CDL Drivers, Say No To Coumadin.....

[Kennesaw Kid]

We discussed this at our Union meeting in November 2011, and several have asked for this information again....so here it is.....KK



Say No to Coumadin

[SCRABBLE]

I've been on coumadin for 10 years. No ill effects, no problem. Why do you feel the need to worry people when it is not necessary? Do you think a competeing drug maker may have put out that story? Every drug has side effects. I get a DOT physical every year. No problem for me what so ever. Coumadin saved my life.

[jimmy g]

Make sure you inform your doctor before scheduling an operation though. I've read that it takes about a week to clear out from your system, and you don't want to 'bleed out' on the operation table. One of my daughter's friend's Dad took Plavix, had an operation, and pretty much did just that. They had to give him 5 units of blood in recovery, he died of complications a few days later....

[Kennesaw Kid]

I've been on coumadin for 10 years. No ill effects, no problem. Why do you feel the need to worry people when it is not necessary? Do you think a competeing drug maker may have put out that story? Every drug has side effects. I get a DOT physical every year. No problem for me what so ever. Coumadin saved my life.

Like everything else here on TB....some just read what they want to see, and do not read ALL of the story....

"FMCSA/DOT §391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers. Subpart E - Physical qualifications and examinations
Question 8: Is the use of coumadin, an anticoagulant, an automatic disqualification for drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce?

Guidance: No. Although the FHWA 1987 ‘‘Conference on Cardiac Disorders and Commercial Drivers’’ recommended that drivers who are taking anticoagulants not be allowed to drive, the agency has not adopted a rule to that effect. The medical examiner and treating specialist may, but are not required to, accept the Conference recommendations. Therefore, the use of coumadin is not an automatic disqualification, but a factor to be considered in determining the driver’s physical qualification status"

With the daily changing of DOT Medical Requirements, the Doctor that gives you your DOT Card....MAY take you out of service for 30 days if you take Coumadin.

Remember, in the next few months a Doctor MUST be approved and certified by the DOT to give DOT Medical Cards, and they too will be held liable if someone who is not fit as a CDL driver gets involved in a crash.....no more running them through a medical exam like cattle. Read all of the story, and the hyper-links to ALL of the information in the story.

Several drivers did not want to listen when I was warning of the Sleep Apnea problem and what will be required in the future to be a CDL driver.....many did not listen and are sitting at home for sleep studys and having to go on a machine in order to get DOT qualifed every 90 days......get fit, loose the weight and you will not have to worry about it!.....KK

[kevin653]

Make sure you inform your doctor before scheduling an operation though. I've read that it takes about a week to clear out from your system, and you don't want to 'bleed out' on the operation table. One of my daughter's friend's Dad took Plavix, had an operation, and pretty much did just that. They had to give him 5 units of blood in recovery, he died of complications a few days later....

Sad thing, but every scheduled surgery I have had required a pre-op visit, where amongst other screenings , all my medications were gone over and advice on each with respect to take or dont take was given in writing.This usually happens about a week before the surgery date. This happens in Mass. in the hospitals I have been to.The surgeon goes so far as to initial the area to be worked on before you get knocked out, and you get an admission wrist ban with a UPC code. They are very careful in my experiences.

[Renscout]

thanks KK
for all the info

[SCRABBLE]

Like everything else here on TB....some just read what they want to see, and do not read ALL of the story....

"FMCSA/DOT §391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers. Subpart E - Physical qualifications and examinations
Question 8: Is the use of coumadin, an anticoagulant, an automatic disqualification for drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce?

Guidance: No. Although the FHWA 1987 ‘‘Conference on Cardiac Disorders and Commercial Drivers’’ recommended that drivers who are taking anticoagulants not be allowed to drive, the agency has not adopted a rule to that effect. The medical examiner and treating specialist may, but are not required to, accept the Conference recommendations. Therefore, the use of coumadin is not an automatic disqualification, but a factor to be considered in determining the driver’s physical qualification status"

With the daily changing of DOT Medical Requirements, the Doctor that gives you your DOT Card....MAY take you out of service for 30 days if you take Coumadin.

Remember, in the next few months a Doctor MUST be approved and certified by the DOT to give DOT Medical Cards, and they too will be held liable if someone who is not fit as a CDL driver gets involved in a crash.....no more running them through a medical exam like cattle. Read all of the story, and the hyper-links to ALL of the information in the story.

Several drivers did not want to listen when I was warning of the Sleep Apnea problem and what will be required in the future to be a CDL driver.....many did not listen and are sitting at home for sleep studys and having to go on a machine in order to get DOT qualifed every 90 days......get fit, loose the weight and you will not have to worry about it!.....KK

I did read all of the story. I go to my DOT physical with a note from my GP stating that I am on Coumadin, it is monitored bi weekly, and I am able to operate a commercial vehicle with NO RESTRICTIONS. That's all the guy wants to see. As long as his azz is covered. He makes a copy of the note and that's that. Why must people insist upon complicating a very simple process?
If drivers are NOT fit to drive, then by all means they should be put out of service. That is a no brainer.

[Triplex]

Coumadin is a medicine?? Crap, here all the while I thought it was Gunga's younger brother!

[pilot108]

Now I KNOW YOUR OLD!!!

[Triplex]

Now I KNOW YOUR OLD!!!

Yea, but it takes one to know one!!