First, some trucking news. This item was in the Green Bay Press Gazette a few days ago. A 66 year old trucker, John Freeman, is accused of stabbing his driving partner, Steven Bregger, 56, at a truck stop in Pennsylvania. According to the PA State Police, one driver was criticizing the other over his driving on a trip from NJ. "The argument was over whether they should stop to eat and the accused’s driving habits while the victim was trying to sleep. The victim was upset. Bregger was listed in serious condition at Lancaster General Hospital. The two men work for the same trucking company – not identified. Freeman, who resides in Green Bay WI, faces charges of aggravated assault and is being held on $100,000 bail.
I mentioned in my last post that I came in off the road back on April 12th. I don’t recall what I delivered that day, but the consignee was somewhere in Ft. Meyers off I-75. I was scheduled for 3 1/2 days of home time. I stepped down from the truck at around 8pm that evening and have been medicated (drugged) in one form or another ever since – as many as 13 different types of pills at one time. I think I have some idea how Elvis felt. I should also say that all of these drugs have been offered for sale (illegally) at many truck stops and terminals I have traveled through. I don’t smoke marijuana, but that is also readily available at many rest areas, terminals and truck stops to drivers. I’ve avoided all these “temptations” for many years, but right now I’m in the thick of a world of recovery via similar drugs.
There have been two, what you might call, defining moments for me. The first was, when cleaning out my truck, I sat in the front seat and attempted to press the clutch. This was before the surgery. As I depressed the pedal, the pain in my left knee was so intense, I desperately needed something for the pain. The next was the second night after the first knee replacement surgery, when the pain was so overwhelming, I needed something to stop it, or I might have passed out. Prior to coming in off the road, there were times, after a long day of driving, without pulling over to take a break, I had severe episodes of pain, but could not take anything for the discomfort, because I would have not have been able to meet my delivery deadlines or drive safely. I have talked to other truckers in doctors offices who have the same experiences.
There are, in fact, thousands of truck drivers who suffer from severe joint pain, but do not seek treatment. They either cannot afford it, are afraid of doctors and hospitals, don’t want surgery, cannot take the time off from the road or have made the choice to “live” with the pain and possibly purchase (illegal) drugs on the road to deal with it. I lived with knee pain for over five years before I was forced to deal with it, primarily because I could no longer sleep. at night This is a fact not addressed by OOIDA or the ATA. The FMCSA seems more concerned about the cash cow to the medical profession of sleep apnea and BMI (body mass index) than the affect of joint pain on truck drivers. Let me remind my readers, that there are no regulations from the FMCSA or OHSA* that prevents or restricts any driver from lifting a 125 lbs. tarp (wet and frozen) up to the trailer deck. You won’t find UPS drivers doing that, because their union protects them from such abuse.
For the record, let me state that, thank goodness, I’m not (nor have ever been) addicted to any medication. I hate taking pills and strongly dislike feeling “drugged.” I have attempted to substitute over the counter remedies for pain, but they don’t work. Have you heard the names Ambien, Oxycodone or Percocet? What about Meloxicam, Celebrex or Citalopram? I’ll write more about these drugs in my next series of posts. Everybody’s experiences are different, but after taking one or more of these drugs, I have literally lost days being in a sort of fog or cloud, had conversations with my dog (he told me he wanted a snack with buttered Ritz crackers) and walked out my front door of my home and thought I was in a rain forest filled with wild animals. I also thought someone named John Huntsman announced he’s running for President.
Listen, please take care of yourself. Take frequent breaks. Buy some fruit. Eat an apple and a banana. Stretch your legs. Drink plenty of fluids. Thanks for listening. Later.
*Most OSHA regs do not cover truck drivers.
PS/Are you a smoker? Check this piece out – http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/health/policy/22smoke.html?_r=1&hp
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