Able to get CDL with Sleep Apnea ????

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by jbiggs24, Jul 15, 2009.

  1. jbiggs24

    jbiggs24 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 5, 2009
    Detroit,MI
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    Thank you everyone for all the responses. It is appreciated and helps me out alot.
    I figured there had to be a way to drive with sleep apnea cause I could not believe that there would be not one driver out their with that problem when it is so common.
     
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  3. Yogi4

    Yogi4 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 9, 2009
    Carmichaels, Pa
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    jbiggs, I was told in another thread that a cpap machine wouldn't be a problem... but I would need to have a truck that has an inverter.
     
  4. 112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    pocono's, pa
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    i have a resmed it will work off thee lighter socket with the resmed adapter but only without the humidifier if you use the humidifier then you need an inverter

    the puritan bennet sandman models will work but the humidifier will not be heated and plugs in the lighter socket and only requires a 5 amp fuse ,,no inverter needed can be had for less than 400 with 12volt adapter
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2009
  5. RobertSmith

    RobertSmith Medium Load Member

    I also have this apnea, been hesitant to go get the sleep test done. Now the VA finally has me in there system I think im gonna go get the test done. What do I need to do with them to make sure I am covered when i get my DOT physical.
     
  6. RUFF

    RUFF Light Load Member

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    Feb 20, 2010
    elwood in
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    as i stated other thread been using and it does wonders phillips resprionics is what i use. in plain english it shows me everything i need to know. if you buy make sure you get an auto adjusting machine. I also have a fisher and paktel auto adj machine. For this one you need to be a rocket sceintist.

    P.S if my spelling is off I apoligize my last 15 years I worked at att and was required to abreviate everything. A typical note looked like this,

    cstmr sd wd py 240 n 6/10 also cmplt bout prev rep naprpte cmmts
    customer said will pay 240 on 6/10 also complained about previous representitive inapproprite comments
     
  7. sherd

    sherd Light Load Member

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    Jun 29, 2010
    Wilmington, NC
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    I have sleep apnea and got my 1st machine in June. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I don't have the afternoon sleepioness anymore and I have a lot more energy throughout the day.

    Part of the reason you have to show you actually use it 4 hours a night is for insurance. My machine came with a memory card that can be sent in to the insurance companies. I don't know which insurance companies require the memory card readings. My Med equip supplier said medicaid required it. My insurance doesn't.

    I don't know how the trucking industry addresses this. I got notified this afternoon that I will have my DOT physical Monday a.m. I didn't have time to get a letter from the doc saying my apnea is being treated, so I got a copy of the orders from the med supply co. I'll take that and the machine with me to the physical and see what they say.

    For those trying to figure what sleep apnea is, it is a breathing obstruction that occurs while sleeping. You literally quit breathing. Mild apnea is having up to 10 episodes of non-breathing for at least 10 seconds per hr. Severe is around 25 per hr.

    A normal person goes to sleep enters REM state and wakes in the morning. An apnea person goes to sleep and the body spends most of the night trying to keep you from dieing from lack of air. A cpap machines forces pressurized air into you so that your body will rest.

    Overwight is a common cause of apnea, but does not gaurantee it. I had sleep apnea at 180lb and 6'3". Many overweight people have no issues with apnea.

    Well enough rambling, its past time to hook myself up to my machine and get some sleep.

    Sherd
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
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    I've had sleep apnea over 20 years and was in shape when I first had it. A thin person can have excess tissue in their throat too. Loud snoring is a give away.

    The new rules coming is if diagnosed in a sleep study, your doctor has to letter certify you are stable after one month on the CPAP.
    If you haven't had a sleep study yet, there is no medical proof you have it. So you don't have to answer yes on the physical if you just think you have it. Have the sleep study done after you get your medical card or renew it. That gives you extra time.

    Another rule is if you have the surgery over the getting the CPAP, the doctor has to letter certify you stable after 3 months after the surgery.

    I had my done and they said I was the worst case they seen. I had 47 episodes in one hour. I can't use the CPAP yet as I been fighting pnuemonia for three weeks now. The forced air makes me cough more.

    I got the ResMed Breeze 2 also. I'm pissed after I got the bill for $2100 and seen the same exact machine on CPAP.com for $676. American Home Patient ripped me off. The humidifier and supplies they doubled the price too on top of that. The place that did my sleep study lied too about the price. I ended up paying them an extra $370. They billed the insurance company $3100 to look at me 2 nights. Totally ridiculous.

    This sleep apnea is a new thing and certain doctors/ medical suppliers are taking advantage of innocent patients that don't know better. CPAP.com is a good gauge on prices.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2010
  9. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
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    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
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    I just slept with the CPAP for the 1st time. I used it about 4 hours and feel better than a 8 hours sleep without it. Amazing. Maybe all this $$$ is worth it.

    I thought I had the Breeze II. I have the Escape II.
     
  10. sherd

    sherd Light Load Member

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    Jun 29, 2010
    Wilmington, NC
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    I have speep apnea and began treatment last May. I went for my 1st DOT physical this morning. I marked the box for sleep disorders. I showed the Dr. a copy of my cpap orders. She asked a couple of diagnostic questions. Then she told me I would get a 2yr medical card which I have in my possesion now. The long form notes I have no symptoms when being treated with cpap.

    sherd
     
  11. truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

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    Nov 29, 2008
    Batavia, IL
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    Sherd... just so you know the DOT examiner screwed up. They were only supposed to give you a one year card.

    The medical examiner was supposed to also review a copy of the data downloaded from your CPAP to ensure you maintain at least 4 hours on pressure 70% of the nights (AKA your compliance data).

    The guidelines the doctors are supposed to be using are up on the FMCSA medical review board site.. but... the because sleep apnea is somewhat new many medical examiners know less than most truck drivers.
     
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