Quote:
Originally Posted by SamiJami
I'm almost 24. I meant that I graduated in December and now it's February. I'm being told that I'm not a new enough graduate to be considered as such. I've put in individual apps, used this site twice, bubbajunk.com, and called around for local stuff. 2 companies said they'd work with me to be home but neither like to return my calls/emails.
I'm positive the medicine if offputting. But if I don't take it, my health doesn't do as well. Considering how much I've improved being on it, I need to stay on it. I have multiple sclerosis. I have no problem changing my license from state to state.
Have you actually been told, by a doctor that understands DOT requirements for physical fitness, that you can drive truck over the road? You actually passed a DOT physical with MS? OR...did you not inform the examiner that you have been diagnosed with MS?
I don't get it. With over-weight drivers being targeted for disqualification....someone whom has been diagnosed with a muscular disease that is known to cause the inability to control the truck, is declared qualified??
I think you need to sit back and take a good hard look at the situation. IF you are telling all these carriers where you have applied, that you do in fact have MS and are on medication for it.....THAT (the MS) could be the reason you receive no response. I seriously doubt that the insurance company of any carrier, is going to allow you to be behind the wheel of a truck....even if the DOT may say you can be.
Granted...I don't know enough about which diseases are receiving medical wavers. But seriously. Can a degenerative muscular disease be wavered??
Heart disease....Yes.
Diabetes...yes
MS??
These are the disqualifing health disorders, from the FMCSA guidlines, in section;
Quote:
391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers
(3) Has no established medical history or clinical
diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for
control;
(4) Has no current clinical
diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency,
thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be
accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac
failure.
(5) Has no established
medical history or clinical diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely to
interfere with his/her ability to control and drive a commercial motor vehicle
safely;
(6) Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure
likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle
safely;
(7) Has no established
medical history or clinical diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic,
muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease which interferes with his/her
ability to control and operate a commercial motor vehicle safely;
(8) Has no established
medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which
is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a
commercial motor vehicle;
(9) Has no mental, nervous,
organic, or functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with
his/her ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle safely;
MS is a "neuromuscular" disease. How can even a
young man or woman, whom has been diagnosed with it, receive an exemption??
Young man or lady...I don't want to sound cruel....but you need to talk with your doctor and get more in-depth information about your health........and learn more about the stresses this profession places on a healthy body, let alone one with a condition such as you have admitted to having. I can appreciate that you love to travel. I love it myself. But...........you have to be realistic with yourself too.
I have a nephew whom is more than 50% disabled, with Cerebral Palsy. He absolutely loves to drive. BUT.........He knows that driving TRUCKS are beyond his physical capability. He is 28.