Question
Just had two wisdom teeth and a molar pulled. #$%*! The molar had to go because the wisdom tooth tore a hole in it and it got infected. I was on antibiotics for a week, and had a prescription for T3 which I didn't use while I was driving for obvious reasons. Now I am sitting here firing down vicodin every four hours and a steroid called medrol.
I put myself out of service for 72 hours, but safety wasn't real clear about when I can start driving again. They said that as long as I had a prescription and was following my doctors orders I was good to go. The doctor said 4 hours after the last dose, but then again he said I could forgo the vicodin all together and just keep using the Tylenol 3, ibuprofen, or even go hardcore and tough it out with no pain meds at all.
I don't know if the doc has any knowledge of the DOT regulations, or if our safety director gave me sound advice. The way he made it sound, I could be popping vics while tooling down the highway as long as I had a prescription. I know that can't be right... I'm confused. I don't work weekends anyways, but should I plan on working Monday? I'm not sure how long this pain is going to last, but hopefully I can give up the vicodin in the next few days. Perhaps I should try switching over to the Tylenol 3 tomorrow? Anyone have any advice?\
Answer
You need to ask yourself if you can operate a CMV safely on public roadways and not be a hazzard to yourself or the motoring public. If your Illness due to medication would affect your safe operation of a CMV, then you are required to put yourself out of service, according to the FMCSR's
So does this medication make you drowsie, impair your decision making process or impair your reaction time while driving. If so, then you need to wait till your off your meds, or start taking an over the counter medication to releave your symtoms and it will not impair your ability to drive.
I am supprised your safety dept would tell you to drive on medications that would affect your driving skills and make you unsafe to operate a CMV. You can check with your dentist about the meds and vechile operation. He can give you a doctors excuse not to drive under the infulence of this medication and this will allow you to invoke the FMCSR's Illness and Fatigue regulation with your employer.
Catch you on the flip!
Answer
the pain meds that you stated are classified as narcotics,i believe both are class III controlled substances and you should not attempt to drive while taking them.
both pain meds that you ar taking will affect your judgement and make you drowsy,take some advice,stay home,let your mouth heal,the other medicine teh dr gave you.medrol, will help take the swelling down,once the swelling goes down,the pain will deminish (sp)
Answer
Well that isn't exactly what he said. He quoted the same part of the FMCSR that lonewolf did, and told me that as long as the doctor said it was okay, it was okay.
I went ahead back to work on Monday anyways, but I left the narcotic meds at home. I just ate 4-5 ibuprofens every four hours, and toughed it out. Stitches come out tomorrow, so I should be good to go now.
What I am wondering is how long those narcotics are still in my system. It was just over 70 hours between my last dose, and the time I called dispatch and put myself back in service. I had the prescription tags, and doctor contact info with me had I been called for a random test. I am wondering how long I need to carry them though.
Answer
Some Medication can stay in your bloodstream and possibly show up on a test for up to 72 hours. That's 3 days after depending on your body's metabolism, Some accidents require testing, it would suck to test positive after a accident for surely.can't be any worse than the Weasel there now.
So we can overthrow the world
Answer
4 future reference:
Never 'take' the verbal okay from the prescriber of a narcotic!
Get him to put that in writing To include the date he releases the 'okay' your name and the activity that is specific to your line of work....namely driving a commercial vehicle.........and then sign his name and contact information......
Get copies for reference (certified might be good but then you aren't really planning on having to have an accident defense are you).....Keep original with you on truck......
Most pharmacies tag these meds with cautions not to use alcohol, nor drive or
operate machinery, and may cause drowsyness..... Such a label is a warning.
Chances are, once your doctor realizes your request is to put his name on the line stating that the med will not effect your driving, is, in essence, putting him in a defendant's box along with you if something should happen.....and he will change his mind and ask you how many days will you need off.......And check back with you.. Or wait until your next appointment for stiches to come out.
BTW Hope your doing okay......Post op care after dental surgery is nothing to make light of ...............the most serious infections in the body can enter through an infection or open wound in the mouth, and the mouth is always a natural incubator for bacteria growth..
If he ordered salt water rinses....this will reduce the swelling and also reduce the bacteria..... After suture removal....be carefull when brushing that location....it may not be completely closed yet...and you don't wont to disturb the clot..as the body needs it to close over and protect the bone and build up tissue .Rejoice in the LORD
John Adams, 1799 "the general principles, on which the fathers achieved independence, were the general principals of Christianity."
Answer
Well, I guess I didn't take it quite seriously enough. My wisdom teeth took out one of my molars, which is what brought this all on. I jerked around with getting it taken care of for two months and an infection grew and spread. I was on anti-biotics before the surgery, and I just finished them up a few days ago.
It got into my blood and things went haywire. I got infections in places I don't even want to talk about now. I have to get some more blood work done Monday morning. I guess if it is too bad, I can't drive because I will be at risk for a stroke?!?!?!?!
Anyways, all this doctor visiting stuff has revealed that I may have a colon polyp. So I am literally paying through my azz over this danged tooth.
Answer
Hope you continue to improve.
I can understand your concern over the polyp thingy....Good that you're getting the medical attention.....
I hadn't seen a doctor for 2 years but was in need of routine physical this spring...(DOT every 2 yrs) Sure glad I did as just 'routine' exam revealed something easily treated...that could have been life threatening if neglected........Made me wake up!...
Also have almost quit smoking..... Still have 1 every now and then but don't keep them around so it is not convenient ...(Craving hasn't left. even when I've 'been good' for several weeks )
Take care now ya hear!Rejoice in the LORD
John Adams, 1799 "the general principles, on which the fathers achieved independence, were the general principals of Christianity."
Answer
I started having severe headaches.After going to my doctor and a specialists they said it appears to be Migraine headaches.They want to put me on TOPAMAX once a day to control them.Is this a safe drug to use and still drive? I drive locally and am home everyday.Any advice will be a big help.Don't want to have to stop driving.