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32 YEAR OLD MALE WITH ADHD AND A DRUG ABUSE HISTORY IS NOW
Sent to Health Experts January 31 08:42 AM

BEING PRESCRIBED INDERAL..ADDERAL..CYMBALTA 60MGS...VALIUM 30 MGS DAILY. IS IT SAFE TO HAVE HIM HANDLE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR TO DRIVE A CAR?

 

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Male, Age: 32, New York

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $20
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January 31 9:05 AM (23 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
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Hello and welcome to Just Answer;

His medication does seem to be prescribed for mental/mood disorders. As long as his physician feels that this current medication is treating this disorder, then the common side effects of these medications will not hinder his judgement regarding operating heavy equipment or with driving a car. However, if his medication is not helping with his disorder then it is unadvisable to have him operate heavy machinery or a vehicle because his judgement is impaired due to his disorder. If you are an employer I would advise a medical clearance note from his physician stating that his disorder is being succesfully treated.

 

 



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Ms. Alina -- Clinical Psychologist/EMT-P -- 98% Positive Feedback on 241 Health Accepts
Extensive practice within the hospital setting, EMT-Paramedic, Pursuing MA degree
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January 31 10:03 AM (57 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
THIS PERSON HAS BEEN SEEING A PSYCHOLOGIST FOR 23 YEARS..THE SAME ONE. HE IS ALSO SEEING A SHRINK FOR 1-2 YEARS.HE WILL ALSO SEE ANY PHYSICIAN IN ORDER TO SEEK OUT SYMPATHY OR TO GET ANOTER SCRIPT.HE STILL SUFFERS FROM BOUTS OF DEPRESSIO...ANXIETY...HE IS AGITATED AND RESTLESS...HAS PANIC ATTACKS...TROUBLE SLEEPING...IRRITABLE...ANGRY..TALKS ALOT WHEN HE ISNT SLEEPING.HE TAKES AT LEAST 2-3 DAYS A WEEK OFF FROM WORK AND DOESNT GET OUT OF BED THE ENTIRE DAY.THESE ARE THE SAME REASONS FOR HIM STARTING WITH THE SHRINK 1-2 YEARS AGO. HE IS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN WHO LOVES AND RESPONDS WELL TO THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.UNDER ALL OF THIS MEDICATION IS IT SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE A FIRE ENGINE...AMBULANCE OR WORK WITH HIS COMRADS WHO DEPEND UPON HIM TO BE EFFECTIVE.I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF FIREMAN..THE PUBLIC..HIS FAMILY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF THE MEDS HES ON.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on January 31 2008 at 11:08 AM
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January 31 12:38 PM (2 hours and 35 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
I AM WAITING FOR A REPLY. ARE YOU WORKING ON IT ?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 31 3:22 PM (2 hours and 43 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
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I do apologize for being offline, as it stated in my signature.

The medication that he is taking is used to help stabilize his mood and mental status. This medication is used to correct the chemical imbalance within the brain that is causing these symptoms. While these medications can be addictive, they are only prescribed on a need basis. It is not the amount of medicine that he is currently taking that concerns me, because he may just need that many to correct his symptoms. However, if he is still suffering with symtpoms even with taking this medication then his medication needs to be evaluated and/ or changed. I would advise a temporary leave of absence from work because symptoms are still present. I would then suggest a medical clearance from his psychiatrist, not psychologist, before returning to work stating that his condition has improved and he is no longer having symptoms that could impare his judgement.

 



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Ms. Alina -- Clinical Psychologist/EMT-P -- 98% Positive Feedback on 241 Health Accepts
Extensive practice within the hospital setting, EMT-Paramedic, Pursuing MA degree
Reply
January 31 4:22 PM (59 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Reply to Ms. Alina's Post: THANK YOU AGAIN.
MY CONCERN IS THAT HE DOESNT REGUALLY GO TO WORK.HE THINKS ITS OK TO STAY HOME AND STAY IN BED ALL DAY. HIS EXCUSE IS ADHD. HIS VOLUNTEER WORK IS HIS PRIORITY................SO, I CANT GO TO WORK BECAUSE OF MY ADHD BUT IT DOESNT EFFECT ME AFTER 7PM OR AT 2 AM.I THINK HE CONS HIS SHRINK.MY REAL CONCERN IS IF HE CAN FUNCTION WELL WITH ALL OF THE VALIUM AND OTHER DRUGS IN HIM.THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS MEDICAL/MENTAL PROBLEMS. THEY WERE NEVER DISCLOSED.MY CONCERN IS.... IS IT SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE WITH MY FAMILY IN HIS CAR?
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Answer
January 31 4:33 PM (11 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
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As a physician - I would have SERIOUS concerns about someone who was taking Valium 30 mg daily driving a car.

Valium does cause drowsiness, and can interfere with ability to drive or operate machinery.

Would I let someone with that dose of Valium drive me or my family - NO!

Edited by Family Physician on January 31 2008 at 4:34 PM

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Family Physician -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 3933 Health Accepts
Physician with 22 years experience in Emergency Medicine / Family Medicine
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