Question
I just got the good news yesterday that I was accepted to truck school and am starting the 27th.
Today, however, while carrying a 4' x 4' box down some stairs, I slipped on a shoe left on a tread and fell the rest of the way down. Fortunitely, x-rays showed no broken bones, just badly bruised and in alot of pain. Doctor prescribed Vioxx 50mg (rofecoxib), and Ultram 50mg (tramadol HCI). My question is when I arrive at the school next week and take my drug test, will these drugs disqualify me? I have been waiting a long time to get the chance to go to school and am almost able to reach my dream of trucking - is it now going to be taken away because of a stupid accident? I had no worries up til now as I don't do drugs - hardly even an aspirin. But now there is no way I can control the pain without the meds. I am hoping that by the time I leave, I won't need them. Please tell me if they will disqualify me because I would rather try to do without them than to pass up this opportunity to get my CDL.
Thanks for your help.
Common Sense - DON'T leave home without it!
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but FAT cells live forever.
Answer
And don't have my Medication books to look up Tramadol, so I'm not 100% sure what is in it. Vioxx is no problem. It's a new generation Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Here's something you should get used to doing as you embark on your new career. ANY time a physician writes you a prescription for medication. It is your job to ask if this will affect your ability to safely operate a CMV. If the Dr. says it won't, have him/her put that in writing.
Should you ever be put on a medication that will affect your job, it is YOUR responsibility to let your company know immediately so that you are removed from "safety sensitive" duties for the duration of being on that medication.
Drivers seem to think that they can take any medication the Dr. prescribes just because they have a prescription. Well, that will get you a negative test result after you jump through the hoops to prove all that BUT.......you may still find yourself in hot water because you didn't report it to the company and you were driving while on a medication that would disqualify you.
Good luck to you in your endeavors. And ummm.....Watch your step will ya?
Keeping you safe, healthy and on the road.
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Answer
I am not a nurse or anything like that, but I do know from working in a physicians office and taking Ultram myself, this is NOT a narcotic and is NOT addicting! Hope all goes well!
Answer
Thank you both. This relieves my mind a great deal. I still can't believe this happened. Before I started down the stairs, knowing the box would block my view, I looked first to see if there were any obsticles before picking up the box and starting down. But somehow I didn't see that sandal, and when I stepped on it, it felt just like a slide and down I went. At least today, the pain seems to be easing, so hopefully by the end of the weekend, I can quit the meds all together. I am very thankful for this forum and the people here who are kind enough to answer my question. Thanks again.
Common Sense - DON'T leave home without it!
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but FAT cells live forever.