Worried about my medical..

[railstorms]

I am starting as a conductor in a few weeks and I have a medical in the next few days.

I am worried because I currently take propranolol for anxiety. I don't suffer terribly with it, and have been on this medication for about a year.

I am just worried that they will frown upon this, as anything related to mental health still has such a stigma attached.

I know this is stupid but I am tempted to not declare that I take this drug. I have been on it over a year and feel fine, but I don't want to delay the process by having them write to my GP etc.

I am also aware this drug can cause side effects in people, things like drowsiness however I have never had a single issue with it.

Anyone advise?
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Can anyone help? This post got buried a few pages back as it took the mods a few days to authorise as I'm new

 

[Urban Gateline]

I am starting as a conductor in a few weeks and I have a medical in the next few days.

I am worried because I currently take propranolol for anxiety. I don't suffer terribly with it, and have been on this medication for about a year.

I am just worried that they will frown upon this, as anything related to mental health still has such a stigma attached.

I know this is stupid but I am tempted to not declare that I take this drug. I have been on it over a year and feel fine, but I don't want to delay the process by having them write to my GP etc.

I am also aware this drug can cause side effects in people, things like drowsiness however I have never had a single issue with it.

Anyone advise?
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Can anyone help? This post got buried a few pages back as it took the mods a few days to authorise as I'm new

If I remember correctly, if a drug screening shows positive and you fail to mention the drug you take before the screening then you will fail the medical. So it is in your interests to mention taking it and then see if they question you further on it, they may be fine with it...

 

[Stuart-h]

I'd also get your gp to write up a note as well conferming it the type of drug your taking.

I'd still be open and honest with them.

 

[railstorms]

I just doubt they'll pass me if I mention anxiety. It's perfectly under control but the word itself conjures up all sorts of images in people's minds. Mine is very minor anyway..took me 8 months to get a job offer so feeling a bit rubbish this may mess it up

 

[GadgetMan]

As above, be open and honest and they'll work with you to get you on the job if possible. Fail to declare the medication you are taking and you will fail the Drug screening as it will more than likely flag up leaving you in a weaker position.

 

[railstorms]

I know you are right, I just am already anticipating it delaying everything or them not understanding. As far as I'm aware it wouldn't come up in the drug screen as it is just a beta blocker but I know it isn't worth the risk. Really dreading it

 

[E&W Lucas]

I am starting as a conductor in a few weeks and I have a medical in the next few days.

I am worried because I currently take propranolol for anxiety. I don't suffer terribly with it, and have been on this medication for about a year.

I am just worried that they will frown upon this, as anything related to mental health still has such a stigma attached.

I know this is stupid but I am tempted to not declare that I take this drug. I have been on it over a year and feel fine, but I don't want to delay the process by having them write to my GP etc.

I am also aware this drug can cause side effects in people, things like drowsiness however I have never had a single issue with it.

Anyone advise?
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Can anyone help? This post got buried a few pages back as it took the mods a few days to authorise as I'm new

You will have to fill in a form, detailing your medical history, and any medication that you are taking.

As others have said, you must be totally honest.

Medical standards for the railway are defined. The Doctor will assess you against them. Nothing to do with "stigma" - it's allowed or it isn't.

 

[red2005]

If you do not declare it you are setting yourself up for a big fall mate!!A- on your medical if it shows as positive especially if it has ingredients that promote drowsiness and B- when it shows positive and you try and plead your case it then becomes an honesty issue which is very much frowned upon in positions of trust where you have cash handling,safety and direct interaction with members of the public!

Trust me I'm a conductor and I know how strict they are on these policies!you'd basically be kissing what could be a very good career ( with this particular company ) goodbye

 

[tony6499]

If you don't declare all medication you leave yourself liable to dismissal

 

[so_nervous]

If you do not declare it you are setting yourself up for a big fall mate!!A- on your medical if it shows as positive especially if it has ingredients that promote drowsiness and B- when it shows positive and you try and plead your case it then becomes an honesty issue which is very much frowned upon in positions of trust where you have cash handling,safety and direct interaction with members of the public!

Trust me I'm a conductor and I know how strict they are on these policies!you'd basically be kissing what could be a very good career ( with this particular company ) goodbye

Just wondering, what if you are on medication that *could* cause drowsiness but for you personally they don't?
Im taking a few things that list these as side effects but I feel fine and have never been drowsy on them..would they just assume the worst though?

 

[Stuart-h]

as far as im aware the drug making people are just covering there back.

 

[so_nervous]

as far as im aware the drug making people are just covering there back.

Exactly, so if I have been taking a medication for a while and say it doesn't make me drowsy/tired, will they take my word for it? Or just not employ me etc?

 

[Sir Topham Hat]

Exactly, so if I have been taking a medication for a while and say it doesn't make me drowsy/tired, will they take my word for it? Or just not employ me etc?

Chances are they won't employ you. The railway industry is extremely strict when it comes to medication in safety critical positions. As soon as a member of traincrew is prescribed medication by their GP the first thing we have to do is let our TOC know what it is so they can check against the database of what is and isn't permitted. I couldn't even take hay fever tablets earlier this year. So while a certain drug may not cause you personally any drowsiness the TOC wouldn't be willing to take that risk if it is suggested that drowsiness is a side effect.

 

[so_nervous]

Chances are they won't employ you. The railway industry is extremely strict when it comes to medication in safety critical positions. As soon as a member of traincrew is prescribed medication by their GP the first thing we have to do is let our TOC know what it is so they can check against the database of what is and isn't permitted. I couldn't even take hay fever tablets earlier this year. So while a certain drug may not cause you personally any drowsiness the TOC wouldn't be willing to take that risk if it is suggested that drowsiness is a side effect.

This makes me really :cry: after all these months and being offered the job something like that is going to stop me. I take the lowest possible dose and never have had any side effects. I actually think I am going to cry!!! Id just as soon stop taking it but with the medical being very soon Im sure itll still be in my system haha! What a let down..

 

[Stuart-h]

Best thing to do is to take what medication you are taking and show the doctor or nurse when you have the medical.

 

[SND150]

This makes me really :cry: after all these months and being offered the job something like that is going to stop me. I take the lowest possible dose and never have had any side effects. I actually think I am going to cry!!! Id just as soon stop taking it but with the medical being very soon Im sure itll still be in my system haha! What a let down..

Don't assume the worst, as previous posts have said just be honest with the TOC get a note from your doctor and tell the TOC what steps you have or are taking to overcome the anxiety so you can stop taking the pills if that is what you are planning to do. If they can see you are taking positive steps to try and establish the root cause of your anxiety so you can tackle it they may look upon the situation more favourably????
Also if you are planning to stop taking the pills you need to make sure you do it with reference to your doctor. I ain't medically trained but as with any long term drug use it can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking them, it needs to be done gradually.

 

[so_nervous]

Don't assume the worst, as previous posts have said just be honest with the TOC get a note from your doctor and tell the TOC what steps you have or are taking to overcome the anxiety so you can stop taking the pills if that is what you are planning to do. If they can see you are taking positive steps to try and establish the root cause of your anxiety so you can tackle it they may look upon the situation more favourably????
Also if you are planning to stop taking the pills you need to make sure you do it with reference to your doctor. I ain't medically trained but as with any long term drug use it can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking them, it needs to be done gradually.

Unlike the original poster my medication is just on a ''as and when'' basis and I usually take a very low dose before things like driving tests, public speeches. Not everyday, my prescription also says "take when necessary" as opposed to daily. Do you think this will go in my favour?

 

[jaarus]

Long term or short term medication should always be mentioned to your doc at medical. Who knows what they test for and if your bloods come back with lots of (!!!!)'s that no-one was expecting, well surely that is going to raise some eyebrows!

Personally, I would just be clear that you only take a low dose in advance of times that you know are likely to cause extreme stress, certainly not day to day, Highlighting the fact that although you rarely take it you wanted to be upfront and honest.

At the end of the day the decision on suitability is theirs but, its far better to be upfront and 'nothing to hide' about it and get an informed decision from them than try to hide it (or at least hope its not discovered) only for it to be discovered at some point down the line and then it all appear a bit cloak and dagger and you being found to be on undeclared prescription meds etc.

 

[SND150]

Unlike the original poster my medication is just on a ''as and when'' basis and I usually take a very low dose before things like driving tests, public speeches. Not everyday, my prescription also says "take when necessary" as opposed to daily. Do you think this will go in my favour?

I echo Jaarus's response sound advise!!

 

[red2005]

Basically any medication that causes drowsiness or risks drowsiness will not be allowed whilst undertaking safety critical duties!

I was on cocodamol after a wisdom tooth op it hardly affected me but they still wouldn't let me return to work until I had finished the suggested dosage!you aren't even meant to take some headache tablets as they contain codiene!this is how strict they are!

Like some of the other guys said its not all doom n gloom!just declare it!the railway are a helpful bunch!!theres only generally 2 things that'll stop you getting on or get u the sack from the railway!lying and stealing!steer clear of those mate and you'll be fine he he

 

[so_nervous]

Cool, well I haven't taken what I sometimes need for a few days (had to give a speech at a wedding!) so I'll mention it just incase it did come up in the urine test!

 

[E&W Lucas]

There's also a need to recognise that railway work can involve sudden "bursts" of extreeme pressure, totally out of the blue. Guards, drivers, etc, just have to be able to cope with it. There's no opportunity to "pop a pill"; probably best to have a coping strategy in place, that you can talk to the doctor about.

 

[Sir Topham Hat]

This makes me really :cry: after all these months and being offered the job something like that is going to stop me. I take the lowest possible dose and never have had any side effects. I actually think I am going to cry!!! Id just as soon stop taking it but with the medical being very soon Im sure itll still be in my system haha! What a let down..

Sorry to have upset you! The best advice I can give is to be honest with the TOC and also speak to your GP to see if there are any alternative medicines you can take or maybe a lower dosage. All is not yet lost so think positive and as long as you're honest with them then hopefully there is some kind of solution.

 

[so_nervous]

Sorry to have upset you! The best advice I can give is to be honest with the TOC and also speak to your GP to see if there are any alternative medicines you can take or maybe a lower dosage. All is not yet lost so think positive and as long as you're honest with them then hopefully there is some kind of solution.

Oh I was fine! Explained the situation and the woman completely understood. I asked about a few of the things that have been said and she said as long as a GP note backed up whatever you were taking as something you are fine with, she would pass the person. It's not automatically OUT if a certain medication can cause possible drowsiness in some people.

 

[jaarus]

Really good to hear!


I am also worried about my medical but my fears are around my BMI and Blood Pressure!

My BP I know tests high - personally I think its panic. Doctors, Police etc just make me nervous - no idea why??! haha
BMI - thought I was borderline then I measured myself and I am actually 2" shorter than I thought ------ aaaargh!!?


Sadly there is not really a quick fix for either, but I am hoping (assuming I even pass my assessment of course!) that I will have maybe about 2 weeks from today until I would have to attend a medical - not a lot granted - but thats two weeks of trying to excercise a bit everyday and snack less. Every little helps.


I am now drinking beetroot juice daily, going to start an informal 'Slimming World' diet to try and shift as many lbs as possible in the interim (did it before and I was losing weight left right and centre - then it just got a bit samey lol).

 

[so_nervous]

Really good to hear!


I am also worried about my medical but my fears are around my BMI and Blood Pressure!

My BP I know tests high - personally I think its panic. Doctors, Police etc just make me nervous - no idea why??! haha
BMI - thought I was borderline then I measured myself and I am actually 2" shorter than I thought ------ aaaargh!!?


Sadly there is not really a quick fix for either, but I am hoping (assuming I even pass my assessment of course!) that I will have maybe about 2 weeks from today until I would have to attend a medical - not a lot granted - but thats two weeks of trying to excercise a bit everyday and snack less. Every little helps.


I am now drinking beetroot juice daily, going to start an informal 'Slimming World' diet to try and shift as many lbs as possible in the interim (did it before and I was losing weight left right and centre - then it just got a bit samey lol).

I'm the same - my blood pressure is ALWAYS high if I am in an unfamiliar setting and feeling nervous when it is measured. It's been that way ever since I was younger, but they made me wear a 24 hour monitor and the only high reading from that was the very first one it took as I was sat with my GP, the rest was totally normal. I actually took along my letter that detailed the results to my medical as I knew it would be high. The woman said it was raised but given my age and general health and the fact I have white coat, she wasn't concerned.

Do your best as soon as you get in there to make conversation and relax!

 

[JasonW]

my case is a bit similar, I was prescribed medication by my gp a while ago. Its not taken daily ,also as mentioned before its "as and when'' basis and I usually take a very low dose,half of it.
I'm due for a medical soon so what should I do,should I ask my GP for a note stating what I'm taking and what dose?
Do TOC's consider individual circumstances or the fact that admitting that I take(once ,twice a week) a prescribed medication will go against me as it can cause drawsiness?

 

[A-driver]

my case is a bit similar, I was prescribed medication by my gp a while ago. Its not taken daily ,also as mentioned before its "as and when'' basis and I usually take a very low dose,half of it.
I'm due for a medical soon so what should I do,should I ask my GP for a note stating what I'm taking and what dose?
Do TOC's consider individual circumstances or the fact that admitting that I take(once ,twice a week) a prescribed medication will go against me as it can cause drawsiness?

If you are taking something that can cause drowsiness then normally you won't be allowed it for safety critical duties. It dosnt mean a certain 'no ' for the job, they will need to find alternative medication which is compatible with the job. It also depends what the medication is for and if it's a long term or short term prescription.

Also, when you say you are 'due' a medical soon are you suggesting you already work in the industry? If so and it's a periodical medical then should you already be taking the medication? Anything you take needs to be declared straight away...I may have just mis interpreted your post but the use if the word 'due' concerned me slightly.

 

[JasonW]

If you are taking something that can cause drowsiness then normally you won't be allowed it for safety critical duties. It dosnt mean a certain 'no ' for the job, they will need to find alternative medication which is compatible with the job. It also depends what the medication is for and if it's a long term or short term prescription.

Also, when you say you are 'due' a medical soon are you suggesting you already work in the industry? If so and it's a periodical medical then should you already be taking the medication? Anything you take needs to be declared straight away...I may have just mis interpreted your post but the use if the word 'due' concerned me slightly.

yeah I already work in the industry.I mentioned this to my GP when I had the consultation and she only suggested not to take it when I'm due at work, which I've always followed.
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I've just double checked and drowsiness is not one of the side effects. It does mention dizziness as an uncommon one.
In any case I'll speak to someone tomorrow to come clear before the medical.
Should I get a GP note just in case too?

 

[A-driver]

yeah I already work in the industry.I mentioned this to my GP when I had the consultation and she only suggested not to take it when I'm due at work, which I've always followed.

A little worrying-if suggest informing your line manager that you are taking something. Should you be med screened then you may find yourself in hot water if traces of something undisclosed are found. And they may not take kindly to you not informing them if it comes up in a periodical medical. If it's periodical then you must already be in a safety critical role? If so taking something regularly without alerting your manager is very silly and is seriously suggest you think through the consequences?

Sorry to rant but should you be found out to be taking something you shouldn't your feet won't touch the floor on the way out. It's treated the same as being found with traces of cannabis or alcohol in you.