Sleep Apnea
Topic 7885 | Page 1
Andre,
I can completely relate!!
You do however, state that you have taken and passed the DOT physical. That indicates that you can indeed continue with schooling and I assume you now have your CDL permit.
I was in a similar situation, except that I was flagged for sleep study at my DOT physical. My DOT examiner was very confused about the direction she was getting from the DOT/FMCSA about the sleep apnea/CPAP issues. I was diagnosed by the sleep study with a mild case of apnea, far below the threshold which the DOT is concerned with (FAR BELOW). She still insisted that Federal regulations state that I must start CPAP treatment in order to get my first 30 day FedMed (this is very untrue and there are NO Federal laws or regs stating such). I gave her proof that she could not accept. Side note: I made an official complaint with her organization. She no longer works there. Long story.
After receiving the diagnosis and subsequent "treatment" of virtually nothing (I was told to avoid sleeping in the supine position), the DOT examiner rejected this "treatment". All of this is happening just days before I needed my permit so that I could continue with schooling.
To make a long story short, the sleep doctors asked me to come back in for further discussion. In the end, they gave me the option of purchasing a CPAP, for which my insurance covered, though barely. I was told that technically, my mild case did not even qualify for CPAP therapy!!! At any rate, I took the treatment and began using the thing because the DOT examiner was not budging. I was running out of time, patience and money! I am now in compliance (as of yesterday) and have received another 30 day FedMed.
I start orientation on Monday at the company that ended up at the top of list from which to chose! I am insanely grateful for that! When I explained all of this to the recruiter, he simply said that I would have to wait to participate in the orientation until I was in compliance (the 30 day thing), otherwise, I would have started with them a couple of weeks ago. Also, the first thing that is scheduled for Monday, is yet another DOT physical, paid for by the company. Even though my current FedMed is now eligible to be upgraded, it doesn't matter. The physical I take on Monday will be the determining one. I hope that makes sense. In other words, I will just bring my sleep study results and my documented compliance along with me on Monday, and I expect a one year FedMed card at that time. In fact, I am hoping that the DOT examiner actually reads the results for what they are, and lets me off the hook with the CPAP machine.
Please keep in mind, I may be a bit of an anomaly because I truly don't need the machine. In my case, it has only hindered my ability to get a good night's rest (as I always have). I just "sucked it up" and took my lumps and got my CDL and a job. The rest, I'll worry about later. I do however see where CPAP therapy would make an enormous impact on one's quality of life, even if they are currently unaware of the problem they may be having. I want to make that point very, very clear. In fact, even if I can get the diagnosis / treatment under control, I will keep my machine and continue to try and get accustomed to it and perhaps even continue using it, at least from time to time. I just don't want to be strapped with proving compliance if I can get away with it. I know that seems odd, but I want to cut this short, rather than try to explain further.
So, to you and others in similar situations: Hang in there, do what you have to do in order to get from point A to point B. CPAP is not the end of the world. Be persistent and keep moving forward, despite the delay. It will pay off in the end.
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.
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.
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.
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.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.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I could not agree more. I was really bummed out when I got the first denial and then after I was told nO for the second time because of the apnea. Immediately after I got that second no I knew I needed to act fast and get a hold of my Dr office to get this going. All I can say is I'm a. Lucky guy. Having done the study been diagnosed and knowing.I would need a cpap she was willing to order an autopap for me so that I can get started with compliance.
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
I got denied at my first company I applied for because they wanted a sleep study. I applied at celadon and they of course suggested a sleep study, but the approved it. If I have symptoms of sleep apnea they'll supply me a cpap. (At a cost to me I'm sure, but I'll take that as opposed to a denial)
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.
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.
I could not agree more. I was really bummed out when I got the first denial and then after I was told nO for the second time because of the apnea. Immediately after I got that second no I knew I needed to act fast and get a hold of my Dr office to get this going. All I can say is I'm a. Lucky guy. Having done the study been diagnosed and knowing.I would need a cpap she was willing to order an autopap for me so that I can get started with compliance.
That's awesome! Mine is actually an APAP and is set at the lowest pressure, but will bump up to 15 cm. if / when needed. It's never gone over 5 cm yet, as far as I know. I need to have the card read on Friday and documented one last time before I head off to orientation. Frankly, if anything, it's helped my slight dog dander allergy at night because of the hepa filter. Yeah, the pooch sleeps on the bed with us.....
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
I got denied at my first company I applied for because they wanted a sleep study. I applied at celadon and they of course suggested a sleep study, but the approved it. If I have symptoms of sleep apnea they'll supply me a cpap. (At a cost to me I'm sure, but I'll take that as opposed to a denial)
Mr. Detour,
If I may; what triggered your sleep study in the first place? BMI? Neck size? Admitted symptoms?
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.
I got denied at my first company I applied for because they wanted a sleep study. I applied at celadon and they of course suggested a sleep study, but the approved it. If I have symptoms of sleep apnea they'll supply me a cpap. (At a cost to me I'm sure, but I'll take that as opposed to a denial)
Mr. Detour,
If I may; what triggered your sleep study in the first place? BMI? Neck size? Admitted symptoms?
All of those. And over sized tonsils. She gave me a 3 month med card. Said my BP would have got me a 1 year one, but she wanted to do a sleep study. Worst case scenario, I have sleep apnea and need a cpap , which may lower my BP. She then said "you may not have sleep apnea, you just have all the red flags, if you don't have it, we'll address you blood pressure" And let me tell you, there are guys here in a lot worse shape than me.
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.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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To everyone out there who may have or thinks they have sleep apnea I urge you to please be tested for it and do not put it off. I have applied to been accepted and started a private driving school. With that said I took and passed my DOT physical for school. Prior to starting school I did my research and realized I would be a prime candidate for a sleep study. With this info in hand I went ahead and did the study and awaiting the second portion where they titrate the cpap machine. I have since applied with two companies of which I was denied from both. One I can only assume because of the sleep apnea the second told me point blank it was because of the apnea. They advised me that when I was totally finished with the study and have 30 days of compliance to give them a call back. Knowing this I am somewhat dejected but hope to turn this into a positive for someone who also is in my shoes and dragging their feet with the idea of a study. Do not wait get it done your career may ride on it and that position you hoped you would get may not be available
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.
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