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Sleep Apnea Study

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by oldasdirt, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. Apr 9, 2011 #1
    oldasdirt

    oldasdirt Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Apr 7, 2011
    0
    I have a question that I'm hoping someone can help answer. The question is this - can my husband's company require him to go to a sleep clinic to be tested for sleep apnea? The company will not pay for this - we are expected to pay for this! The company's doctor will not allow for in home testing or anything cheap. The paperwork says he must go to a sleep lab or clinic and that all paperwork must be sent to the doctor.

    Also can the company doctor's require him to get a sleep apnea machine if he does have it? The paperwork reads that a cpap machine is the first route the sleep clinic must take - what about oral appliances or surgery?

    We live in a small town and a sleep study will cost us thousands of dollars - is this really fair? Can a company really do this to a 20 plus year driver?

    Thanks
     
    oldasdirt, Apr 9, 2011
    oldasdirt, Apr 9, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 9, 2011 #2
    Scarecrow03

    Scarecrow03 Road Train Member

    3,411
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    Sep 27, 2006
    In Your Head
    0
    Welcome to the trucking world with CSA 2010.

    The answer to all your questions is yes they can.

    Also, CPAP is generally the most effective treatment.

    A lot of those oral devices do nothing to solve the problem.

    Your husband's airways are being closed off in his sleep.

    The only way to counteract that is with continuous positive air pressure (CPAP).

    The surgeries available have a very low success rate.

    Most people with sleep apnea (myself included) are over weight.

    A vast majority of the people in that category could rid themselves of sleep apnea by losing weight.

    However, as a former sleep study technologist, I've seen many people of a healthy height and weight still need CPAP.

    Some of these people tried the surgeries as well, but came back to CPAP when the surgeries failed them.


    Doctors have been working with the FMCSA for several years now trying to mandate sleep studies on overweight CDL holders.

    When I went for my last CDL physical by my own doctor this past October, I was told I'll need a sleep study before he'll be able to grant me another medial card in 2012 and there's nothing he can do about it.
     
    Scarecrow03, Apr 9, 2011
    Scarecrow03, Apr 9, 2011
    #2
  4. Apr 10, 2011 #3
    Mastertech

    Mastertech Staff Leader / Admin Staff Member Administrator

    117,210
    29,335
    Dec 28, 2007
    3rd Rock From The Sun.
    0
    I tried the cpap a few years ago and it sucked.....it was just not for me.
    I went the route of having the surgery, it was the best thing I ever done.
    Right from the start my snoring was gone and I didn't stop breathing anymore.
    My uncle had sleep apnea and had surgery that was successful as well. He drives for Tyson and they have made him get tested a few times over the years and he passes with flying colors every time.

    I think the key to successful surgery is having a surgeon that is very skilled and experienced.
     
    Mastertech, Apr 10, 2011
    Mastertech, Apr 10, 2011
    #3
    Scarecrow03 Thanks this.
  5. Apr 10, 2011 #4
    ras1166

    ras1166 Light Load Member

    109
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    Apr 21, 2008
    North Pole
    0
    I wondering why it is always truck drivers being singled out for this nonsense? I see overweight cops, firefighters and EMT's and all professions. They have to drive on public roads, aren't they as likely to have an accident as a truck driver? They can kill with a car just as easy as a truck can. It all seems like a money making scam if you ask me. I really believe if a driver is forced to take a sleep apnea test, he should have the option of applying for disability, cause thats what it is a disability, just like alcoholism. It is just never gonna end in this industry and I wouldn't sggest being a truck driver to anyone I know.
     
    ras1166, Apr 10, 2011
    ras1166, Apr 10, 2011
    #4
    oldasdirt Thanks this.
  7. Apr 10, 2011 #5
    Bumpy

    Bumpy Road Train Member

    6,536
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    Jan 27, 2009
    New Ulm,MN
    0
    That is,almost word for word,how I would have posted..:biggrin_2554: If the Medical folks and government are so worried about how well I sleep,why don't the powers that be;FIX the whole #### system? I think,as with almost everything in this thing called trucking,it has to do with $$,and truck drivers are easy targets..
     
    Bumpy, Apr 10, 2011
    Bumpy, Apr 10, 2011
    #5
    oldasdirt Thanks this.
  8. Apr 10, 2011 #6
    112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

    1,384
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    Nov 30, 2008
    pocono's, pa
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    its not just truck drivers ....it's pilots and railroad workers as well
     
    112racing, Apr 10, 2011
    112racing, Apr 10, 2011
    #6
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