CPAP Question
Topic 17321 | Page 1
They are going to want one full month of reports and for it to be up to par with DOT.
They gave me a two month med card to get my permit and test then gave me the apnea test which I passed. But if you tell them you have it, they will want the 30 days, so I suggest you get working on increasing your usage.
Also be advised they may make you purchase a different machine with a modem that will send the results remotely.
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.
I'm stuck wearing a facehugger myself, despite having absolutely no tiredness of snoring issues, after foolishly asking to be tested so they would stop harping on me about my weight, but that's a story for a different time. (Never ask a self-insured company for a test that will cost them money if you pass.)
Rainy is correct, at least for Stevens Transport (and presumably Prime, since she works for them, heh)
The company will want a good, compliant 30 days before they will clear you for longer periods. At Stevens, after I was first forced into the facehugger, they made me return after 30 days and verified compliance. Now I come back every 90 days, which is fine, since I have to return every 90 days anyhow for quarterly reviews.
Fortunately, I'm ex-military. I sleep fine with or without the thing. If I do happen to wake up in the middle of the night and notice that I have more than 4 hours usage, I take it off. I have a suspicion that using the thing might create a dependency, since it is making it easier to breathe, my lungs work less, and might be getting weaker. Getting a non-quack sleep study done by an outside doctor is on my list of things to do. Hopefully soon.
Ok sorry to change subject here but still about cpap. I'm trying to get into a school for cdl I've had a cpap for over two years I use it daily. Will this cause problem with the physical etc? Also if you don't like the full mask look into the nasel pillow ( http://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-pillow-cpap-mask.php this was just a website to show what it looks like) I like this one if you roll or move the mask doesn't slide off your face. Again sorry and thanks
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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.
Ok sorry to change subject here but still about cpap. I'm trying to get into a school for cdl I've had a cpap for over two years I use it daily. Will this cause problem with the physical etc? Also if you don't like the full mask look into the nasel pillow ( http://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-pillow-cpap-mask.php this was just a website to show what it looks like) I like this one if you roll or move the mask doesn't slide off your face. Again sorry and thanks
If you have a CPAP and use it daily, you will be fine, BUT the machine must record your usage, and the company needs to be able to access that data to verify it. You may have to buy a new CPAP machine if your machine does not record data, OR if the company can't read the data it generates.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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.
Mine reads on a chip and the machine itself. I was worried my dad been driving truck for 26 years and snores like a diesel truck running a few short cylinder. But he won't get check out because he afraid it will end his driving career. That what had me worried
Ok sorry to change subject here but still about cpap. I'm trying to get into a school for cdl I've had a cpap for over two years I use it daily. Will this cause problem with the physical etc? Also if you don't like the full mask look into the nasel pillow ( http://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-pillow-cpap-mask.php this was just a website to show what it looks like) I like this one if you roll or move the mask doesn't slide off your face. Again sorry and thanks
If you have a CPAP and use it daily, you will be fine, BUT the machine must record your usage, and the company needs to be able to access that data to verify it. You may have to buy a new CPAP machine if your machine does not record data, OR if the company can't read the data it generates.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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.
It won't end it. Like I said before...you might have to buy a new machine that transmits the info to the company via a modem. That way you don't need to go to a terminal every month.
My company pays for the machines up front and you pay them back weekly for like $25-$50.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Mine plugs into a modem. I just never done it before I guess when it comes time I'll have to learn how to do it lol.
It won't end it. Like I said before...you might have to buy a new machine that transmits the info to the company via a modem. That way you don't need to go to a terminal every month.
My company pays for the machines up front and you pay them back weekly for like $25-$50.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Mine reads on a chip and the machine itself. I was worried my dad been driving truck for 26 years and snores like a diesel truck running a few short cylinder. But he won't get check out because he afraid it will end his driving career. That what had me worried
A lot of the old-timers feel like this.
The real problem comes in, if he actually DOES SUFFER from OSA. If that's the case, he isn't getting restful sleep and is likely driving FATIGUED.
Much as we like to discuss the whole "sleep apnea testing is a scam" thing - the reality is that people who legitimately suffer from it, lead much more healthier/happier lives once it is diagnosed and with a CPAP. We've heard stores from drivers here, that their lives had improved drastically, simply by actually getting restful sleep every night.
One of my oldest friends snored like a freight train, and had OSA SO BAD - he went into the hospital thinking he had pneumonia, and they found his heart was stopping so many times over the course of the night, they PUT IN A PACEMAKER because they were concerned HE MIGHT DIE.
So again - while we resent the BMI/arbitrary triggers some companies use to make drivers take sleep studies and buy expensive machines (where it's rare for a driver to NOT be found with OSA - and have the company deduct the cost of the sleep study and CPAP from their check) - since many diagnosed OSA sufferers DO NOT FALL UNDER THE BMI/NECK GUIDELINES (yes, skinny pencil neck people have OSA too).
So - having OSA will not disqualify you from driving. Having diagnosed OSA on your record, and not using a CPAP in an "in compliance" fashion - WILL.
Rick
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I Agree With Rick here. OSS leads to a lot of bad health issues. Heart disease being the most serious. Plus there is the fact that people with it do not get restful sleep. So they are tired and may fall asleep at the wheel.
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I have just got a CPAP machine back in August.Not gonna lie it took a good long while to get use to it lol.I use it 4+ hours every night now but not quite up to the 70% usage for DOT.If I go and get my physical do e will they be able to qualify me medically for a month or two?I start training January 19th and this is the only thing in the way for me to begin and only thing I'm worried about lol.If someone can just answer or point me to a link that I have not been on here yet that would be awesome!Thank you for reading this and Merry Christmas!
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.