure free for 2yrs or not a dosage change, changes in med, or frequency in meds being taken
HighwayStar71@reddit
I was going to say that that's an automatic disqualifier with a certain waiting period to make sure it doesn't happen again and if the doctor clears you. I had vertigo for four days and that was an an automatic two months off. A seizure is much more serious than vertigo.
Confident-Target-383@reddit
In a similar boat at 27. I wish I could say it gets better, but hope for the best is the best advice I can give you. Listen to your doctors too. As best you can.
Red_Sox0905@reddit
Be sure to apply for FMLA.
aacawe@reddit
You’re still a young kid. Look into the apprenticeship programs offered in your area. Plumbing, electrician, hvac, all kinds of stuff they need apprentices for. You’ll get paid about 20 bucks an hour. In return they pay for your schooling and certifications. The sacrifices you make now for maybe two or three years, you will get paid back tenfold upon being certified and moving into the ranks. - some of these certifications are equivalent to a nursing degree as far as making money…. If you’re willing to move around a bit, you can get top dollar pay as soon as you’re certified. Especially if you get into a union.
My next suggestion would be looking into the trade schools near you. Might be able to get a free ride into a trade.
Playful-Excuse-272@reddit
This is the way.
JOliverScott@reddit
I am sure that can be scary and you're young so still can pursue a different career path if it comes to that. I've had to shift gears much longer than you so I know it's scary. But your health must be first and foremost then a safe segue back into the driver's seat if it's permissable. Follow through with the doctor's directions.
CA_Orange@reddit
Maybe consider transferring to office work. Dispatch, safety, customer service, planning, etc are all necessary.
ConsciousAwareness69@reddit
Brother figure out why you had a seizure before even thinking about a career. Seizures are serious and drivers have killed themselves and others while having seizures. Besides a young buck shouldn’t waste his youth behind the wheel of a rig. Go do some other blue collar work that pays better like plumbing or electrician
LyubviMashina93@reddit
I would wait to see what the doctors say caused it. Could be simply medicated.
TedTheReckless@reddit
This is going to be hard to hear, but if this turns out to be a potentially recurring issue then you're done driving.
Hopefully it's not the case and you get cleared by the doctors.
If not, don't put everyone else at risk by hiding it from employers. I have no sympathy for drivers who get people killed because they'd rather stay on the road.
bootyhole_licker69@reddit
that really sucks man, hope the tests clear you. if not, look at dispatch, routing, yard jobs, dock work, safety, even warehouse lead. your trucking knowlege is worth something off the road. either way, finding decent work now is rough
TruckerBiscuit@reddit
Listen to your doctors. Follow their instructions to the letter. Prepare for the worst.