$70 Easy DOT Physical Exam Grand Junction Colorado

DOT Physical Instructions

We want to make your DOT Exam a smooth, seamless process and we want you to pass your exam.

We are a separate business located within the COOR Wellness building between Patterson and Orchard Ave on the east side of the 12th Street.

To Do List

  1. Look for a separate email &/or text message to complete the health history. This necessary document you complete for every DOT exam (even if you have done one before). If you cannot do it through your phone or computer, you can call our remote team and they can ask you the questions over the phone (970-712-8193).
  2. Complete a separate brief electronic form called your Privacy Policy. Click HERE to complete that information. You will receive another email to sign this form electronically from an email company called Sign Request (similar to Docusign).
  3. Reply to this email if you have a medical condition that may affect your DOT Medical Card and you need guidance on what to bring to improve your chances of passing.
  4. Shower & clean your ears out.
  5. Arrive hydrated with water so you can provide a urine sample (it is not a drug test, but marijuana is a disqualifying substance even though it is legal to use in Colorado)
  6. Bring medications or a list of medications with your dosage and reason for taking it
    • If you are taking prescription medications CLICK HERE to download the new DOT Medication Form for your prescribing provider to complete before you arrive. While this isn’t 100% necessary, having it completed and to us before your arrival significantly increases your chances of passing.
  7. If you use a CPAP for Sleep Apnea, contact the company who gave you the CPAP machine to print your compliance log.

Don’t List

  • Do not use tobacco or caffeine for 2 hours before your exam
  • Do not tell us you were not aware marijuana is disqualifying

Call us if you have any questions at 970-712-8193

Pre-Exam Checklists

If you have one of the conditions below, please click the link and print the checklist on what to bring to prepare for your exam:

High Blood Pressure – this is the most common reason people get less than a 2 year card. CLICK HERE to learn how to lower your BP naturally and come prepared to pass.

Diabetes – if you use Insulin for Diabetes, you will want to read the checklist by CLICKING HERE and have your doctor complete this necessary form – CLICK HERE for the new required form for Insulin treated Diabetes. For diabetics who do not use insulin, please read the checklist and bring those items.

Heart Attack – Myocardial Infarction – there are specific things that you can bring that will improve the chances of you passing after you’ve had a heart attack CLICK HERE FOR THE CHECKLIST

Know Your Health

The better you know how your medical conditions affect your certification length, the more likely you will pass your exam. Just because you pay for your exam does not mean you will pass. You want to research your conditions before you arrive.

There are a few places you can do this.
CLICK HERE to purchase the #1 authority on the DOT Physical. This is the text book that guides medical examiners and their decision making. If you have a medical condition, you will want to look it up in this book.

CLICK HERE to research your medical conditions in the 2014 Medical Handbook issued by the FMCSA.

CLICK HERE to research your medical conditions in the new Medical Handbook being drafted by the FMCSA.

If you’re interested in quitting smoking, check out the best way by clicking HERE

Sleep Apnea, Your Health, The Effect on Your Profession

The lifestyle of a truck driver is not for everyone and sleep apnea can easily creep in to further complicate things.  The hours can be irregular and long. Drivers sit for extended periods of time with little physical activity.  Many of them have a diet high in sodium and fat thanks to the convenience of fast food.  While this lifestyle isn’t glamorous, it is rewarding and doesn’t have to be detrimental to the drivers’ health with the proper diet, exercise, sleep, and routine check-ups. 

Explaining Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is extremely common, however, growing obesity rates in the truck driving industry, have left drivers more exposed to acquiring it.   OSA occurs when a person’s breathing becomes obstructed during sleep due to throat muscles that relax intermittently, meaning they stop breathing.  This results in a person not reaching the full restorative REM sleep cycle.

What Does This Mean for Truck Drivers

According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA} reports show that over 28% of truck drivers have sleep apnea.  Those with mild sleep apnea are still qualified for truck driving jobs.  However, they must see a medical examiner to determine their fitness to operate a motor vehicle.

Disrupted sleep can decrease a truck driver’s cognitive function and cause increased daytime sleepiness.  This leads to more truck driving accidents.  While driving any vehicle requires an alert driver, truck drivers are typically going down the highway at the tune of 50 – 80 thousand pounds.  Reaction time is key and lessened if the driver is groggy.

Disrupted sleep can decrease a truck driver’s cognitive function and cause increased daytime sleepiness.  This leads to more truck driving accidents.  While driving any vehicle requires an alert driver, truck drivers are typically going down the highway at the tune of 50 – 80 thousand pounds.  Reaction time is key and lessened if the driver is groggy.

Sleepiness, dull response time, and lack of concentration are all side effects of sleep apnea.  A crash can occur in the blink of an eye.  Current times have proven that the country depends on truck drivers to deliver goods that we use in every aspect of our lives.  Sleep apnea can hinder the driver’s ability to function safely. 

Drivers can still drive commercial vehicles if they have been diagnosed with sleep apnea as long as they are compliant with their treatment.  This means they may only be granted a year on their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC).  However, if they are not compliant, they could be denied the MEC and lose their CDL.  Bring your CPAP compliance log to all future DOT physicals. Safety is first and foremost.

DOT Physical Grand Junction

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Several risk factors can increase the development of sleep apnea.  This condition does not fully discriminate.  This condition can affect both men and women, though men are at a greater risk.  While sleep apnea can occur in those of average weight, those who are obese are four-times more likely to incur it.

Smoking can increase a person’s chances of this condition because of the possible fluid retention and inflammation often brought on by cigarette smoke.

Alcohol and pain medications can relax the muscle tissue in the throat, also elevating the risk of sleep apnea.

Sitting in a truck all day, easily contributes to poor posture and results in alignment issues with the cervical spine.  This mis-alignement is another contributing factor.

Those with a larger neck are more prone to sleep apnea.

Lastly, this condition can also run in some families.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The main symptom of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness.  Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:

  • The size of the neck
  • Restless Sleep
  • Loud snoring with brief periods of silence followed by gasps
  • Falling asleep during the day
  • Morning headaches
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability, mood or behavior changes
  • Forgetfulness
  • Anxiety and depression

Should you be experiencing three or more of these symptoms, it would be wise of you to consult a physician.

Sleep Apnea DOT Physical

What if it Goes Untreated

There are further risks involved if sleep apnea gets ignored.  Possible risks include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Cardiac risk
  • Hypertension
  • Irritability
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Depression
  • May lose your CDL

Take Action

Now that you better understand sleep apnea, you can become proactive in addressing the issues that can contribute to this condition; sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and healthier choices.  We encourage you to check out our Trucker Transformation program at www.truckertransformation.com. We developed this program and believe it is the best method to support truck drivers prior to them actually incurring additional health issues. 

Or, if you want to join a group of drivers supporting each other on their weight loss journey, click HERE to join our free Trucker Transformation weight loss group.

However, if you have already been diagnosed, the most common treatment for sleep apnea is the continuous positive airway pressure machine.  A CPAP machine is a device worn during sleep that increases the air pressure in the throat so the airway doesn’t collapse when breathing in, allowing the deep restorative sleep needed.  Be compliant with your treatment and you will be able to continue your profession.

Keep yourself safe as well as others on the road and see your doctor if you feel you have undiagnosed sleep apnea or the symptoms.

For More Information

Click HERE to hear more about OSA from the FMCSA.

When you need a DOT or CDL Physical in Grand Junction or Fruita Colorado, you can schedule online by clicking HERE

First Aid Occupational Health provides the most affordable and smoothest DOT experience in Grand Junction. You can call for more information at 970-712-8193.

Click HERE to Schedule a DOT Physical in Grand Junction

Trucker Transformation

Coconut Red Lentil Curry

Every once in while you come across a recipe that becomes a fast favorite.  Coconut Red Lentil Curry is that recipe for my husband Trucker Jim.  When it is simmering on the stove the whole house smells amazing and exotic.  I first tried this dish while on vacation in Costa Rica and came home and immediately started looking for a recipe.  I would give credit to the original recipe writer but can’t remember where I finally found it.  Then, of course, I made some changes of my own to accommodate food sensitivities and this the end result.  This recipe can easily be doubled and frozen in serving sizes to take on the road.  Trucker Jim says this is his favorite.

This recipe is filled with veggies, complex carbohydrate, healthy fats and yummy spices.  If you like you can add some chopped protein of choice like maybe some shrimp or chopped cooked turkey.  You will notice that the “red lentils” turn yellow from the curry.

grand-junction-dot-physical

COCONUT RED-LENTIL CURRY

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 Tbsp olive or coconut oil

1 Tbsp finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp turmeric

 

1 tsp sea salt

1 (2 1/2- inch) fresh Jalapeno or Serrano chile, finely chopped  ( include seeds and veins for more heat)

2 cups  water ( I use homemade turkey bone broth)

1 1/2 Cups  dried red lentils (10 oz)

1 (13-14 oz) can of whole fat unsweetened coconut milk

1 lb of zucchini (2 medium) or yellow squash cut into 1/4 inch dice

1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro sprigs ( optional of course)

 

Cook onion in oil in an 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until edges are golden, about 6 minutes.nutrition

 

Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring for 1 minute.

 

Add seasonings and stir for 1 minute.

 

Stir in liquid, lentils and coconut milk.  Simmer covered, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.

Stir in zucchini and simmer, covered, until lentils and zucchini are tender, about 15 minutes.

Serve over rice.  I prefer wild rice. I also like to top the curry with a sprinkle of raisins, coconut, and peanuts. (all totally optional)

Yields 6-8 servings (main course)  Total time: 45 minutes

If you are making a large batch you can freeze the leftovers for later use or to take on the road with you.  Just fill the bottom of your container with rice and fill with Coconut Red Lentil Curry.  Warm in your crock pot of however you like.

Need More Help?

DOT Physical CDL Exam Grand Junction Colorado

If you try these or have tried these and you are not making progress, please reach out. There are additional ways to lower blood pressure beyond supplementing with beets or walking.

For instance, we offer a 12-month nutrition program specifically for commercial drivers. This is a remote program that helps drivers make one better choice at a time and often they lose weight. Our last commercial driver lost 40 pounds in 12 months. Call 970-712-8193 to schedule a free 10-minute consultation. And you get 50% when you sign up within two weeks of your last DOT Physical.

Want more?

To learn more about healthy options for truck drivers, please visit www.truckertransformation.com, or if you’re looking to lose weight feel free to join our FREE supportive Facebook group by clicking here.

To schedule the most affordable DOT or CDL Physical Medical Exam in Grand Junction, CLICK HERE

Company Info

First Aid Occupational Health
2140 N 12th
Grand Junction, CO 81501

tel. (970) 712-8193

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