DOT Medical Examiner in Gallatin TN

by Dr. Michael Tigges
(Gallatin, TN)

Dr. Michael Tigges

www.samedaydot.com/faq/

My office in Gallatin, TN

National registry of Certified Medical Examiners

Hi,

I am a Certified DOT Medical Examiner and my job is to keep the public safe and keep truckers on the road, healthy and able to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

I was one of the first in TN to become a certified DOT Medical Examiner of the United States Federal Government. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners requires all medical examiners performing physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers to be trained and certified in FMCSA physical qualification standards.

I take my job seriously as truckers take their job seriously and realize that we must work together to keep everybody healthy and working on the road.

I am a hands on Doctor and am available to answer questions regarding blood pressure, medications and other questions and concerns that truckers have regarding their physical and am happy to help in any way I can.

For more info and/or to contact me go to:

http://www.samedaydot.com/faq/

and check out the frequently asked questions page.

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Mar 04, 2016
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BREATHING Q & A
by: Dr. Michael Tigges

Breathing

Q&A
Can a driver with lung disease get a DOT medical card?

The medical examiner will evaluate your condition to determine how the lung disease may affect your ability to safely drive and perform other duties of a commercial driver.

If you don’t have a medical opinion letter from a treating physician, you may need to go for a chest x-ray or pulmonary function tests before the medical examiner can consider certification or we may have to request further medical clearance from your treating doctor.

Is the use of oxygen therapy a disqualifier?

Most likely, yes, oxygen therapy while driving is a disqualifier. The reasons are twofold:

1. Malfunction of the oxygen equipment.
2. Progression of the disease may be debilitating. You may be considered if you can pass a pulmonary function test.

I was recently diagnosed with COPD. Can I lose my CDL because of this diagnosis?
The diagnosis of COPD is not, by itself a disqualifier for your cdl. It will/may have an effect while doing your medical examination and certification. Your best bet is to take any all notes from your primary lung doctor with you when you re-do your medical exam and certificate. The examiner just needs to make sure you are fit to return to work without being a risk to yourself or the public at large.

Can I still drive if I have a blood clot in the lung?

With the blood clot in the lung, you want to make sure you bring a note from you pulmonary specialist stating you are good to go. The medical examiner will need a copy for your file when he does the exam.

I had lung surgery and a lobectomy a few years ago. Will this fail me on a DOT physical?
In and of itself, the lobectomy should not be an issue.

But what was 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 affects your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

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