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3mnkids1
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« on: February 12, 2009, 08:14:13 AM » |
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wanted to type something else as the subject that truly conveys my feelings at the moment but I cant.  My husband drives a truck for a living and has been battling high blood pressure for several months now. He has been on medication. The doctor who does the DOT physicals has given him 2 extensions because every time he went to get the physical his BP was still to high. He has been going to his doctor once every couple of weeks having it checked and it has been in the normal range EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!!!!!!! but today when he goes back to for the DOT certification.. yep, too high! His doctor even gave him something for his nerves in case thats why it was only high at this doctors.. so needless to say the DOT doc will not give my husband his certification and his certification ends tomorrow.. soooo, he cant drive, if he cant drive he doesnt have a freaking job!.. I dont know whether to scream or cry at this moment. Im not a crier usually but this is just too much ya know. I think his machine is messed up. why is it only there that its high? My husband even has a thing to check his BP at home and its always in line with what it is a his doctors so whats the deal?.. He cant drive tomorrow so He is going to have to find another doc who does DOT physicals and go there and hope that its low enough.. with the stress of so much riding on this though im worried it will be through the roof!.. Im freaking out here. My husband drives. Thats all he does. What the hell are we going to do? |
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cinphi
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« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2009, 08:35:10 AM » |
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I'm really sorry you guys are going through this.  My sister has that white coat syndrone thing also but her medication has helped. She also has started to exercise to bring her BP down. Maybe they need to adjust his meds. Be as positive as you can about this and I'll say a prayer that he can get back to work. |
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tharedhead
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« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2009, 08:55:40 AM » |
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http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/questions-about-high-blood-pressure-white-coat-syndromeWhite-coat syndrome" refers to the situation in which the blood pressure measured in a physician's office is consistently higher than when the patient measures it at home or at work.
Studies suggest that 10%-20% of patients may experience white-coat syndrome. The cause of the syndrome is unclear but may be a conditioning phenomenon -- the anxiety of early visits to the physician's office is "learned" and subconsciously repeated during subsequent visits. Studies suggest that for patients with white coat hypertension, the heart disease risk is between that of patients with true hypertension and patients with normal blood pressure. That is, cardiovascular risk is increased, but is not as high as someone with sustained hypertension
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ping1970
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« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2009, 11:00:54 AM » |
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You know I love ya! Praying for you all and hoping that things will go well tomorrow! If not, Thelma and Louise might not have nothing on you and me  |
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tharedhead
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« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2009, 11:57:16 AM » |
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You know I love ya! Praying for you all and hoping that things will go well tomorrow! If not, Thelma and Louise might not have nothing on you and me You're going to drive off a cliff?  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3958/is_199905/ai_n8852344Blood Pressure. The regulatory guidelines regarding certification of individuals with elevated blood pressure are quite specific. An algorithm is provided by the FHWA to assist in decision making (see Figure 2). Practitioners must remember that drivers initially not qualified or temporarily qualified due to elevated blood pressures must have their blood pressure control confirmed in the 3-month period following qualification.
Additionally, drivers not qualified due to initial blood pressures greater than 180 systolic or greater than 104 diastolic can be subsequently qualified for only a 6-month period. Drivers with initial blood pressures between 161 to 180 systolic or 90 to 104 diastolic must be certified annually thereafter, according to 49 CFR sec 391.41(b)(6). The stipulations regarding 3-month evaluation of blood pressure and annual certification are often missed as they do not appear on the FHWA algorithm
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/medical.htmStage 1 hypertension corresponds to a systolic BP of 140-159 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP of 90-99 mmHg. The driver with a BP in this range is at low risk for hypertension-related acute incapacitation and may be medically certified to drive for a one-year period. Certification examinations should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90. If less than 160/100, certification may be extended one time for three months.
A blood pressure of 160-179 systolic and/or 100-109 diastolic is considered Stage 2 hypertension, and the driver is not necessarily unqualified during evaluation and institution of treatment. The driver is given a one time certification of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90. A blood pressure in this range is an absolute indication for antihypertensive drug therapy. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, he or she may be certified for one year from the date of the initial exam. The driver is certified annually thereafter.
A blood pressure at or greater than 180 (systolic) and 110 (diastolic) is considered Stage 3, high risk for an acute BP-related event. The driver may not be qualified, even temporarily, until reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is equal to or less than 140/90.
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ping1970
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« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2009, 02:26:13 PM » |
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You know I love ya! Praying for you all and hoping that things will go well tomorrow! If not, Thelma and Louise might not have nothing on you and me You're going to drive off a cliff? It just depends on what happens on the trip to wherever we are going  It might be better than coming home |
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pmeek
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« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2009, 04:43:36 PM » |
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 That is not good news at all. So sorry, that has to be causing alot of stress to both of you. Getting his blood pressure into a normal range is certainly important for his health. There are others things along with medication that can help. Studies show calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, potassium and fish oil all help to lower blood pressure. Recent studies have shown that eating bananas provides enough potassium to help lower blood pressure. If your husband smokes, tell him not to smoke for at least an hour before going in to have the test, avoid coffee and any caffeine also. Smoking significantly raises your blood pressure. If you look on the directions for taking your blood pressure at home it also mentions this. I proved this at home with a friend. He wasn't looking to good and had just smoked a cigarette. I took his blood pressure and it was something like 190/110. I told him to not smoke for an hour and I would take it again. It had gone down to 141/99. Hope this helps.
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lisat821
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« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2009, 10:34:55 PM » |
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I wish I had some advice for you, but I would just say to definitely get that second opinion. Some insurance companies, too, can send doctors to your house for BP exams (and lots of other things, too) so maybe you can get a house call somehow? That way, at least you'll be at home. Or, go to the pharmacy and do it there--you can print it out, and maybe that will be enough proof?
I hope it works out for you.
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3mnkids1
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« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2009, 03:54:17 AM » |
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Thanks guys. Just got off the phone with my husband. The company sent him to a different doctor this morning and guess what? His BP was low enough for the certification..  not only that but the doctor gave him certification for 2 years. so he wont have to worry about it again for awhile. whew!!! I cant tell ya how nervous I was. He only lost pay for today so thats not to bad. So I wanted to say thanks to you guys. To the ones saying a little prayer... ya know who you are.. and for the advice and tips.. I think that other doctor's equipment is wrong or he just wants to bleed money out of the company by having employees keep coming back. |
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cinphi
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« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2009, 04:00:46 AM » |
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That's really great news. I'm so glad it all worked out for you guys.
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tharedhead
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« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2009, 04:22:23 AM » |
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 Yay! |
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pmeek
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« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2009, 04:59:33 AM » |
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 That is great news! So glad everything worked out.
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ping1970
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« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2009, 06:24:46 AM » |
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I'm glad for you...but I was really looking forward to the 'no holds barred' road trip Now hold your breath for us...two long weeks to suffer through until we find out our fate! |
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gosweepwin
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« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2009, 08:20:56 AM » |
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Congrats to your husband. What a relief!
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zwriter
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« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2009, 09:30:17 AM » |
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that's is awesome
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Wolfie
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« Reply #15 on: February 13, 2009, 05:24:46 PM » |
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Thanks guys. Just got off the phone with my husband. The company sent him to a different doctor this morning and guess what? His BP was low enough for the certification.. not only that but the doctor gave him certification for 2 years. so he wont have to worry about it again for awhile. whew!!! I cant tell ya how nervous I was. He only lost pay for today so thats not to bad. So I wanted to say thanks to you guys. To the ones saying a little prayer... ya know who you are.. and for the advice and tips.. I think that other doctor's equipment is wrong or he just wants to bleed money out of the company by having employees keep coming back. Trace, I'm sorry I just saw this. I am so glad it worked out. We went through the same thing last week. The DOT docs here love to fail everyone with high BP. I think their equipment is rigged. Everytime my husband went in it was $150 to walk in the door. I am so glad it worked out for you. I know my husband was in a panic too. Although we have my income, it sure is easier with two. |
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arrtup3
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« Reply #16 on: February 13, 2009, 05:36:12 PM » |
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Wow! I am so glad to return to the forum and find a happy ending to your earlier post.  Make sure you celebrate! (and stay healthy, not just for certification!) |
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