Sleep Disorders
Topic 16728 | Page 1
From what I'm seeing from my brief research, the disorder appears to potentially interfere with getting decent REM Sleep (as in restful sleep). This results in the driver potentially being sleepy/drowsy during waking hours - which could contribute to ACCIDENTS.
So you really want the results of your sleep study explained in detail, so you might get some idea how badly this disorder affects your ability to get restful sleep.
The issue with PLMD (from my not so in depth research) is that unlike OSA - you can't just get a CPAP machine to counteract the causal symptoms. If the condition is so severe that it's preventing restful sleep - the article I linked to has some suggestions for non-medication based relief.
The meds usually prescribed for this condition, are not allowed (typically) for folks, that are driving trucks.
Now - if you're asking whether or not to disclose this diagnosis at a DOT/Company physical - board policy is that we NEVER TELL PEOPLE TO LIE. And this isn't a "thinly veiled hint TO LIE".
If you have it - and are having issues with restful sleep - you will potentially be a hazard to yourself and the public by driving a truck. If your symptoms can be managed by medications (allowing you to get restful sleep) these medications themselves may create issues with you getting approved in a DOT/Company physical. And you should NEVER LIE ABOUT MEDS. Aside from them possibly being caught in a drug screen - if you lie about them and get in an accident - you could be looking at CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
Sorry I don't have any "real answers" for you here. I didn't find this specific condition referenced in FMCSA regs.
Rick
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thank you Rick! Hopefully I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm anxious to see what the doc says. I had the sleep study done because of my neck size and BMI. I sleep fine at night and wake up rested so I was was kinda confident I didn't have sleep apnea...but the tech mentioned my legs twitching so I googled it and this PLMS stuff came up. Just have to wait and see what the doc says. Thanks for the info..
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
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Are companies only concerned with "Sleep Apnea " or other sleep issues as welll? An example is "Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)". I had a sleep study done the other day but I haven't received the results yet. The tech unofficially told me the only thing that really happened was that my legs were all over the place. "IF" I'm told I have that, I'm Just wondering if something like that can be an issue during the company physical
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.