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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sebastian on April 2, 2007, at 13:47:17
My doctor won't let me be a truck driver because I drink 2-3 drinks a day. Says I would have to go to AA and quit drinking for a year. Why. She says she wouldn't let me pass the physical. Is this normal?
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 8, 2007, at 7:13:15
In reply to 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Sebastian on April 2, 2007, at 13:47:17
Probably not in Europe. I think 2-3 drinks/day is a pretty normal range here, maybe on 4 or 5 days out of 7 perhaps.
I'm almost certain that the docs here in Europe wouldn't even raise an eyebrow at that level of alcohol consumption - I think its pretty moderate to be honest. What kind of drinks are you having?
Posted by Sebastian on April 8, 2007, at 15:43:24
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 8, 2007, at 7:13:15
1.5 ounces of 100proof vodca in 12 ounces diet mountain dew. Not often is it 4 and especialy not often is 5(very rare). Do you think its my doctor? I'm here in the USA. I measure every drink with a 1.5 ounce shot glass. I take meds.
Posted by scratchpad on April 9, 2007, at 19:57:55
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Sebastian on April 8, 2007, at 15:43:24
> 1.5 ounces of 100proof vodca in 12 ounces diet mountain dew. Not often is it 4 and especialy not often is 5(very rare). Do you think its my doctor? I'm here in the USA. I measure every drink with a 1.5 ounce shot glass. I take meds.
I do think a lot of it is cultural. Plus if it's the same doctor that you consult for medications like antidepressants or other psych meds he might be thinking along the lines of drug interactions.
best,
Scratchpad
Posted by Sebastian on April 11, 2007, at 15:46:37
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver? » Sebastian, posted by scratchpad on April 9, 2007, at 19:57:55
My pdoc is ok with me being a truck driver, it the gp that isn't. She prescribes niaspan and toprol. blood pressure and cholesterol.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 14, 2007, at 16:41:28
In reply to 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Sebastian on April 2, 2007, at 13:47:17
> My doctor won't let me be a truck driver because I drink 2-3 drinks a day. Says I would have to go to AA and quit drinking for a year. Why. She says she wouldn't let me pass the physical. Is this normal?
It may be your doctor's policy, but the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations are more lenient. You may not report to work with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 0.04, cannot possess alcohol in the truck (even when in the sleeper), cannot drink within 4 hours of being on duty. That's about all there is to it. Employers have the right to set more stringent regulations.
Once licensed, you're subject to random drug and alcohol testing. You'd also automatically be tested after a motor vehicle collision.
If the medical form has a clause about diagnosed substance abuse disorder, that might be where the resistance lies. (Each state has their own form.) If so, get your physical somewhere else.
Lar
Posted by Sebastian on April 17, 2007, at 21:53:14
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver? » Sebastian, posted by Larry Hoover on April 14, 2007, at 16:41:28
Thanks thats what I thought. This same doctor told me I was an alcoholic when I drank 3 drinks a week. I was like WHAT? She also only belives in brand medication. And told me I had diabeties with a fasting blood glucose of 100. One point too high for her. I have seriously considered a new doctor, I just don't want to go throught the hastle.
Posted by crenshaw387 on April 27, 2007, at 5:36:33
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Sebastian on April 17, 2007, at 21:53:14
i think you have an anti alcohol doc... why not just go to a diff doc for your physical and if they ask about ur drinking say once or twice a month.... lol i got my class A physical here in california and i dont believe they even asked me if i drank of not... i took a drug test and passed it and that was it...
Posted by Mathia on September 17, 2007, at 19:09:18
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by crenshaw387 on April 27, 2007, at 5:36:33
Yeah go to a new doctor for sure.
And before you leave her office ask how many times she uses the cell phone while driving and if its 1 or more, tell her as a responsible truck driver you would appreciate her not using it because cell phones cause more accidents than drunk drivers (believe it cause its true). She's the type of doctor that thinks shes god. Makes me sick, hope she gets hit by a truck. (just kidding)
Posted by Simcha on September 24, 2007, at 19:16:30
In reply to Re: 2-3 drinks a day and can't be a truck driver?, posted by Sebastian on April 17, 2007, at 21:53:14
> Thanks thats what I thought. This same doctor told me I was an alcoholic when I drank 3 drinks a week. I was like WHAT? She also only belives in brand medication. And told me I had diabeties with a fasting blood glucose of 100. One point too high for her. I have seriously considered a new doctor, I just don't want to go throught the hastle.
In my humble opinion, get a new doctor. I had a bad struggle with a gp I should have replaced years ago. He had me convinced I have asthma. I don't have asthma, I've been tested several times and always came back negative.
Forgive this insult to her, but she sounds like a quack. I'm so glad I've found other medical assistance where I get listened to and my real conditions are addressed.
Yes, it's a hassle to get a new doc. Unfortunately I'm about to go through it yet again because my beloved gp is retiring next month. I've only had him for 10 months. But he was the one who discovered my Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia and now so many physical complaints have just gone away now that I'm having that treated. He has names for me. I just hope I like the new docs...
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