SERIOUS question here..... (Help Needed)

[unkut2003]

Ok, so as a lot of you know, or maybe not, I've always had a problem with frequesnt migraine headaches. I've taken just about EVERY med and tried EVERY plan available to man.... and nothing.

ANYWAYS..... so I've finally found the "WONDER" drug for me. Its called Fioricet W/Codeine. Now this is of course a narcotic medication with its active ingredients being Codeine (a narcotic pain reliever) and butalbital (a central nervous system depressant). It also has Tylenoyl and Caffeine.....

So my question is..... I start with a new employer Monday third shift as a Class A Driver. Now when I get off 7ish am Tuesday morning, I am to go to the doc and submit to a urine drug screen. Now at my previous employer, Coca Cola, everytime I had to drop urine I received a call from the company that performed the screening saying that I failed my test for Codeine, which I would say was a prescription med and would have to fax them proof each and every time. Now that wasn't a problem for me and eventually became normal. Now, for this test I have to take this Tuesday morning, for a "new" employer, I'll obviouslly fail for Codeine as well.

How should I handle this??? Should I just take the test and give the tester a copy of my prescription and wait for the call.... hoping that they'll call me before just reporting a FAIL to the employer??? Should I explain my situation to the employer Monday night so they can be prepared.... but then maybe chance my job being at risk for being a driver with a narcotic prescription???

I honestly feel stuck here!!! Now to end the questions now, NO I don't take these meds when I drive, and barely at all during the work week. These are for times that regular Excedrin Migraine and the like dosen't work. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[GMAN]

You need to tell them when you go in to give your test. It would probably be a good idea to take a copy of the prescription with you as well. They may or may not ask for the prescription. If you are up front with them, it will avoid some problems. I would explain the reason you take them and that you don't take the prescription while on duty.

[unkut2003]

You need to tell them when you go in to give your test. It would probably be a good idea to take a copy of the prescription with you as well. They may or may not ask for the prescription. If you are up front with them, it will avoid some problems. I would explain the reason you take them and that you don't take the prescription while on duty.

Alrighty then.... I'll do that. I guess I was worried about it being a driving job and me on a narcotic prescription.... you know? I'd like to get a positive repor and trust in the company before I endulge them with any negative news. I'm just scared that these damn migraines are not only affecting me physically, but will now prove deadly in my career field!!! But like I said, I NEVER use them on duty.... I always stick it out until I get home...... ALWAYS!!!

[Karnajj]

You should have told the company about it on your application instead of worrying about it now. Hope the company doesn't look upon this as negatively as I think they will.

[unkut2003]

You should have told the company about it on your application instead of worrying about it now. Hope the company doesn't look upon this as negatively as I think they will.

What do you mean on the application??? So under "QUALIFICATIONS" I put:

Class A CDL w/Endorsements (Tanker, HAZMAT, Doubles/Triples, Air)
Forklift Certification
3.67 G.P.A. Ashland University
I take Narcotic meds for migraines!


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....... now that you SEE what you said, do you SEE how damn stupid it sounds..... Its a medical problem that in NO WAY effects my work ethic/performance!!! I never take these at work, and barely 1-2 every week. I only use these when I'm home.... period. So why would I even apply anywhere if I added that to my resume or put it on an application???? Why not say I LOVE black porn, I hated my last job, and I've got an anger problem as well??? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[RebelDarlin]

You should have told the company about it on your application instead of worrying about it now. Hope the company doesn't look upon this as negatively as I think they will.

What do you mean on the application??? So under "QUALIFICATIONS" I put:

Class A CDL w/Endorsements (Tanker, HAZMAT, Doubles/Triples, Air)
Forklift Certification
3.67 G.P.A. Ashland University
I take Narcotic meds for migraines!


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....... now that you SEE what you said, do you SEE how damn stupid it sounds..... Its a medical problem that in NO WAY effects my work ethic/performance!!! I never take these at work, and barely 1-2 every week. I only use these when I'm home.... period. So why would I even apply anywhere if I added that to my resume or put it on an application???? Why not say I LOVE black porn, I hated my last job, and I've got an anger problem as well??? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Not as "funny" as it sounds. I was rejected by Schneider for having a "history of migraines", I don't take any narcotic meds to treat them. Some companies apparently follow this a little too closely lumping ALL migraines as possibly neurological in nature http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/neuro.pdf

Also here's the link to the topic when I asked about it.
http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...er=asc&start=0

The people here are trying to help you. If you have a MEDICAL CONDITION that you don't tell them about and they find out later, they don't usually take it very well.

Hope it helps!

Reb

[Karnajj]

I think that you must be on some other kind of drug besides what you take for your migraines because your post makes no sense at all. With your attitude why even worry about the drug test at all?
My point was if you knew that there would be a problem with your drug screen you would have been better off letting them know that right from the start rather than worrying about it now.

But I can see from your post that you would rather take your chances by lying and being a *****. That will get you really far in this business. But hey, you seem to have all the answers for a no experience newb.

[unkut2003]

I think that you must be on some other kind of drug besides what you take for your migraines because your post makes no sense at all. With your attitude why even worry about the drug test at all?
My point was if you knew that there would be a problem with your drug screen you would have been better off letting them know that right from the start rather than worrying about it now.

But I can see from your post that you would rather take your chances by lying and being a *****. That will get you really far in this business. But hey, you seem to have all the answers for a no experience newb.

Well I do remember the noob days, lol, oh so long ago! I've got 5 1/2 years personal employed experience and a family trucking background since I was born, 26 years ago! I've been in, around, and behind the wheel of a truck for roughly 12 years now... :wink: Anyways, maybe my frustration and nervousness got the best of me and I over reacted to your previous post. I do apologize and will move on.

As for the meds, I was attempting to practice abstenence to clense myself for the test, as to not shed any negative light, but I had a terrible migraine and couldn't! I do have recent paperwork from my neurologist stating NO neurological defects, and my migrains are believed to be from tension. However there is no cure or positive diagnosis for migraines as of yet! But I used the trusty old GOOGLE and the Codeine will be in my system 2 days at most. So I will try to avoid them as much as possible in the days before the test. But I WILL bring this up to the terminal mgr. the day I start and explain my situation. Therefore should anything arise, atleast I can say I did ask for advice form "up the ladder"... 8)

[steelhauler2007]

You should have told them during the interview.The company I used to work for had a driver that had Migraines. He didn't tell the company.One day he had a migraine, while driving down the road, and passed out. The driver was not hurt,but the lady in the car he hit was killed. The lawyers looked back at his past medical history and saw he was being treated for migraines. The lawyers took off on that and he ended up doing some time for it. Do your self,your family and everybody else a favor and tell them A.S.A .P.

[greg3564]

At what point does discrimination come into play when you disclose health problems? I think Schneider uses the "health screening" as a front to lower their health premiums by having employees who won't use it as much. By doing that they save millions per year in health care costs.

If you disclose your condition to a doctor during your physical and a doctor signs off on your DOT medical card, that should be good enough. Your health information is protected by law. As long as you disclosed it and were honest on your DOT medical I wouldn't tell a potential employer anything.

As far as the drug test, I believe that the company must contact you if you test positive. The Medical Review Officer will call you and you can explain that you have a prescription. That should suffice. As long as you don't take the medicine while you work I wouldn't worry about it.

[ladydrifter]

drink more water migraines are a way of telling you that fluids are needed just like leg cramps,also see a chiropractor they will do miracles!

[fireman932003]

drink more water migraines are a way of telling you that fluids are needed just like leg cramps,also see a chiropractor they will do miracles!

Not true. Yes, low fluid levels can be a cause for them, but not the sole reason. Blood pressure among other things can cause them. Cramps usually come from low iron in the system.

[Useless]

drink more water migraines are a way of telling you that fluids are needed just like leg cramps,also see a chiropractor they will do miracles!

Fireman Wrote:
Not true. Yes, low fluid levels can be a cause for them, but not the sole reason. Blood pressure among other things can cause them. Cramps usually come from low iron in the system.

Useless Wrote:

Fireman and Ladydrifter:

Lack of fluids CAN be a cause or a contributing factor to migraine headaches, but as you poited out, there may be other contributing factors a well.

To say that "Ladydrifter's" comments are "Not True" is only a half truth in and of itself.

Lack of fluids and dehydration DO, in fact, deplete the caranuim of fluids that serve as natures "shock absorber", which serves as a buffer between the brain tissue and the bone masss of the skull.

At the same time, water alone will not always solve the problem. If electrolytes or pottassium levels are depleted, then the body's ability to "deliver the fluids where they are needed" is compromised as well.

The science of headaches, and particularly Migraine H/A's is very inexact. There are many different variables, some of which are known, many of which are unknown. Allergies, even viruses, as well as imbalances within the endocrine system can be contributing factors, buy the degrees of these parameters remains largely unknown.

There are many other contibuting factors as well, but empirical medical evidence CLEARLY supports reduction, and prefferably, complete elemination of cafiene, as well as increasing consumption of certain sports drinks such as Gatorade, and bananas can help as well.

As for Chiropractic care?? That MAY be an alternative, but only of the migraine is the result of spinal or skull allignment.

[unkut2003]

Well I've been to a Chiropractor and Neurologist..... both came back with negative readings for fluid build ups, neurological disorders, and anurisms (sp?). I really don't feel like typing my full diagnosis, but it boiled down to severe tension migraines.... with no known cure.... only drugs or remedies!!!

[GMAN]

Perhaps deep breathing could help you to relax and relieve some stress. Exercise can also help. If it is stress related, then you need to find a way to relieve some of the stress. Hot tea can sometimes help. Regular tea has helped me to get rid of a headache. Some people like green tea. One that is good is sleepy time. It relaxes me so much I can fall off to sleep.