Clearing the air on CPAP

I think you're missing the point, he's not talking about lying. He's talking about refusing medical advice and then going to a different doctor that may give advice that falls within the regulations. Kind of like how I didn't like the advice of my PCP, so I stopped going them and found a new PCP.

 

First off I don't live my life worrying about accidents. I know for a fact I don't have sleep apnea. Bears wish they slept as well as I do. I believe that there are many doctors out there who get kick backs and I don't want my life ruined by falling victim to one. Being forced to wear a mask every time I sleep will ruin my quality of sleep. So how will I care more if I get in a wreck?

There is a simple answer when dealing with a lawyer, police officer or investigator, "I don't recall". Which is what I would say no matter what I did.

 

DOT Physical: What if I scheduled and paid for a 6 minute appointment with you immediatly prior to scheduled DOT physical and duscussed whether or not you would require a sleep study for me to get my card. If you say yes, I cancel the DOT physical and move on to the next one. Nothing gets entered into the database. It cost me an extra $75 buck but would avoid differing medical opinions. not everyone with a CDL drives OTR 11 hours a day. For example a school bus driver who works 7-10 and 3 to 5. So what if he/she likes to take a nap?

 

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea years ago.
I use a CPAP religiously, to the point that I don't nap without it. Yes, it is a little irritating that because I honesty answered the sleep apnea question my medical card expires faster than someone who lies.....but...oh well. I am still not going to lie. And Would not even think about giving up the CPAP.

If you think that the Doctor is getting a kickback from the equipment provider, there are ethics review boards to report that type of behavior to.

But my main point. If you meet the criteria, or think that you might have sleep apnea, put on your big girl panties and have the sleep study done. IT DOES NOT HURT. I promise.

There are treatment options other than a CPAP, but if you need one... again breakout the big girl panties. The CPAP does take a little getting used to but you can do it, your a big boy I know you can.

Serious advise to those who have trouble adjusting. Keep working with your equipment provider. There are soooooo many mask options. Don't hesitate to try different styles.

 

One bad thing I found...I prefer to use the nasal mask, but it's a pain when dealing with a nasty head cold...

i just visited my ENT/sleep specialist and they went over my 1st month of data, and received a certificate of compliance good for 1 year. , wondering how that will affect my next DOT physical, the clinic that performed me last one gave me a 3 month card, but I will be changing jobs within the next couple of weeks.

 

Ok quick ? I know you are not my dr but, I have mild sleep apnea stop 9 times an hour and one dot dr said I need a Cpap, another dr said nothing my sleep dr said sleep on my side and loose weight and all is good he knew I drive OTR. You seem like you know what u r talking about do you think I need CPAP, I do have one but I can't sleep with it on but still trying.

 

Hello,

My fiancé is a trucker with sleep apnea and he does use a CPAP machine. He has to go get his yearly DOT physical and I am extremely worried because he does not use his CPAP as much as he is supposed to. His shifts require that he is up and down and so he does not get 4 straight hours of sleep every night at all. Does anyone know, if he is non compliant can he get a 30 day card to come into compliance or what may happen??

 

That's the thing I don't feel tired during the day. I have a big neck and higher bmi so I had to do a sleep study, it turns out I stop breathing 9 times an hour. I now have a cpap but not getting 70% use so I got a 30 day med card. I am worried that if I show improvement but not at 70% they won't renew it. There are mornings that I wake up and don't remember taking the mask off.

 

I usually try to get the minimum 4hrs use, usually around 5-6 hours, but even then my ENT specialist was showing me at 73% which was enough to get me a 1year card once I shown my doctor a letter of compliance from the specialist. The big problem I have with the whole CPAP issue is the dimbulbs at FMCSA that act as if it's going to be the holy grail of preventing wrecks without looking at the real-life crap that keeps drivers awake,,, idiots making a lot of noise in the lot(air horns, air driers popping of all the time), being hit by some idiot who can't back into or pull out of a spot, life worries(family, relationship, bills,etc), and too many of these medical examiners going ape over something that's not even law yet other than the "respiratory disorders".