CHANTIX
08/04/08 19:48
Steve,
Maybe a small alert to pass around to the members:
I have a member who has been off work for approximatley 6 months from being diagnosed with having seizures. I believe he had a seizure around December and his family got him to the doctor where they began to run tests. Instantly, his own medical doctor had his drivers liscense revoked for (6 months). This in return was sent to the BNSF Medical where his certification was revoked for (6 months).
During the (6 month) break, my member seeked treatment at "Mayo Clinic" in Rochester, Minnisota. Upon completion of his tests he was informed that his seizures were being cause from a (stop-smoking) drug called "Chantix", which was indeed prescribed before Chistmas 2007 by his own family doctor.
Upon completion of his (6month) break, my member got his final release to be released back to work with all driving and heavy equiptment operating restrictions removed. However, the BNSF medical department declined and informed my member that they would reevaluate his condition in another 6 months before they would consider reenstating him back to service.
I called the International and spoke with a gentalman named, "Dan Cook", who I believe replaced Dennis Simmerman. During the conversation, Mr. Cook informed me that the anti-smoking drug "Chantix" was seriously being watched and it was banned by airline pilots by the FAA on June 5th, account the side effects cause seizures. He mentioned that the FRA has become very vigilant of the prescription drug and that the FRA as well as DOT are in the process of banning the use of this prescription drug to its employees.
We were very successful by getting the member reenstated back to service. We let his doctor and the BNSF doctor hash out the details. Im just glad he had light at the end of the tunnel.
Please feel free to discuss this with the membership. Maybe this could save someone some major aggravation further down the line if they are informed.
I have attached a copy of the article in this months BLET Journal newsletter for further support.
Thanks again,
TW Podrovitz
Local Chairman
BLET Division 644
Galesburg, Illinois
blet_644@mchsi.com
(309) 462-9364
DOT warns against anti-smoking drug Chantix
Maybe a small alert to pass around to the members:
I have a member who has been off work for approximatley 6 months from being diagnosed with having seizures. I believe he had a seizure around December and his family got him to the doctor where they began to run tests. Instantly, his own medical doctor had his drivers liscense revoked for (6 months). This in return was sent to the BNSF Medical where his certification was revoked for (6 months).
During the (6 month) break, my member seeked treatment at "Mayo Clinic" in Rochester, Minnisota. Upon completion of his tests he was informed that his seizures were being cause from a (stop-smoking) drug called "Chantix", which was indeed prescribed before Chistmas 2007 by his own family doctor.
Upon completion of his (6month) break, my member got his final release to be released back to work with all driving and heavy equiptment operating restrictions removed. However, the BNSF medical department declined and informed my member that they would reevaluate his condition in another 6 months before they would consider reenstating him back to service.
I called the International and spoke with a gentalman named, "Dan Cook", who I believe replaced Dennis Simmerman. During the conversation, Mr. Cook informed me that the anti-smoking drug "Chantix" was seriously being watched and it was banned by airline pilots by the FAA on June 5th, account the side effects cause seizures. He mentioned that the FRA has become very vigilant of the prescription drug and that the FRA as well as DOT are in the process of banning the use of this prescription drug to its employees.
We were very successful by getting the member reenstated back to service. We let his doctor and the BNSF doctor hash out the details. Im just glad he had light at the end of the tunnel.
Please feel free to discuss this with the membership. Maybe this could save someone some major aggravation further down the line if they are informed.
I have attached a copy of the article in this months BLET Journal newsletter for further support.
Thanks again,
TW Podrovitz
Local Chairman
BLET Division 644
Galesburg, Illinois
blet_644@mchsi.com
(309) 462-9364
DOT warns against anti-smoking drug Chantix
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