50 And DOT Medical
Topic 5966 | Page 1
I haven't heard how the new physicals are done....so if someone takes one....give up a heads up !!!
This is a real sore spot with me. This is not a DOT regulation but DOT doctors are acting like it is. I'm really tired of hearing how a sleep test can save your life if you have sleep apnea so why should this be such a big thing. The big thing is about $2000 for a test that is so open to fraud. If you are not overweight and smoke you don't have to be tested for sleep apnea but if you don't smoke and god forbid you are overweight then you have to be tested. The regulation says that a driver has no established history of respirator dysfunction. Doesn't say anything about sleep apnea. Companies can make it a requirement for employment but this should not be a qualification of a person getting a DOT medical card. I have no problem being tested when the company is paying for the sleep test but I do have a problem forking out that much money before I'm even employed and no insurance is not going to pay for it.
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.
I know my hubby and his partner both went for the health exams at same time. Hubby does not smoke nor does partner but they both chew. When asked questions hubby answer no to sleep problem, snoring ect. He is over weight but only 42 and got his 2yr card. Partner was not so smart and answered yes on some and now is on a machine. Partner is older and they measured his neck, they did not measure hubby's neck. Same building different doctor but partner went to hubby's doctor second time for a problem with test or something. He is still on machine I have heard when on it you are not taken off it.
From looking into this for me. I might skate by but if they measure my neck now I will not pass. My BMI is 37 which is OK from my reading and will be lower when I go in. Hope I can get neck down. We are actually looking into how to do this for hubby and I am thinking lipo suction would be easiest since he does not exercise do to driving. When I get with him he will be eating better than now. So that will help some. But it is bad for many driver are getting docked till they loose weight. I see it changing when driver shortage gets real bad.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
My BMI is over 35 and the DR. that did my DOT physical gave me a 2 year med card. Roehl made her downgrade it to a 6 month as it is their company requirement that anyone with a BMI higher than 35 have a sleep apnea test done which Roehl pays for. That being said, I pass the test but the DR. who read the results (had never examined me, talked to me, or knew of my medical history and was based in NJ) still recommened I get a CPAP machine. I have an appointment with my family DR on Tuesday to go over the results with her. If nothing else, I want to know what the test results mean, besides that I passed.
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.
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i am wondering if anyone has done the DOT medical that is 50 or over this past year. I have been told that the new testing for sleep apnea is mandatory if over a certain age. I just turned 50 and will be going for my CDL but am overweight and working on it. I have no sleep problems. But as I said I have been told they are putting you threw your paces on the DOT no matter what and making you do a sleep test.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.