Question:
I dont know if I should ask this here on in the medical forum. Here it is anyway.
Ive been applying for driving jobs. Its sort of a career change for me so this is all new ground. I had been working for the same place (a manufacturing company) for 12 years and recently find myself unemployed because my company downsized and my position as a shuttle/jockey driver went away. Ive had my CDL A for just over two years. I passed my first physical, over two years ago, fine. This last one I had a couple months ago, I didnt do as well. My BP was high enough that I only got a 3 month card. Its generally not that high but because of circumstances that I wont go into now, unless asked, it was high.
Anywho, heres my question. Perspective employers are asking for copies of my last long form. Is the fact that I only have a three month card and show high BP going to be an issue? Should I go ahead and update my physical on my own and get rid of this stupid 3 month card before applying anywhere else? Should I just tell them that my physical is expired, which it will be in a few weeks. anyway. Should I just tell them what the real deal is or is this something Im worrying about for no reason

Answer:
Most larger companies will make you take a physical by one of their doctors during orientation.
But, the companies you are looking at want a copy of your physical form. I wouldn't lie to any company. Just tell them you don't have one but can get it. If your BP is good now and they want a copy of the form I would go get another physical at my exspence and send them a copy of it.

Answer:

Im applying to smaller regional companies. My 3 month card expires in about 3 weeks. I agree, lieing isnt the answer. I just didnt know if I should go to the expense myself, of clearing this up. I figured any company that hires me will be sending me for a physical, just because Im so close anyway.
My BP is fine now unmedicated (a little high but always within range to pass my physical), I feel I got the shaft on my last physical. I just want to avoid any red flags. Ive already got a moving violation from two and a half years ago, pre CDL, thats haunting me and with limited experience, Im afraid the BP issue will really limit me.

Answer:
Take 4 bayer Aspirins drink alot of water and don't drink coffee.
Seriously I would just tell them you lost your form. You won't be the first one to do that. They'll probably schedule you for a physical if they want to hire you.

Answer:

Now that you got flagged with a 3 month limit, the legal thing to do would be to do the follow-up test. If your blood pressure is now under control, this will legally resolve the issue.
A new employer will usually do a new physical, and they do not usually check your previous status that I am aware of.
This thread might help with the blood pressure issue:
http://roundtable.truck.net/viiewt.php?t=60215

Answer:
I posted to that thread right above you.
My BP situation remains the same as it was last month, steady 120s / 80s, mainly due to a much improved diet and a little exercise.
But now Ive got that lousy 3 month card to deal with. I shouldve gotten it taken care of as soon as I got the BP under control. Of course, I didnt realize I would be unemployed and looking for another job then.
The three month card wouldnt bother me so much if I thought I deserved it.
Those of you that cant stand to hear a man cry, turn the channel now
For those that may find themselves in the same situation, this may give you something to think about. Heres the deal with that physical. I'll keep it short as possible.
My employer set up the appointment, noon on my day off when my wife and I had plans.
I show 10 minutes before noon with wife waiting in car, we decided to keep our plans after the physical.
I wait for 30 minutes, go to the desk and tell them Im in a hurry, they ask me how Im paying, I tell them my company is paying. They have no paperwork for that. Several calls to my boss with him telling me to just go ahead and pay and me telling him "no way will I pay". I threaten to walk out, Boss finally says the company will pay. Nurse says my company still owes them $500 from years ago, they want me to sign something saying if my company doesnt pay, I will. I say "no way". Im pretty fired up by this point and my wife has been waiting for over an hour and the physical hasnt even started. I go back to pee in a bottle. 40 minutes later the Doc finally sees me and tells me I seem nervious so I explain what has been going on and that Ive had it with sitting in his waiting room and ive had it with my boss (we already had a history). I tell him to just get this damn thing over with so I can go. He sits me down and takes my BP through my sweater. It reads 170?/110. BANG - Three month card.
Moral of the story, I shouldve walked as soon as the billing got screwed up and came back on a better day.
Then again, it was a good mid life (41) warning that it was time for a couple lifestyle changes so I improved my habits and quit that company when they did a downsize..

Answer:

I actually called the doctor a couple weeks ago to see if all I needed to do to extend my card was come back in and have him check my BP. He told me I had to retake the whole physical. Doesnt really make since to me but thats what he says.

Answer:
High Blood pressure is a physical condition which will rise from catalytic episodes such as, problems at a receivers, traffic conditions, problems with your boss, family issues etc. The age old diet, exercise and possibly medication advice truly can do the trick.
It is a fact you had a catalytic episode in the doctors office. This could happen anywhere at anytime and does not cause your high blood pressure to lower. It IS an issue to the carrier who must follow regulations.
You expressed your interest to continue your career in this industry and are governed by those same regulations which can be an obstacle to your wishes. It would be in your best interest to go ahead and have another CDL physical done, even at your own cost. It can have one of two possible outcomes: 1) You find out you continue to have high blood pressure (with or without a catalyst), you have been given a heads up which could likely save your life or 2) You find out your blood pressure reading is back within normal range and are now able to go to a carrier and present their requested long form physical.
Best of luck and good health to you.

Answer:
There are some cheap and easy things you can do to keep your blood pressure down. Just take Calcium , selenium, and garlic. Be carefull though. Too much calcium over long periods can cause kidney stones. Too much selenium is a poison. And you will lose friends if you use too much garlic. however if you use just a little sense you will have no problem. Get lots of rest and exercise. Also take your test early in the morning. I am also fond panax ginseng.

Answer:
To RayH, I would suggest that you watch your sodium intake. Just about everything has sodium but some have less than others. If you drink a lot of Gatorade, try switching to Powerade for example. Try Doritos Cool Ranch instead of the others. They make low sodium potato chips and peanut butter.
Read the labels on the food that you consume. In general stay away from cheese and bacon.
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Go to Walmart and buy some potassium tablets cost about $5 for a bottle of 90 tablets. Take just one before you go to sleep. Potassium helps to counter act the sodium in your system. Finally, watch your weight.
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If they shot every driver who had high blood pressure, a lot of companies would go out of business.

Answer:

Wow, I see, eating a different kind of Doritos, and low-salt potato chips is the answer
Come on now, anyone serious about their health would cut out the junk food, not switch to low-salt junk food
Potassium tablets are regulated by the FDA, and without a prescription can contain a maximun of 99 mg per tablet. This is only a tiny fraction of what an average person needs per day.
Because of this, the best way to increase your potassium intake without a prescription is to use a salt substitute containing potassium chloride and put it on a lot of your food.

Answer:
Thanks guys but the issue now is getting rid of the 3 month card. My BP is under control. I adjusted my diet and started a little exercise and now most of the time Im under or right at 120/80.
Its funny, actually its sad, but the doctor that tagged me with the 3 month card started suggesting medication as soon as he got my high BP numbers. He knew I was unusually stressed, he had access to my last physical long form where my BP was much lower, he knew very little of my history or health, and he immediately suggested that I get on a drug regiment . That tells me there are alot of people out there all medicated up and they dont need to be. Its no wonder I dont like doctors, but the sad truth is its the publics fault for letting it happen, Im as much to blame as anyone. I need to adopt the philosophy that the doctor works for me and I make the calls. He is nothing more than a high payed contractor.

Answer:
That could be why most people suggest getting a second opinion.
Your 3 month card is probably close to being done with. Have you gone for another physical now that every thing is ok? I would just to get it over with.

Answer:

I havent yet but Im planning to. I just switched over to my wifes med plan (since I quit my job) so I need to find a doctor in her PPO and find out if they will pay for most of the physical instead of me paying 100%.