Question
Hello Nurse Red,
I have had a degree of insomnia as far back as I can remember. For years I drove a taxi and so was able to work around this to a degree by picking and choosing my working hours to accommodate as much as possible this condition. Having had enough of the taxi biz though, I now drive a straight truck approx. 400 miles R/T daily. Along the way I (of course) stop here and there and do this and that, resulting in days which are frequently 12 - 15 hours long (with this outfit 16 1/2 hours is not unknown). In addition to the frequently long shifts, they are structured sporadically so as to provide varying off-time, e.g.: go to bed 6:00pm one night, midnight the next etc. Part of the reason for this is that due to high turnover (wonder why?) other drivers duties have been pushed onto my route while they train and recruit to fill vacancies. After running my current schedule for awhile and finding it next to impossible to get more than two or three hours sleep several days a week, sometimes NO sleep at all and feeling myself getting more and more dangerous behind the wheel due to exhaustion, I went to my Doc and explained the situation. He prescribed Ambien, 10mg as needed. I have been taking this medication for about a week or so now, and it has provided sleep within the hour (important when I've only got 8-9 hours to sleep and then get back on the road) and, on the days that I have taken it I have awoken after 6-7 hours reasonably continuous sleep with no "hangover" effect.
My question is this...My employer had assured me that the route situation would be straightened out by Jan. 01, which came and went without event. I have since given notice that as of Feb 03, they can find somebody else to abuse (perhaps an android). I know that that means I'm due for another drug test before I hire on somewhere else and I'm worried about the Ambien showing up and disqualifying me. Is that a valid worry? Along similiar lines, a few months ago I started taking one of those "Metabo-Something" products to lose weight, it contains Ma Houng(sp?), could that cause a false positive? I have lost 20 lbs. with this stuff (249-229) but will give it up if it could be a problem. Also, I know it could be having an effect on my insomnia, but I only take it once a day, usually 16 hours or so before I am allowed to try and sleep again and I haven't noticed a real difference in my sleeping whether I take it or not.
Your input is greatly appreciated,
9
Answer
Driver9,
I can't answer your question about Ma Huang, but I can about the ambien because I also took it about 2 years ago.
It will not disqualify you on any drug test, and as long as you have a doctors order for it there should be no problem.
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~ Mary ~
Answer
I ran a search on Ambien and found that it should not show up on a drug screen. However,I would suggest that you have the prescribing physician write a statement indicating that he knows what you do for a living and that this medication will not interfere with your ability to safewly operate a comercial motor vehicle. Also be aware that this medication is intended for short term use ONLY. Not recommended for more than a month.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Thank you both for your replies, I should be able to stop taking the Ambien after the 3rd of Feb., then I plan to take about a week to sort my options as to employment. Hopefully I'll choose carefully enough that it won't be as much as a problem (sleeping) with the new outfit.
Thanks again,
9