Sleep Apnea Test
Topic 3291 | Page 2
Guys, a lot of these companies pay for it for you and deduct it from your paychecks in small payments until you pay them back.
You won't even notice it. This is not something that will drain your bank account overnight.
My recruiter says it's rare for them to send someone for a sleep study.
There have been allegations that a major nationwide clinic that many trucking companies use, are pushing sleep apnea testing as a profit center in their business. A friend of mine that drives for a private carrier was sent to a local location of this clinic and he was told that he had to get a sleep study done. When he went back to his company office and gave the safety guy the results, the safety guy blew a gasket and said that the last 5 or 6 drivers that were sent there were told that they had to get a sleep study. The company sent my friend to another clinic that is locally owned and nothing was said about a sleep study.
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.
The company is going to hire me anyway, no test. They said "don't worry about it, he(the Dr) does that a lot".
Its a good job, great pay and benefits. Pay is base+ mileage+some other stuff. Its a dedicated run , home every other night, even during training. With the base pay you still get paid if you're stuck sitting somewhere due to weather or mechanical stuff etc. Even if the route is cancelled and you don't even leave the terminal you at least get the base pay.
I'm excited. New drivers just don't get these kinds of jobs.
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.
Dedicated Run:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
We have an article written by the owner of a truck driving school in Illinois called The Sleep Apnea Witch Hunt. Pretty interesting.
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.
I have 'apnea and a CPAP machine ... do I really have to shell out $3,100+ for another sleep study just for the DOT test ?!
For any one who needs CPAP ... these guys have reasonable prices ... CPAP Machines
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.
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
I have an appointment to see my primary care Dr in 2 weeks. They're not familiar with home testing. I called the DOT doctor's office and they've never heard of home testing and will only accept a sleep clinic assessment which is out of the question.
I'm still waiting to hear from the company that hired me but it looks like I'm going to be out of a job.
I wish I knew about this before I went to CDL school.
I'm sorry to read this, but I just signed up with a company (I'm in CDL training now) that did not require students to perform a sleep apnea test. There were some pretty big guys that were in orientation as well. I honestly believe that its being sought out the wrong way in the industry. I know guys who were in the military with me who were in BMI shape and regular shape that had sleep apnea. I think its a rachet to make someone take the test without having any symptoms to justify one. Body weight is not a justifiable determination IMHO.
When I was deciding what company to sign on with, one company who has their own doctors on site and administers the sleep apnea test regularly made the decision for me to sign with another company. They would give you the test (@ $600) and make you pay for it out of your check. Then if you were lucky enough to win the cpap machine, that wold also be taken out of your check @ $2100. You would almost be working for nothing as all of their advances and things that you "had to pay for" would be taken out of your check. They also take your pay for your TWIC and Passport admin fees.
Good luck, I hope that your PCM can determine that you dont have sleep apnea.
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.
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.
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.
Dm:
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.TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
I have 'apnea and a CPAP machine ... do I really have to shell out $3,100+ for another sleep study just for the DOT test ?!
No. If you've already been diagnosed and you have the machine you should be good to go. The only concern I can think of is whether or not the machine has the capability of remote monitoring. I believe at least some companies require that they can monitor the usage of the machine remotely. But from what we've heard from people that have come into the industry with CPAP machines they were able to be cleared by their doctor and continue using the machine they had. But of course you'll have to verify this with any company you apply with.
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.
FYI, if you have a 17", neck you will come under the microscope, and if you answer the questions wrong ( do you fall asleep watching movies, ect) you will be trapped. do your online search, "sleep apnea assoc" ect and you'll find out that while a high BMI is a possibility, a skinny teenage female can have it to. It can be a serious health problem, but if you follow the $$$$, half the population would be wearing a face mask every night
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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DOT Physical Sleep Apnea
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Have you tried any other companies? I do not know for certain but back when I was training at cr england for my cdl we had a lot of big guys there and I never heard anything ever mentioned about them having trouble covering a sleep apnea test. I am sure there are places that will help you pay for it so you can drive.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.