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Post by truckertom on Jun 27, 2004 12:05:19 GMT -5
"You obviously are good at what you do and were made to be a trucker since you have 37 years in"
It is 27 years, 37 was ten years down the road.
Here is my point and this is not a personal slam against anyone with depression.
Paxil is expensive, if you can go without it you are better off. If you can handle life without it, you are better off. If you do not have to pay the doctor, you are better off. If you can keep a job better without it, you are better off.
But if you can't go without it, then stay off the road. Why would you want to drive a70 MPH, 80,000 pound guided missle while on anti-depression medication? And this observation does not make me ignorant or a hater of the depressed.
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Post by slubros on Jun 27, 2004 17:01:16 GMT -5
Don't you think that comment is a little extreme? Please don't compare me to a pedophile or an alcoholic I firmly believe that someone with clinical depression but on the proper medication CAN be a successful OTR trucker. Admittedly, I'm not one of them. Every human being is different; just because I couldn't cut it doesn't mean that every one with clinical depression is the same as me. Werner did not turn me away because I take Prozac; the doctor who gave me my brief physical didn't even mention it. Maybe someone in Omaha would have caught it later but I'll never know if it would have been an issue or not. But I really do understand your overall point of if you're not physically or mentally prepared for being an OTR trucker, then don't waste your time. That was my problem last year. I went off of Paxil to go to truck driving school. That went okay but when I got into OTR training, I couldn't cope with the stress of being on the road. I've been taking Prozac since then and it's been working fine; fine for my everyday life but not good enough for the OTR life. Answer to your question. I don't want to but I tried to convice myself that I did. Lucky for you, I caught myself before I went any further.
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Post by truckertom on Jun 30, 2004 21:24:55 GMT -5
"Just as alcoholics cannot work in a distillery, pedophiles should not work in nursery schools people with clinical depression should not work in OTR trucking."
Sorry feller, I didn't write that.
Let me ask you a very reasonable question, are you really intrested in the trucking industry? If so, have you considered doing something besides driving? There is a hell of alot more to do in trucking than driving a truck! You might look into dispatch, truck repair, freight brokering.....You might think about becoming a tester for the state at a DMV (DPS). There is alot of behind the scenes things to do in trucking, and I am sure that if you have a documented case of depression, you may qualify for rehab training paid for by the state.
"You don't have to have hemmoroids to drive a truck, but it helps!"
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Post by slubros on Jul 2, 2004 9:10:35 GMT -5
Sure, I have and I've been there, done that.
Have a degree in transportation and spent about five years doing customer service related stuff for companies that specialized in intermodal (rail) transportation. Got fired in summer 2001 and it's been all downhill since then. So finally, I decided to try truck driving as a last resort, thinking that I knew a little bit about how the trucking industry works but boy, was I wrong!
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Post by truckertom on Jul 3, 2004 19:31:33 GMT -5
I have an old boss that ran an Amertranz Worldwide termanil (Carribean Air Service, Tradewinds, etc. etc. etc.) Y'know, one of those companies that seem to chnge owners every year. And after shutting down our local terminal, he now drives a truck for a living. He said he just got sick of the freight business and decided to go for it.
Reality in trucking?: Nothing fair about it. If you pulled half the stuff that truckers put up with on any other labor group in America, thier protests would be on every TV network in the country. But the trucker silently hauls the freight and any injustice is ignored.
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Post by Pcuthbert on Sept 15, 2004 14:34:21 GMT -5
I know this thread has been quiet for a while.
It boils down to the use of prescription drugs to deal with a clinical diagnosis. Between the doctor and the patient, a suitable solution for a problem can usually be found. Will it involve the use of drugs? In North America it normally will.
Can there be other solutions? There may well be, but with the current attitude in America that taking a pill will solve all your problems they will not likely be explored.
Have you looked at the product monographs for drugs lately? They all carry the disclaimer: "the use of this drug may cause (the standard litany)".
Even stimulant drugs carry the warning that they "may cause drowsiness". Why? Because of the CYA mentality.
Can you imagine if tractors came with the warning sticker "improper use of this vehicle may result in death", what might come from a court case?
What if your drinking water faucet had a warning label stating that "consumption of this water may be detrimental to your health".
Overstating things? Maybe, but there are many situations that are not safe. Recognizing them and reacting responsibly is the best solution.
Pat
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Sept 15, 2004 16:49:35 GMT -5
Paxil relieves a variety of emotional problems. It can be prescribed for serious, continuing depression that interferes with your ability to function. Symptoms of this type of depression often include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, a persistent low mood, loss of interest in people and activities, decreased sex drive, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and slowed thinking.
Paxil is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a disease marked by unwanted, but stubbornly persistent thoughts, or unreasonable rituals you feel compelled to repeat.
In addition, Paxil is prescribed for panic disorder, a crippling emotional problem characterized by sudden attacks of at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, shaking, numbness, chills or hot flashes, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, chest pain, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or faintness, feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control, or fear of dying.
Paxil can be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, a disease marked by excessive anxiety and worry that persists for at least 6 months and can't be easily controlled. True cases of generalized anxiety disorder are accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling, a tendency to tire easily, difficulty concentrating or spells when the mind goes blank, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
Paxil can be used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), a condition marked by shyness or stage fright so intense that it interferes with an individual's work and social life.
Paxil is also prescribed for posttraumatic stress disorder--a crippling condition that sometimes develops in reaction to a disastrous or horrifying experience. Symptoms, which stubbornly refuse to abate, include unwanted memories and dreams, intense distress when confronted with reminders of the event, a general numbing of interest and enjoyment, jumpiness, irritability, poor sleep, and loss of concentration.
Sorry guys, I just had to point out that PAXIL is used to treat a variety of disorders. Not just depression.
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Sept 15, 2004 16:57:09 GMT -5
Now for what slubros is taking:
Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts.
Prozac is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.
In addition, Prozac is used to treat panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks--feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.
In children and adolescents, Prozac is used to treat major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Under the brand name Sarafem, the active ingredient in Prozac is also prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), formerly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms of PMDD include mood problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability or persistent anger, mood swings, and tension. Physical problems that accompany PMDD include bloating, breast tenderness, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks before a woman's menstrual period and are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities and relationships.
Prozac is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Prozac slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Sept 15, 2004 17:18:27 GMT -5
I want ya'll to know that I mean no disrespect, nor am I trying to be antagonistic. Fozzy Please read the last paragragh in the Prozac post!! And you may want to re-think your side effect opinion. Those are actually symptoms. As you can tell from reading about both drugs, they basically treat the same disorders. With Prozac tending to be the womans drug of choice . Both were headlines in this A.M.'s news, for the effects they are having on children and teens. Please don't get me wrong, I believe the taking of a drug for any reason, should be considered into the safety factor. But ya'll are knocking drugs that 1 in 7 of our nations children are taking right now. Ever heard of ADHD. Riddilin isn't always the drug of choice. Are we to tell these kids that they can't cope. Aren't normal. Can't function in the real world. ? Trust me on this one guys, some people need to be medicated. In advance, please forgive me if I've offended anybody, as that was not my intention.
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Post by truckertom on Sept 15, 2004 21:14:58 GMT -5
I know there are humans that have some troubles that most of us would never understand. I have my own set of troubles that I have to live with everyday, some of those troubles are why I am an instructor today instead of a driver.
If I had medical insurance (most schools don't) I am sure I could go right down and get pills to cure my ills. I have a really bad case of Tenitius, this is a terrible ringing in the ears both day and night, 24/7. It never goes away, it has caused some emotional troubles in many. It was caused when a truck tire blew up about 18 inches away from my right ear! I am lucky to be alive today.
Now I have trouble passing the DOT hearing test and one day I will have to wear hearing aids. But I am not about to go down and start the process yet! I have learned to cope with it although doctors have wanted to prescribe me pills to cope with it. But I have tried these before and I know that I have no business driving a truck while taking them.
But if an experienced driver tells you that you have no business driving a truck while taking these pills, it isn't meant as a personal slam! You may be a great guy or gal, so just remember that we are still here to help you. And if the medication is serious enough to keep you off the road, then that is just the way it is. If it is something you can overcome so you can drive, then overcome it if you can.
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Sept 21, 2004 18:41:39 GMT -5
Thank you Tom, I appreciate your candor. I'm sorry that you were basically knocked out of the drivers seat, by a freak accident.
I honestly do understand where you and fozzy are coming from..
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Sabot
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by Sabot on Sept 24, 2004 15:31:37 GMT -5
With all the love and affection in this thread, This needs to be over at truck.net where it will fit right in the mix of things there
Sabot
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Post by Nothing4Names on Nov 3, 2004 17:47:01 GMT -5
TT and Fozzy, you may know about trucking, but you know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about clinical depression. It isn't just a case of "the blues" and it isn't just "taking a pill to get over" one's "ills". In fact, many of us who have this disease tried hard to avoidavoid medication. That's one of the aspects of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (I think they're different degrees of the same thing though some researchers disagree with me)-to this person, taking mind-altering medication means giving up control. I had suffered from an anxiety problem for about a year-and-a-half (I was trying to fix a very dysfunctional marriage). One night, I slept 'til about 1:30 a.m. and awakened very jittery. I knew immediately that something was verywrong..that something had changed. I woke about every hour for the rest of the night. Believe me, this stuff scared the hell out of me!! It felt very much as if I was losing my mind. That began a period of about six weeks in which I rarely slept at night. One night I only slept for fifteen minutes! Food also lost quite a bit of its' taste and the entire world seemed literally as if it had a thin, dark veil over it. This was 10 years ago. It's painful to even think about it. I tried therapy for awhile; it was extremely painful but beneficial. However, I couldn't keep up with the cost of that. My insurance covered more of the drug cost than the therapy cost. This has been kept in some check by the use of an anti-anxiety medication and an anti-depressant which work well together. Unfortunately depression carries with it some anxiety and if one happens to be even a little obsessive/compulsive, that combines with depression in a very wicked way to make BOTH worse! I'm thinking seriously of becoming a truck driver. Several of the medicines I'm on (also one for GERD) can cause drowsiness. The anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications DO cause drowsiness with me; however, I have been a courier and have successfully driven for ten or more hours at a time without falling asleep at the wheel (caffeine helps!). So, you see, SOME people who take these drugs (and MANY drugs can cause drowsiness) CAN effectively deal with the symptoms and drive! By the way, both of the drugs I'm on ARE on the DOT's "approved" list. Thanks, though, for the suggestion to contact the company and make sure that this meets with company policy. Of course, there is ALSO the option of not telling the company and just trying very hard not to have an accident. Yes, this potentially puts the company in a bad position if there is a suit, but if also puts the prospective driver in the position of possibly having to commit perjury. On the other hand, I wonder if it could be argued that the driver wasn't asleep and that these drugs are approved by the DOT after careful consideration (careful enough that one of mine formerly was NOT approved). People function on this stuff successfully (and sometimes in high-stress and safety-conscious jobs) ALL DAY EVERY DAY all across the US. Do I wish I didn't have to take the stuff? HELL YES..but the alternative is worse. Also, not being able to find employment that is both satisfying and makes sufficient money CAN BE A SOURCE OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. So, you see, the cat chases its' tail! By the way, depression has been defined as anger turned inward.
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Post by Knowledge Seeker on Nov 5, 2004 6:47:47 GMT -5
Take my opinion on getting info on this meds! Werner has I think on their mind and it is not YOU! I should know I just off their truck from training and if I would have known in advance what the actual truth was I would have never even looked twice at Werner. They will keep on on a truck as long as they can due to their making a wag of money off you. He is and example and numerous complaints from trainee drivers. 275 hours policy (RIGHT) My experience and a lot others too! Week 1 > 70 hours of service lucky you will get 4 to 6 hours a day. Week 2 they will send you into New York, New Jersey for seems a life time. Major of time parked, traffic jams or just running little short routes. Then your trainer decide to do home time possible 4 to 6 days gone, motel time. The way I look at your situation Werner will put you in a truck with trainer, after training their going to pull the some old nuts. Sorry your medical report indicate you can drive for this company. They used for training purposes only. Example for me, out 42 days hours drive time was 189 behind wheel. Average drive time per day 4.5 hours. This was not due to my ability to drive, it was short routes, swaps, split loads and down time due to New York and New Jersey runs. At 189 hours speed at average 50 = .36 cent per mile is $3402.00 for Werner Your weekly wage is $325.00 before taxes. The longest run we had run was 543 miles then right back to the East coast. The Quallcomm is a major headache for trainees too. They love to slam you on line 4 constantly. Their watching you like a hawk. Just my opinion double even triple check your med status and make sure your willing to actual triple your out time for Werner. Werner knows all and they just wait to Enterprises you when you least expect it!
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Post by Fozzy on Nov 5, 2004 17:06:54 GMT -5
Obviously these meds effect the section of the brain that controls the difference between REALITY and FACT! It is a FACT that you MAY drive while on these meds. It is a REALITY that some companies WILL NOT HIRE YOU! There are companies that will protect themselves LEGALLY from the trial lawyers. This means that hiring people who are on meds that have SIDE EFFECTS listed on the meds will put them in DANGER of being sued for MILLIONS even if the driver on the meds do NOTHING WRONG!!!!
It aint "fair" but it is legally SMART! Quit trying to dress people down because YOU have a potential problem getting hired. WE didn't invent this problem! The trial lawyers and the sue happy morons have!
Fozzy
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