Want to get my CDL but take medication for insomnia is it even worth it?
Posted by SignificantIce8564@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 14 comments
I really want to be a truck driver leaning towards class A OTR to get away from my current life. I've had insomnia since I was a kid been on tons of medication for it. Last year was put on Lunesta which is not a benzodiazepine but it's still classified as a schedule IV controlled substance and unfortunately the only thing that lets me sleep and not feel like a zombie in the morning.
My current psychiatrist said she'd write a letter saying I'm stable and good to drive a commercial vehicle but still I believe it's still up to the medical examiner. I guess I'm just looking for some advice. Is this something that's an automatic disqualifier like benzodiazepines?
I know you guys aren't DOT I would go get a "mock physical" to see if I'd pass but don't want it on my record if I fail and currently don't have the money I'd have to wait a few months. My dream starter job is flatbed with either TMC, Melton or Cypress so I know they're probably more strict and do their own DOT physicals which may be more strict but I don't know.
Dezzolve@reddit
Will it show up on a drug test? If not, don’t tell anyone.
The only issue is OTR schedules are anything but regular, you’re going to have deliveries during times that you normally would be sleeping. Maybe not so much if you go flatbed, they typically have a more “regular” schedule. But you never really know.
It would be outright dangerous to yourself and the public if you had to drive while still under the active effects of the medication. That’s one of the biggest reasons anything that causes drowsiness is a disqualifying drug for truck drivers.
I think you would be better off overall trying for a local position with an established schedule.
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
I believe it will most likely even if it wouldn't I'm not willing to start my career off on a lie that could come back to bite me in the ass.
I can take the medication whenever day or night I don't have a set schedule now as long as I sleep 6-7 hours I feel good in the morning unlike some other medications I've taken in the past.
Dezzolve@reddit
I promise you will not find anyone to pass your DOT physical if you tell them about the medication.
And as far as your “test physical” goes, that is a horrible idea too. It’s not like it was before, all your DOT physical records are in a federal database. If you fail one, every time you go try again the physician will see that.
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
Is it this medication being a controlled substance that's a deal breaker or it being a sleep medication? If it's the latter I could try better ones that aren't considered a controlled substance they just don't work as well.
Yea that's what I was saying I'd rather not do a "mock physical" and have it on my record that's kinda why I asked here. Tried seeing if there was someone better I can ask online. Even searched around for DOT consultations but think that would still go on my record.
Dezzolve@reddit
Whether it’s a controlled substance or not only matters if you don’t have a prescription for it. Take adderall for instance, it is a controlled substance and plenty of truck drivers are prescribed it without issue. Of course that shows up on a normal DOT 5 panel so they have to make sure to have their prescription info handy just in case. But that initial failure stays between the driver and drug test lab as long as they can provide proof they are using it correctly.
It’s the medication itself that is an issue. Anything that can alter your state of awareness, especially on the drowsy side, is a huge liability to allow drivers to use. No DOT Physician is going to want to take the chance on that and give you a pass, same thing with most trucking companies. God forbid you get into an accident and that comes up that they knew about it, they are screwed. You’re going to be screwed either way if it comes up, whether you say anything or don’t. You’ll have to fight tooth and nail against teams of lawyers to prove that you were not under the effects of the medication.
DukeBradford2@reddit
It is illegal to have anything that makes you drowsy in your truck or your body. Not even benadryl is allowed.
Dezzolve@reddit
That is completely false.
The only FMCSA guidelines that even touch on this subject are that you should avoid taking medications that make you drowsy before operating a CMV, and if you do take them you have to make sure you are no longer under the effects before driving.
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
I thought that wasn't the case for certain prescription medications. Thought you were allowed Benadryl or the like if off duty and not driving.
leadpoem@reddit
So I just looked up the side effects for Lunesta and apparently sleepwalking is one of them. Now I don't know if you suffer from that side effect at all. That could easily lead to sleep driving your truck, which seems wildly dangerous to me. Honestly man, I don't think this would be a good idea regardless of whether you can get hired or not.
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
I don’t have any side effects been taking it for a year almost a little more all it does is help me sleep. When I first started it had some side effects like dry mouth but it went away after my body got used to it.
PlastomaGaming@reddit
I mean besides all that if you have trouble sleeping trucking Ain’t for you man just being honest here, you won’t have a consistent sleep schedule or amount of sleep.
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
Don't really have a consistent sleep schedule now with my current job. I could be up all night or during the day as long as I get 6-7 hours of sleep after taking the medication I'm good.
Are you able to get that amount of sleep I think sleeper birth time is 10hours is that correct?
PlastomaGaming@reddit
10 hour reset is what you’re referring to but that 10 isn’t just for sleeping ya know? Gotta eat, shower and shit right? Just wanted to throw all that out there, 10 hours feels like a lot until you only got 10 hours lol
SignificantIce8564@reddit (OP)
I get ya, I know there's other things you have to do besides sleep. I mean I plan on meal prepping and just trying to plan ahead as much as possible since I know the road can already be highly unpredictable. I don't know I'm working almost 80-90 plus hours per week between 2 jobs and 1 freelance job. Was hoping trucking would be a good fit since a company would pay for training and school doesn't seem as long as other trades but guess not.