Sleep Apnea (CPAP) Compliance
Topic 25494 | Page 1
Oops. I said
as a company driver however you wont have your company forcing you to get a sleep study done.
I meant to say as a L/O or O/O you wont have your company forcing you to get a sleep study. Company drivers can be sidelined until they get it done as we've seen a couple times happen here in the forum with Schneider.
I meant to say as a L/O or O/O you wont have your company forcing you to get a sleep study. Company drivers can be sidelined until they get it done as we've seen a couple times happen here in the forum with Schneider.
Rob, real timely info for me. I'm on medical leave right now from Schneider because of this issue. Had no luck with the nasal pillows and just received my new full face mask today by Fedex, the AirFit F30. So tonight will be the first test with that mask. Hope it works for me.
Hmmm Interesting thanks for post.....I only have 1 thing about all this stuff lol I still think they doc's etc are in cahoots to sell these dang things.... Yeah I am a bit overweight myself maybe by 30+ pounds @ 6 foot. But I have always been a husky- big boned type guy since I was in my 20s and had a 17 inch neck even when I was thinner. Under 200 pounds I look like a skeleton, with caved in cheeks etc
Just how I am built, and I have NO issues sleeping, only wake up middle of the night to pee, since I drink tons of coffee 24/7 So seems the doctors paint everyone with the same brush, by 35 bmi/17 inch necks hmmmm
Guess I will just have to see in the next 2+ weeks, when I finally get started (School tentative start on 5/20) waiting once again for WIOA for a local school now
WIOA:
WIOA - Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (aka WIA)
Formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the WIOA was established in 1998 to prepare youth, adults and dislocated workers for entry and reentry into the workforce. WIOA training funds are designed to serve laid-off individuals, older youth and adults who are in need of training to enter or reenter the labor market. A lot of truck drivers get funding for their CDL training through WIOA.
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.
Bruce says
Had no luck with the nasal pillows and just received my new full face mask today by Fedex, the AirFit F30. So tonight will be the first test with that mask. Hope it works for me.
I have the full face mask and it took a couple nights getting used to. I'd suggest using your machine while sitting on the couch watching tv to get more comfortable with it. It can be a bit tricky with facial hair but a guy i work with told me they sell foam seals that can go around the mask rather than the rubber. Ive got the rubber seals and for the most part mine hasn't leaked badly with a mustache and beard (nothing crazy), it just took a little time adjusting the straps to ensure a tight seal while not being too tight and straps not digging into my skin.
Steve says
I still think they doc's etc are in cahoots to sell these dang things....
they very well could be, but if you're sent for a sleep study and it says you have sleep apnea theres no disputing that. Regardless of how you feel about the issue you can either play ball or sit on the sidelines. Even if you obtain a medical card for school you will go to orientation for a trucking company and you will need to obtain another physical/medical card. Often times the company doctor is more strict and will force you to get a sleep study if you fit the risk factors. It's all about liability in the event you're involved in a serious accident.
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.
Yes Rob, I know, once I get to which ever company I drive for, I will find out 1 way or another, and just have to deal with what ever it shall be.
Spent too much time these past 4 months jumping thru hoops etc to get into this career to blow it now. I can adapt to things pretty easily when I have to lol.....Actually, I can't wait to get started on this new journey in life !! Having gained so much knowledge here over the years,
should actually benefit me greatly, from learning by those who are actually living the life 
Like the 4 months living in the jungle province in Philippines !! Loved it! Simple living at its finest, can't wait to be there full-time in a few years
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I meant to say as a L/O or O/O you wont have your company forcing you to get a sleep study. Company drivers can be sidelined until they get it done as we've seen a couple times happen here in the forum with Schneider.
Rob, real timely info for me. I'm on medical leave right now from Schneider because of this issue. Had no luck with the nasal pillows and just received my new full face mask today by Fedex, the AirFit F30. So tonight will be the first test with that mask. Hope it works for me.
That is what I am using. I wake up with my mouth so dry it feels like leather but at least I can breathe.
I think the sleep study companies see it as a guaranteed sale, and if they can justify it at all, you are getting a machine.
I told them I had sciatica so I toss and turn all night since I can’t sleep in any position longer than an hour, and once it starts to hurt, it doesn’t stop, so once I have slept on all sides, I toss and turn all night.
Sure enough my report focused on tossing and turning and moving my limbs.
The nice lady at PSS (Precision Sleep Solutions) told me to try and see if the mask would fit before I took it out of the package because once it's open they can't take it back. Now get this, I have the unopened package and the mask is not visible at all and the plastic package is so stiff that I can't even tell which side of the mask is in or out. How am I to tell if it fits or not? (and yes, Tractor Man, I did take it out of the cardboard box) I agree with Grumpy and Steve that this CPAP business is fishy to say the least. But regardless, I have to try and I'm trying to get my attitude needle pointing to the positive side of the negative side.
Tonight I'm going to make it work even if I have to stay up all night trying. Now that's determination!
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.
The nice lady at PSS (Precision Sleep Solutions) told me to try and see if the mask would fit before I took it out of the package because once it's open they can't take it back. Now get this, I have the unopened package and the mask is not visible at all and the plastic package is so stiff that I can't even tell which side of the mask is in or out. How am I to tell if it fits or not? (and yes, Tractor Man, I did take it out of the cardboard box) I agree with Grumpy and Steve that this CPAP business is fishy to say the least. But regardless, I have to try and I'm trying to get my attitude needle pointing to the positive side of the negative side.
Tonight I'm going to make it work even if I have to stay up all night trying. Now that's determination!
Yep, that is the company.
Is Misty the lady?
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.
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Im creating this thread to make it easier for people to find. In a different thread there was a question asked about Lease operators and owner operators needing to abide by CPAP usage compliance. They are still required to be in compliance with usage if they've been diagnosed with sleep apnea as a company driver however you wont have your company forcing you to get a sleep study done. The DOT doctor will likely still send you for a sleep study if you have certain factors including but not limited to a BMI over 35, neck circumference 17 inches or more in men, 16 in women, high blood pressure and being age 60 or older. When it comes to using your CPAP machine to be DOT compliant you're required to use it a minimum of 4 hours per night, 70% of the time (21/30 days). If you are operating a CMV and aren't compliant you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter due to driver fatigue in the event of a fatal accident. I have a resmed air sense 10 CPAP machine. My insurance company has me renting the machine for $150 a month after 10 months I own it for a total cost of $1500. I downloaded the app that allows me to see the same report the DOT doctor will see when I go in for my yearly renewal. I started treatment mid December of last year. Here is what they will see.
In most cases sleep apnea isn't permanent. You can overcome sleep apnea simply by losing weight. If anybody has questions about the report above or sleep apnea questions in general I'll do my best to answer them.
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
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:
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated