Question on DOT physical

I use a Bi Pap machine for the last three years. I agree with 112. After years of getting poor sleep i was checked for a unrelated reason. Over time i had just accepted the way my sleep had worsened.the doctor said "im gonna give you your life back" I thought ya ok. I couldnt believe how good I slept with the mask on. The doctor knew i was a driver so i had to take a "stay awake test" the same place i took my "sleep test". There is a card in the back of my machine that a med review officer or somebody like that could read to see that im using it but i gotta say why wouldnt I. Like i said i feel so much better when i use it, theres only been a handful of times when im away from home and i regret not having it every time.

This driver was telling me about this new reg. but it sounds now like it was bad info..

I havent used my CDL for a year now because i got into point trouble (lesson learned there). As soon as march roles around my points will be off my record and im looking for a driving job. i had 3 to 4 years of tractor trailer experience (that time) then 12 months off now and counting. I hope my experience will still be considered current.

 

Hey 112

how do you power your breathing machine in the sleeper ? What size inverter do you use ? Thnks for the info....

 

i have a res-med machine and bought their 12volt adapter that was 80 bucks and plug it in the lighter but you cant use the humidifier unless you get a converter(400 watt should do)

 

If you are on a BiPap you are not supposed to get a 2 year medical card. Your sleep apnea treatment and compliance with BiPap use is supposed to be checked annually.

There are a whole host of issues around dealing with a CPAP - or BiPap in a truck sleeper.. check out... http://www.awake.truckersforacause.com/

It's a support group for truckers with sleep apnea.... all volunteer.. truckers helping other truckers...

 

I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS:
How do companies view drivers that have sleep apnea? Do they frown upon you and give you the run around? Is it a problem that they may need to provide special provisions to the trucks (APU's Inverters ect.). How do the insurance company look at it as far as insuring you. Thanks to all drivers that reply . . .

 

Hello everyone. This is FYI. I hope it helps a few. I had bypass surgery in 02. Healed up just great and felt better ever since. Had my own contracting business in home remodeling for over 10yrs. Worked for a construction co. in Carson City Nv. after passing their physical. Never ever lied to anyone about the cardio problems in the past. As we all know the housing market took a dump in the last few years and has affected almost all of us with morgages, so I'm getting back to OTR after being out over 30yrs. I passed my physical for my CDL in Tucson with flying colors. So now I get to oreintation and take their physical. This Vetanairian,Opps, I mean Doctor looks at my history and says I need a stress and EKG test. I can't beleive it. Ok, I know the company has to be careful and I respect that, so I go back to my doctor and get the test done on short notice. I also went to DMV for my Hazmat endorsement the same day and found out that Waco put a restriction on my CDL. Just so you know, Only the DOT physician has that right. This guy never was or is authorized to put any restrictions on your license unless it obvious drugs/achohol. His opinion is only for the company that he is hired by and not the industry as a whole. So I called the powers to be and explained what I just found out and he said that their doctor never did that. I sais yes he did because his name is on the dmv printout as the party who resticted me. Ok, now i get a call from the main office to be ready to report back for a follow-up physical again but this time with a green light from my stress test. I have the right to consult an attorny if it affects any future employment. The reason i'm telling all of you about this is because so many new people go into these schools and training with amedical past that might affect their future goals. Of course the recruiters never tell you this up front. So FYI if you have had any history of lung, heart, diabetes,sleep disorders, and back problems,please,please get a test and release from your primary care doctor before you finish driving school. There were 4 other people besides myself that were sent home for these releases the same day..Cover your ##### and be prepared....Good luck and God bless. Merry Xmas to all.Rob

 

OK, update on stress test. I went back and got the test done.Passed with flying colors again. I fax the results to hm office and they in turn send it to the terminal
mgr. I was hoping to be on the road before Christmas but it looks like the 28th now. So now I have to report on Mon am to do another physical. If he jerks me around again I'll just give up on these guys and try with someone else. I could have reported today but I would have been stuck at the hotel for 4 days,no fun. At least I can spend Christmas with my wife,thank God. By the way, did I mention the Company is Werner !! I really want to work for these guys so wish me luck. Have a safe holiday everyone and may your next year be the best yet,God bless..Rob.

 

I've never heard of any problems due to sleep apnea . Many companies have drivers test for it . They feel more comfortable with someone that has been tested and is getting proper rest with a CPAP machine than dealing with someone untested that may not be getting adequate rest .

 

Big Owl

How do companies view drivers that have sleep apnea? Do they frown upon you and give you the run around?

It depends on the company. Some have sleep apnea programs that handle and pay for your sleep apnea testing and treatment (Schneider, JB Hunt, Prime and MS-Swift for example) Some will give you a major run around.

In 2007 I did a little experiment. Applied to 12 companies. The first 6 I did not tell I had sleep apnea. Got job offers from all 6. The other 6 I asked about how to power my CPAP etc. Only got offers from 2 of those. When I called the 4 that did not make job offers explaining that they would be getting an EEOC (Equal Employment Oportunity Commission) complaint for discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act I got 3 job offers. The last place I wouldn't work at anyway.


Is it a problem that they may need to provide special provisions to the trucks (APU's Inverters ect.).

YES - APU may not be required. But if you need an invertor that might be a "reasonable accomodation". Some companies with sleep apnea programs will even provide the invertor but the driver may have to pay for it. Depends on the company.

Remember California does not allow idling even to power a CPAP so if you will be dispatched into a no-idle state/area you may need to discuss with your company about an APU.

How do the insurance company look at it as far as insuring you.

Do you mean liability insurance of medical insurance. On the liability - my information is that your insurance carrier should never know that you have sleep apnea. It is confidential medical information protected by HIPPA. The information I have been given is that liability insurers should not be denying coverage due to sleep apnea. But, the one company that would not hire me cited their insurance carrier would not insure a driver with sleep apnea... it probably was a BS answer....


Thanks to all drivers that reply . . .

 

Rick G

Sorry but I need to disagree with your earlier post.

FMCSA said BMI alone would not mandate sleep apnea testing . Questions by the doctor will determine whether sleep apnea is a problem and testing should be required .

The new sleep apnea guidelines are now up on the FMCSA - MRB site..

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/TOPICS/mep/report/Sleep-MEP-Panel-Recommendations-508.pdf

They include requiring a sleep study for all drivers with a BMI greater than 33. All drivers who score high risk on a Berlin questionaire ( questions about do you snore etc.. copy in the guidelines) and finally based on a clinical examination by the medical examiner.

The last public quote I saw from FMCSA was that the guidelines are not regulataions only reccomendations from the MRB. This was in an editorial in an on-line magazine for sleep doctors.

The problem is that many DOT medical examiners are already applying the new guidelines when doing DOT physicals.

We seem to have conflicting information so I want to check this out.

Thanks

Bob Stanton
(just a truck driver with sleep apnea)