Lessons learned

jon f mn · Jun 13, 2016

Needed a DOT physical and stopped in to get one. As we were going over things the doc asked how I was doing. My mistake was mentioning my recent health issues. I've been asking if I was ok to drive all along and have been assured that there was nothing to keep me from my job, so I thought nothing of mentioning it. HUGE MISTAKE! What I have is very rare, 1 in a million get it, so the doc hadn't heard of it before. I'm explaining it to him and he just ain't gettin it. Took all day from 8 this morning til now for my doc to explain to the DOT doc that I'm ok to drive. I don't know how many faxes they exchanged, but I think the machine was smokin for a while. Guess I learned to keep my big mouth shut from now on and just give yes or no answers to everything.

Bob Bancroft · Jun 13, 2016

I'm glad you didn't snag yourself on that one. I failed a FAA physical several years ago, with a temporary condition. But once you fail, you're on their radar.

Deere Scotty · Jun 13, 2016

Yip... If it involves Government. "LOOSE LIPS; SINK SHIPS" can be applied in modern terms of ones own self!!! I wont tell a doctor anything other than what they absolutely need to know. Maybe when I hit 80 it will be different; but at 45 I am still living, & I am not going to be treated like I am going to die next week by the government, or employer.

Deere Scotty · Jun 13, 2016

They are the last people I would tell. I wouldn't tell them I had allergies!

notjustair · Jun 13, 2016

I made the same mistake- "Why are you here in the emergency room needing stitches on your face?" "Well, I was sleep walking, and..."

That was six months of tests and money I won't ever get back. And now I have a new "specialist." In Latin I think that means two more prescriptions.

wjytexas · Jun 13, 2016

I('m glad they got it straight and in ONLY one day

schrade · Jun 13, 2016

Went for school bus and DOT physical last of May, all done everything signed, nurse practioner rechecks pulse, says don't seem right, did EKG, found a slightly odd beat. Orders stress test. I take off work go through a bunch of questions and odd test get all hooked up for treadmill and all the sudden the nurse says this wont show us anything we don't already know, you a different type of stress test. Another day off, another trip to test center. Only to find out its regular for me but I am out of shape. 58 years old with bad knees and back no wander I am out of shape and overweight. Just hope insurance pays for it.

Old Scovy · Jun 13, 2016

After I retired I went to buy health insurance and they ask if I smoked. I said no, I also didn't tell them that I chew a carton of Red Man Golden Blend a week. No use giving them something to chew on. LOL Don't tell them anything, that way you don't have to lie to them.

Two Dogs · Jun 13, 2016

Don't neeeeeevvvvvveeeeerrrrr admit to feeling depressed either if the doc asks. It's hard to unsay things. TDF

rd 2N in mo · Jun 13, 2016

Scovy, don't take a blood test as nicotine shows up on it.

Old Scovy · Jun 13, 2016

I didn't know that, ...Thanks ..Jack

farmerwithmutt · Jun 13, 2016

I've made the mistake before and I still do it last time when I was down to one arm and wouldn't you know I did it again down to one arm. Nurse asked me how things were going I said ok it was kinda interesting run the weed eater. She looked me right in the eye and said IT doesn't need to be done. There concerned about my blood pressure it was a little high when I got there and after our conversation it was higher yet .

guido · Jun 13, 2016

Hello jon f mn,

I thought you new better, now you do. If you ask an attorney if he knows what time it is, he or she will undoubtedly say"YES"........

Guido.

JD Seller · Jun 13, 2016

You have to remember when your getting your DOT physical the Doctor is working for the DOT even though you are paying him/her. I just got mine done last week. My local Doctor explained it several years ago to me. If you tell him about some thing that effects or can effect your driving they are required by law to act on what you say. If you talk to him/her the next day or even the day before when you there on your OWN visit it is a whole different set of rules.

So when I get my DOT physical I just answer the questions on the form. I DO NOT volunteer anything else.

DoubleR · Jun 13, 2016

I have learned from other people mistakes. Don't say or mention any more than absolutely necessary. Times have changed and they act like they are trying to do anything they can to keep you from driving. I have to renew mine next week. I feel good and have no health issues at this time so we will see what they try to come up with.

2underage · Jun 13, 2016

Eighty! I am nearly 83 and I passed my DOT physical with no problems. Likewise, I do not volunteer any problems that I am experiencing at the exam time. I doubt that I could hide much when the Doctor has me go for blood tests and an annual EKG. They really give you a close look when you pass your eighth year but that is OK as I would not want to cause an accident because my driving was poor.

RBoots · Jun 13, 2016

Even if you can't speak English enough to communicate clearly, as long as you're healthy... I believe that the lack of communication or interpretation of words or manners is a safety hazard sometimes. When I loaded heavy equipment out in sea cans, many times the drivers were foreigners that couldn't speak a lick of English. They had 40 acres to turn around, a dock that was 50' wide, had 3 sets of straightlines painted to the dock for aligning. The middle eastern guys were the worst, couldn't get the trailer to the dock even, it would be touching one side and a foot apart on the other and they wouldn't even try to communicate with you when you tried to get them to straighten it out. The Russians, Ukrainians and Greek guys would at least be very helpful and even though they couldn't really understand what you were saying, they would try to learn and if needed, draw pictures so that we could be on the same page, very friendly guys even though we had very different ways of communication.

Rollie NE PA · Jun 13, 2016

I had just the opposite experiance last year. I take meds for cholesterol and blood pressure. I was warned by others that I could only get a one year card. I didn't want to lie and say I was not taking any medication. I did some research and found that if you can produce documentation that your blood pressure has been controlled then you may qualify for a two year card.
I took documentation from my family doctor to the doctor who gave me the physical and I received a two year card.
My family doctor no longer does the DOT physical so I went to a chiropractor.

RodinNS · Jun 13, 2016

You're healthy as a horse, you don't drink, you don't do drugs, you aren't depressed and you've never passed out. Those are the things you ALWAYS remember when talking to those narcs.

Rod

bingo71 · Jun 13, 2016

was talking with a young agent the other day about buying life insurance, he asked me if I used tobacco in any way, told him no, then he asked if I had ever used tobacco at all? Told him I smoked cigs for 40 years then chewed tobacco for 4 years, had been tobacco free for free for 12 years. He said he didn't think he could write me a policy. Told him to stick it in his ear (not really in his ear) but you get the picture.

JMS/.MN · Jun 13, 2016

Sort of like answering questions by NRCS when you need a ditch cleaned out, or want to put a bit of tile in.....answer directly, with no elaboration, don"t BS or offer any comments. Let him go into the other office, fill out his quarter-inch thick sheaf of papers...

JD Seller · Jun 14, 2016

JMS/.MN: I get real forgetful and stupid when working with these type of people/government. Just answer indirectly and provide as few details as you can.

JD Seller · Jun 14, 2016

If you have a recorded blood pressure reading of more than 90 or over 150 you CAN not get a two year DOT medical card anymore. It makes zero difference if your blood pressure is under control or not currently. This was change 18 months ago. So I am stuck with an annual physical now.

W_B · Jun 14, 2016

(quoted from post at 04:24:34 06/14/16) was talking with a young agent the other day about buying life insurance, he asked me if I used tobacco in any way, told him no, then he asked if I had ever used tobacco at all? Told him I smoked cigs for 40 years then chewed tobacco for 4 years, had been tobacco free for free for 12 years. He said he didn't think he could write me a policy. Told him to stick it in his ear (not really in his ear) but you get the picture.

Was there really a need to be nasty about it? Underwriting standards differ among companies, some won't write any tobacco use, others will. You know it does cause permanent damage in some folks.

Rollie NE PA · Jun 14, 2016

I have no Idea what my blood pressure is without the meds, but with the meds it is 125/80. My buddy who went for his physical 2 months before me only received a one year card. He was honest with the doctor and told him he was on blood pressure pills and the dr would only give him a one year card even though his blood pressure was fine. He asked the dr what if he had said he was not on blood pressure pills and the dr said, oh well.

I think a lot has to do with the doctor giving the physical. My doctor who knows me best always gave me a two year card. He no longer does the DOT physical because of all the nonsense involved.

Your mileage may vary.

Dean Olson · Jun 14, 2016

Had a similar hard lesson, went to a random DOT doc next to a truck stop. I now use a local DOT Dr. referred by my primary care physician. Never a problem for years now.

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