Medical Question about Class A in CA
 

Hi all,
I am hopeing that someone has some experience with this or can at least steer me in the right direction. I am currently trying to get my class A in California. I went to the DMV for my test and they told me that my doctor didn't fill out my medical forms correctly, so I took the papers to my doc so he could fix them. Well, I did everything they told me to do with the medical forms and I took and passed two of the three parts of the test. A couple days later I got a new medical packet in the mail from the DMV - they said that they need me to have my doctor fill it out and return it within 10 days or I will lose my license (Class C too!). What the heck!
The only thing that concerns me is that I am a gulf war vet and diagnosed with Seasonal Depression and have been prescribed Wellbutrin. Could they have denied my medical paperwork because of this? I guess I made the stupid mistake of actually putting this on the medical form, but its too late now. Does anyone know if the DMV can deny me my Class A because of depression and/or the anti-depressant I am taking? Does anyone know where I can get this info? Also, I know the doctor would not advise against me getting the Class A for these reasons.

Thanks - I got a family to support!

They can, and they will. You need to see a doctor who is versed in DOT regulations. They can tell you what antidepressants are allowed for a CDL holder. Not all of them are. You may end up needing to change your prescription medication.

Thanks... Any chance you know where I can find a website or list of doctors who work with the DOT? Or do I just call around?
Thanks

I would call around your area, or look online in your area for "DOT Physical"

Not sure where you are in CA, but call around to clinics in your area. I used a US Healthworks for the last few times (only $60). I know the Med7 clinics do these things all the time and the docs SHOULD know if there is an alternate med that will not DQ you.

Depression might be agrivated by trucking...

Stay out long enough and you will begin to experience sensory deprivation...(very easy to do..)

They should be able to fix your meds.

Let us know how it pans out.

I have some experience with anti-depressants and the DOT (federal):
I was taking Effexor. Took it for 9 years, in fact.
When I became concerned about qualifying for a class A CDL had a heart-to-heart with my doctor who gave me the following advice.
Don't tell them. Never tell anyone. You, and you alone, are their only source of information. If you don't tell them you are taking Wellbutrin they not only can not find out, but they had BETTER NOT find out.
The information in your doctor's office is protected by law, and it is going to stay there unless YOU let it out. We can't make Bill Clinton tell us exactly what is unusual about his penis (although there have been several guesses) and no one can make you tell what medications you are taking. No one.
If someone found out what medication you are taking, you would have no need to drive a truck because you would be suing the doctor's office and he would be scrambling to settle. Fast. Nurses are fired every day because they have gotten caught just accessing information. Not telling anyone. Just accessing it without your or your doctor's authorization.

So I don't tell them. If the DOT would provide a list of disqualifying medications I would feel differently, but they have not done so as far as I can find out. They want you to turn yourself in, and THEN leave it up to someone else to take the "blame" if you have an accident because THEY said you were OK to drive.
You and I both know that it is far, far safer to drive while you are using Wellbutrin than it is driving depressed. And just like you said: We have families to support.

I check "no" in the boxes and never speak of anti-depressants.

I looked for a list of DOT disapproved drugs and all I could find is a statement that if you're taking a habit forming drug then your DR. has to sign off that you're OK to drive and not a danger to everyone.

It's possible your DR. didn't fill out the form correctly again. Or perhaps it's to get the DR to sign off as I mentioned above. Look the form over to see what they want.

If all else fails do as Rev said and get a DR. that knows DOT regs.

BTW...it's better to be on the right meds and not have a Class A than vice versa.

Thank you for your replies. I am just going to go to Kaiser (thats where my company sends employees for our medical tests). I just noticed on the form that it says medical reexamination and instructs the physician to send the form directly to the DMV. Hopefully it all works out and now I know which information to keep to myself!

Concentra does DOT physicals.