Medical help!

[SlamDoor]

Hi Guys,

I received a call today saying that subject to a medical, i have got a job with Southern Railways as a conductor :razz:

However, i have a quick question. I have recently come off a mild dose of Citalopram, which is an anti-depressent.

It may not even show up in the drugs test, but would that stop me from passing the medical?

Also, i get nervous of anything medical and I am sure my blood pressure will go through the roof, I hope they make allowances for that!

Any help you can provide would be great...

Thanks in advance.

SlamDoor

 

[Wyvern]

In advance of more knowledgeable reply, I'd say don't chance it. Tell them you have been taking it. It wont go against you and it would be a pity to blow it having got this far.

 

[Ibex]

Well really all you can do is declare on the form you have to fill out, that you've been taking it. Obviously it's not an illegal substance or anything so they will hardly pounce on you for it, even if you don't take it anymore I would still declare it.

Congratulations either way :P

 

[SlamDoor]

Well really all you can do is declare on the form you have to fill out, that you've been taking it. Obviously it's not an illegal substance or anything so they will hardly pounce on you for it, even if you don't take it anymore I would still declare it.

Congratulations either way :P

Thanks guys,

I always intended to declare it, but people can be so judgemental if you have had to take anti-depressents for whatever reason, and i dont want to be refused employment as this is my dream job, (sad i know!)

 

[CarterUSM]

Do not worry whatsoever about this. The medics are not there to label you due to personal circumstances. As has been said, be honest and let them know how you are at the present time, this is the most important thing. You will not be stigmatised because of x-y or z. It is also common to get 'white coat' hypertension. This is an increase in blood pressure just because your in the said enviroment. I'm sure they will understand, and will give you relaxing tips. It's easy for me to say don't worry, but honestly, be cool as you can, it will be fine. Let us know how you get on. And well done also. Enjoy your new job!

 

[SlamDoor]

Do not worry whatsoever about this. The medics are not there to label you due to personal circumstances. As has been said, be honest and let them know how you are at the present time, this is the most important thing. You will not be stigmatised because of x-y or z. It is also common to get 'white coat' hypertension. This is an increase in blood pressure just because your in the said enviroment. I'm sure they will understand, and will give you relaxing tips. It's easy for me to say don't worry, but honestly, be cool as you can, it will be fine. Let us know how you get on.

I will, and thank you!

If I pass the medical, I start my training on the 10th of May, and I CANNOT WAIT!!

My BMI is around 25/26 and i can see/hear ok, so i'm hoping i will pass!

 

[Greenback]

I've always asked for two blood pressure readings to be taken, the later one is usually lower! It seems the medical people (at least at my GP!) are aware that in most people BP goes up when the readings are taken, due to the actual tightening of the cuff as well as being in a medical environment!

 

[Old Timer]

Just to reinforce what others have said, the medical is just a basic healthcheck, probably carried out by a specialist occupational health nurse, rather than a Doctor, as this seems to be the case now.

They are simply there to confirm your health status against the RSSB requirements, and any requirements of the individual employer (sometimes for Life Assurance or private medical health care schemes).

I am told that the medication clears your system within 7 to 8 days but I am unable to establish just yet if it will trip a D&A test as I do not have access to that part of the system here.

The Pharmacist should be able to advise on that or call one of the BUPA railway screening centres and ask.

 

[StewieG]

My dad was on citalopram... And had to inform his work (he worked trackside) and this did have an impact on him working on trackside... Obviously, it isn't trackside for you, and the problem isn't the same as yours - so as others have said - doesn't hurt to tell them.

Better be safe than sorry!

 

[SlamDoor]

Now i'm properly nervous guys!

I have my appointment for the medical on the 03rd of March at 10:30.

As part of the questionnaire it asks about stress etc. I was made redundent at the end of 2008 when the company I worked for went bust and the whole year was a bad year, leading to me temporarily going on to Citalopram in December for a short period of time.

I am now off citalopram and feel a lot better. However, i will have to divulge that i suffered from stress last year. I never had any time off due to this and I am a together person.

However, the questionnaire does not allow for your personallity!!

Will i get disqualified because of this?? People have such a stigma attached to stress related illnesses, even if they are in the past.

Totally worried now.

 

[CarterUSM]

It's quite a big deal to lose your job out of the blue in that fashion. I'm very easy going but I think i'd have been pretty stressed about that myself, as would most people! It is a perfectly normal reaction to a situation like that. DO NOT, worry about this questionaire! Your luck and situation have now changed for the better, it is usual to have a certain amount of anxiety on a day to day basis with certain things, channel this positively and you will honestly be okay. You will have the chance to explain yourself at the medical, I promise you this is not a big deal. PM me if you have further concerns though.

 

[SlamDoor]

Thanks Carter,

It is a job that I really want to do and it would be such a shame to fall at the final hurdle.

How do I send PM's on this forum?? (off topic i know!)

Thanks

Micah

 

[CarterUSM]

Just click on my a username and it will give you the option to send a PM.

 

[SlamDoor]

Hi Guys,

Well the medical is in two days time!

I had the opportunity to take my blood pressure last night as a friend had a home test kit.

Anyway, I had never bothered taking it before but when i took it last night, it was 158/97, which i understand is a bit high.

Will this cause me problems now? I always thought i was so healthy!

 

[royaloak]

Maybe you need to relax, you seem to be stressing out, checking everything etc, just chill out a bit!T he medical is a very basic one focusing on heart rate, hearing and eyesight mainly, BMI and general health.
They will probably ask you a question or 2 about the medication but will just be a to "tick the box".

Dont take this the wrong way, but you are coming across as a bit of a stress-head which will be a much bigger problem that a couple of months on an anti-depressant, there is a difference between worrying about things and stressing out!

To be honest you have done all the hard work, if they thought there were stressy you wouldnt have got this far,
RELAX

 

[SlamDoor]

Maybe you need to relax, you seem to be stressing out, checking everything etc, just chill out a bit!

True! Best advice in weeks i suppose! LOL

 

[CarterUSM]

Hear hear, just relax, don't do it.

 

[royaloak]

The medical is the EASIEST part of the recruitment by far, unless you are a crackhead or an alcoholic!

did hear of one bloke who passed the pee test, until they congratulated him on being pregnant , needless to say he didnt get the job and the best bit was he didnt know his girlfriend was pregnant either.

 

[SlamDoor]

The medical is the EASIEST part of the recruitment by far, unless you are a crackhead or an alcoholic!

did hear of one bloke who passed the pee test, until they congratulated him on being pregnant , needless to say he didnt get the job and the best bit was he didnt know his girlfriend was pregnant either.

Brilliant, that is properly funny!! LOL

What an idiot though. I havent had a drop of alcohol since Sunday and dont take drugs anyway so all good!

Cheers for lightening the mood chaps!

 

[CarterUSM]

That's the spirit mate, stay cool.

 

[SlamDoor]

Had the medical today.

Everything was fine APART from the fact that they need to write to my GP with regards to me taking Citalopram and get a report from them in order to make their final recommendation.

DOH!

 

[CarterUSM]

That will be okay mate, just a confirmation that everything is fine now. Done and dusted.

 

[SlamDoor]

That will be okay mate, just a confirmation that everything is fine now. Done and dusted.

Not as simple as that i'm afraid. I didnt make an appointment with my Doc to come off the Citalopram. As a lot of people i know have done, I came of when i felt I was good and ready.

I have made an appointment to see the doc next Weds to let her know she will need to provide a report and to see what she will say.

Sorry to bore you guys further, just thought I would update you all though...

 

[CarterUSM]

Not at all mate. Just want you to get the job okay. Did you tell them at the medical you just stopped taking them? That will be why they have to contact GP. Again, i'm sure that will be okay, it's not as if you have been dishonest or misleading. The worst is over mate. I take it you BP was fine though?

 

[SlamDoor]

Not at all mate. Just want you to get the job okay. Did you tell them at the medical you just stopped taking them? That will be why they have to contact GP. Again, i'm sure that will be okay, it's not as if you have been dishonest or misleading. The worst is over mate. I take it you BP was fine though?

Hi, Yes my BP, weight, eyesight, colour vision and hearing were all fine. My pee will also be fine, although that was a very strange experience having to pee in front of 2 women just outside my cubicle door!!!!!!!

Hopefully all will be good. I told them that I stopped taking them about 2 weeks ago, which is why they need to contact the GP. Cant believe I will probably have to wait another 2 - 3 weeks! She said that GP's are usually dead slow in getting back to her.

Thanks again...

 

[Dolive22]

I expect they just want to make sure you don't have a condition that will conflict with the job, as Citalopram has more than one clinical indiction, and you probably couldn't be a conductor while actually on it, as the side effects include visual disturbances, postural hyoptension (seeing stars and possibly staggering when you stand up suddenly), amnesia, confusion, tachycardia and impaired concentration. That probabaly sound quite worrying, but they also include yawning. They throw everything in. I once saw an amphetamine with a rare side effect of drowsiness listed.

I expect your doctor will tell you this, but you shouldn't just stop taking SSRIs, you have to stop slowly.

 

[Old Timer]

I have checked and Citalopram is an absolute "no-no" requiring anyone taking it to be relieved from all duty pending a full medical review.

A return to duty is only through agreement with the Occupational Health Doctor, after the course of medication has stopped.

 

[SlamDoor]

Thanks for the info old timer, but i am not on this anymore, it was only a very temporary thing.

Plus, i went to the Doctors this morning to see if they have recieved the medical report request yet, but I need to chase it up as she has not seen it yet.

Never thought this would get so drawn out!!

Oh well, nothing I can do to change the outcome, so...

 

[SlamDoor]

Hi guys,

well my docs have finally completed the medical report and sent it back.

I spoke with the nurse who conducted my medical and she has returned her report to southern detailing the following: that although I have had a medical condition, I am "F1" which apparently means fit for work!

She said I now need to wait on southern for. Final employment decision.

I hate waiting!

Anyhow, just thought I would update here as u have all been very supportive so far!

Cheers

 

[CarterUSM]

Great news mate! I expect that contract will be wing-ing its way to you shortly.