working with a ICD

Hello all,

I just got a ICD last Friday. This is my first one and so there are a million things running through my head about how life is going to be now. I was wondering if anybody here lives in Ca and has a defibrillator, that holds a commercial drivers license. I am terrified that I am going to lose my job because I may not pass the physical having this device in my chest. Thank you all so much for any help you may bring!

2 Comments

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

by markjbaker - 2009-04-14 06:04:52

Here in the UK you can't drive commercially if you have an ICD.

According its website, the California DMV needs you to pass a medical. Guidance for the medical can be found here:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/Medical-Report.pdf

Quoting it on Pacemakers and ICDs:

"Coronary artery bypass surgery and pacemaker implantation are remedial procedures and thus, not unqualifying. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are disqualifying due to risk of syncope. Coumadin is a medical treatment which can improve the health and safety of the driver and should not, by its use, medically disqualify the commercial driver.

(See Cardiovasular Advisory Panel Guidelines for the Medical examination of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/medreports.htm) "

Not the news you want to hear, I am afraid, it looks like you are not allowed to drive commercially anywhere in the US, as well as Calif.

CDL with ICD

by thomast - 2009-04-14 07:04:33

You cannot have a CDL in Arkansas with an ICD.

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

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Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.