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At Chiro Stop we do
DOT Physical Exams and
DOT Drug Alcohol Testing.
Quick, accurate, and hassle free.
No appointment necessary. Walk-ins are welcome, or
call 801-972-2332 to guarantee a time that works for you.
Parking for 135 trucks at Sapp Bros. I 80 Truck Stop, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
DOT Doctor
Your DOT doctor at Sapp Bros. truck stop is Dr. Kenn Seals. Most drivers just call him “Doc”.
He’s been here at Sapp Bros. truck stop, in Salt Lake City, working with commercial drivers for more than seven years so he understands the importance of you passing your DOT physical exam for your CDL.
Our goal at Chiro Stop is twofold: To support you in protecting your livelihood, and to help you with improved lifestyle choices for your health and for your life.
We do our best to help you prepare for your DOT physical exam and make your CDL medical certification as hassle free as possible.
DOT Physical Exam: Things to Plan in Advance:
If you have a medical condition you’re going to need some paperwork:
- Diabetic Condition – Bring a list of medications and name of prescribing doctor.
- High Blood Pressure - Bring a list of medications and name of prescribing doctor.
- Heart Condition – If you’ve had a heart attack or cardiovascular disease, you’ll need to bring a copy of your last stress test.
- Sleep Apnea – Bring a copy of your latest sleep test results, if you have one.
- Medications – List all the prescription medicines you take, including strength and dosage. If you regularly take over-the counter medications, such as antacids or allergy pills, list them, too.
- Contact information – Have names and phone numbers of your doctors in case you need to call and have them fax missing information.
DOT Physical Exam: Things To Do to Manage Your Blood Pressure:
- Make sure you don’t run out of your prescribed blood-pressure medication.
- Remember to take your medication on schedule. If you forget, most doctors recommend taking your medication as soon as possible.
- If you’re significantly late taking your medication, tell the doctor conducting the DOT physical you forgot to take your regular medication. If your blood pressure is too high, ask to have it rechecked later that day – or even the following day.
- Cutting back on caffeine and nicotine can help improve your blood pressure.
- Reducing the amount of salty foods you eat and avoiding adding salt to your food can also help to lower your blood pressure.
- The week before your DOT physical exam, cut back on coffee, sodas, energy drinks, potato chops, etc, and don’t add salt to your food. Also reduce your use of nicotine as much as possible. Doing this can help lower your blood pressure reading.
The Day of the DOT Physical Exam:
- Remember to bring the medical records you’ve prepared in advance, including your list of medications.
- Remember to bring eye glasses (it’s surprising how many people forget this).
- Drink water. Come with a need to pee.
Getting Past ‘White Coat’ Syndrome:
- First off, we understand that this is a very real concern for some drivers.
- Secondly, we work with drivers all day long. We understand that passing your DOT physical exam is important to your continued career and your livelihood, and we’re here to do everything we can to help you.
- Lastly, we work in a truck stop and you won’t find a white coat in our facility.
Frequently Asked Questions:
CDL and Health Related Articles:
High Blood Pressure: Commercial Driver Risk?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Commercial Driver Risk?
Questions or Comments:
If you have a question about the DOT physical requirements, please leave it in the space below. Doctor Kenn will answer it as soon as possible. Visit this web page again soon to see our response. Your comments are also welcome.
Trucker Doc
/ March 26, 2012@Jeff B
In and of itself, the lobe ectomy should not be an issue.
But what was a the reasoning behind the surgery? Your examiner will have other questions regarding the surgery and what its long term effects are, as well as, how it effects your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
He is looking to keep you and the public safe.
Thanks for the questions. Trucker Doc
jeff bornemann
/ March 22, 2012i had lung surgery in 2006 and had a lobeectomy done will this fail me on a dot physical?
Trucker Doc
/ March 7, 2012@Elvin
If you are a diabetic and your blood sugar is not under control you will not pass the DOT examination and will not be able to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
If you are a diabetic and you have your blood sugar under control you will be able to pass the examination, but may be limited to the length of time for your medical card. This will have to be determined by the examination doctor.
Thanks for the question. Trucker Doc
Trucker Doc
/ March 7, 2012@Christopher
COPD will cause a decrease in oxygen up-take during normal breathing and could cause a situation which could interfere with your ability to maintain control of a commercial motor vehicle. Your DOT examiner will be better qualified to answer this question once they are doing the exam. In and of itself COPD is not an automatic disqualifier.
Thanks for the question. Trucker Doc
Elvin
/ March 6, 2012I’m a diabetic with high blood sugar. are you passed your test so that I would be able to continue to drive
christopher spicer
/ March 5, 2012i was recently told i have copd can i still operate a commerical vehicle?
Trucker Doc
/ February 24, 2012@Bob
The medications you are taking will trip your drug test positive, but then the medical review officer will touch base with you about those medications. When he does you will need to provide a copy of the prescription from your regular doc. Then based on the MRO review, he could make a positive test negative due to proper usage and dosage.
Thanks for the question. Trucker Doc
Trucker Doc
/ February 24, 2012@Bob
They will both test positive for drug usage.
The medical review officer can talk to you about the medications and dosages taken. He can then re-test the split sample and determine the differences of the two.
Just make sure you have a valid prescription for the medications when he calls, because he will, and be ready to send him a copy of those scrips.
Thanks for the question. Trucker Doc.
Bob
/ February 24, 2012Would hydrcodone and methadone show up as the same thing on a drug test
Bob
/ February 24, 2012I take methadone on an as needed basis for an old back injury. It is prescribed by my doctor will this keep me from passing my drug test.
Thanks, Bob
Trucker Doc
/ February 14, 2012@Susan
Well it appears the gestational diabetes is brought about with the pregnancy and is not a disfunction of the insulin producing organs of the body. And the glyburide at 5 mg is not an issue as far as the treatment and any bearing on the DOT examination.
I would only question being pregnant and driving for 11 hours a day with no exercise, which is highly recommended for the treatment of the gestation diabetes and keeps you in good physical condition during your pregnancy. Other than that, there is nothing that would throw a red flag in the DOT examination.
Thanks for the question. Trucker Doc
Susan
/ February 13, 2012I have a question for ya. I’ve been reading the questions and responses on being a diabetic type 1 & 2 and the high blood pressure among other health concerns. My question is what about having gestational diabetes and being 13 weeks pregnant? Will being pregnant and having gestational diabetes hinder from passing the physical? The medications being taken are prenatal pills and glyburide 5mg twice a day. I’d be interested in your opinion on this topic. Thanks for your time. Susan
Trucker Doc
/ January 21, 2012@Tim
Blood sugar levels will be found positive at 140 and above, indicating diabetes.
You should have your blood sugar under control before you go in for your examination.
As a type 2 diabetic your physical will be held to one year at a time, so it can be monitored by the DOT examining doctor. The weight loss is a good thing, just try to increase your physical levels and you should be able to get it well under control.
Thanks for the questions. Trucker Doc.
Tim
/ January 19, 2012Is there a certain level my blood sugar needs to be below to pass the physical. Right now my BSL is at 210 I’ve lost 30 lbs of weight with in the 1yr. so what more is needed