New Driver and Sleep Apnea

I don't know the time frame, but make sure the CPAP machine has a feature to download data. DOT doctors will want to see that you use it as supposed to and that it's helping you.

 

Make sure your having this sleep study done at a reputable clinic. I have heard that a lot of the sleep labs around the US have vested interests in the CPAP equipment business. This whole Sleep Apnea-CPAP thing with some Medical Examiners is a boondoggle. Once they get their hooks in you they don't let go!

 

None if you play the game as they want, if you try to buck the game and try to get any reasoning out of the mess, you will lose.

So I've got two docs involved with my last my DOT physical tell me two different things, and a PA who did the actual examine telling me a completely different thing about how I am supposed to have the data given to them to prove I am using the machine. The docs say 3 months back is Ok with them but the PA demands to see one full year and he is the one signing off on my physical, the docs are just "in charge of him". The PA had a running argument with my PCP and the sleep doctor about my treatment and was read the riot act about how he questioned my treatment. Now as I now have the freedom to go to another clinic, I am getting this done in December, four months ahead of time in order to avoid the crap. By the way, the PA mentioned that I need to update my machine because he will need more data in the future, I refuse to get a new machine that tells all, I have three of the same ones so why bother.

Time Frame? I would do this at least three months before you get into school, get used to the system, try out a mask or two to find what's more to your liking and also provide the proof they need.

In truth it is a life saver for many, but not those who are driving on the road among us, I do not believe that this is really needed at the draconian level as they claim because there has yet to be a solid study or proof that it is needed as is the entire FMCSA registered doctor program, any physician should be able to sign off on a DOT physical without further schooling.

 

Make sure any machine has a SD Card slot to download the data too.

 

Loose weight and don't voluntarily do anything! If your forced your forced but let it come to that. Also, your insurance company isn't going to pay for a sleep study if you choose to take it, it takes a doctor saying your REQUIRE one for them to pay. And you don't want it to come to that level.

Low carb, loose weight fast, screw the kickback scam. I lost over 100lbs in under a year and was the best thing I ever did.

 

Most of them have SIM cards now and update over cellular connections.

 

What is driving the trucking carriers towards wanting all their drivers to get tested?

There is a local clinic here that has a sign on the road that advertises sleep studies. They have had this sign up for a couple years. Just yesterday I noticed they removed the sign and now have a DOT physicals here sign up.

I definitely wouldn't go to this place. Looks like they are really making there money off selling the machines.

 

To add to their claim of the "driver shortage". If it were about safety, all motorist would be required by law. But there is no law, is there?