CPAP users and the DOT physical

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DocWatson, Sep 2, 2014.

  1. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Couldn't locate this question by searching.

    Has anyone ever had their CPAP results used in one DOT physical and not the next?

    The reason I ask is last year the DOT physical doctor wanted 90 days of usage printed out. I had 30 days worth and she accepted it. However she was making a thing of me having below the 7 hours hours average nightly usage. Honestly I don't need 7+ hours of sleep a night. I'm sure my average usage is below that.

    This year when I get my DOT physical, in another state most likely as it will have to be, I don't know where to get the usage printout in this different state. And I really don't even want to have to get the printout.

    Is there a way to get a current DOT physical without bringing in a printout? Anyone have experience with this?
     
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  3. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Fmcsa only requires 4 hours a night
     
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  4. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    Do you really need the CPAP machine or was it forced on you by the company doctor ?
     
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  5. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Irrelevant....since the op has now been diagnosed with sleep apnea he must now comply...
     
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  6. RebelYeller5

    RebelYeller5 Light Load Member

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    As if there weren't enough incentives to lose weight....weight loss almost ALWAYS clears up the Apnea and you can kiss that CPAP crap good-bye. Weight Loss worked for a couple of people I know, it could work for you.....
     
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  7. Wild Murphy

    Wild Murphy HAPPY TRUCK DRIVER

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    In my experience, I always have to have a complete, current, 30 day print out of my CPap usage. This usage must comply with 2 regulations. I must have at least a 4 hour average usage per night and I must have used the CPap for 70% of the month. Also, if you last sleep study is over 2 years old, they can make you have a current sleep study to ensure that your setting is still correct. Since I have sleep apnea, I am only given a 1 year medical card so I have to make sure ahead of time that I will be compliant and have my print outs. I don't see any way around this and doctors are starting to cover their butts. My best advice is to get used to using it and keeping track of your usage. Good luck to you.
    ** DISCLAIMER** Btw, since I have not driven a truck very long, my opinion is not qualified.
     
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  8. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Actually..this is a myth....

    the doctor that did my sleep study said it is an even ratio of overweight and not that test positive for sleep apnea. He said he has had people well over 400 lbs test negative. He said that they are finding that weight gain is a side effect of having sleep apnea...i have had it for a long time. It started long before i gained weight. My wife was told to have sleep study but her results were negative.

    Her friend who is very skinny tested positive....

    in the end you must understand that this is a health issue...
     
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  9. Wild Murphy

    Wild Murphy HAPPY TRUCK DRIVER

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    I agree. I have had sleep apnea since age 16, 6'2, 170 lbs, not an ounce of fat, athletic with good lung capacity, all through my twenties and most of my thirties, had a lot of weight gain in last 5 year's, but always had sleep apnea. Most doctors say weight loss might help some but your not going to lose many inches on your neck. Very hard to reverse. My airway collapses when I breathe, a cpap is the only fix for my condition.
     
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  10. sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    I have been fighting the CPAP machine for years now. Sleep better with out it. Have at times set a alarm for five hours , just to take the darn thing off. They want four hours a night. Have had test showing I don't have it, but once they say you have it , it takes a act of congress to get off. And yes lost 100 lbs. Had one test I past , all but 10 sec that my blood ox level fell to a level that of a dead person . Stair stepped down then stepped back up after 10 sec. If I had stopped breathing ox level should ramped down then ramped back up once I started back. Clearly a connection issue at the sensor . But no go! Hope no one else has the side effects I have had. Pressurizing the tummy. Can you say acid shooting out your nose and mouth. Drying out sinuses , with causes them to run like crazy!
     
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  11. RebelYeller5

    RebelYeller5 Light Load Member

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    You're right, there's an even distribution....and since most of America is considered "fat", it's just coincidental. I'm wondering whether CPAP keeps a person from having out-of-body experiences that they were meant to have. After all, you're technically dead when you have an episode, so during this period, you may experience "crossing to the other side" for a minute or so. You may travel toward the light, see dead relatives, maybe you could even be standing in heaven? Not having it myself it's difficult to relate to. Maybe you could stop CPAP and just train yourself to turn away from the light....hehe.
     
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