sleep apnea

Yeah, I know that already. That's why I said "some".

 

Thank you, Scarecrow, for all the information. I have sleep apnea, too. What was the biggest shocker to me is that when I sleep unassisted by the CPAP, my blood oxygen level drops to 64% -- definitely not good.

I am certain that my apnea is weight related, but the doctor said that even if I lost the excess weight, he suspects I would still need the machine. He, too, said weight -- while often a contributing factor -- isn't the only one.

What I found interesting, though, is your explanation of central sleep apnea. This isn't my diagnosis, but I know that sometimes during the day... when I'm at work and really concentrating on something... I'll sometimes get a sudden sensation that I'm about to pass out. It's then that it hits me that I've "forgotten" to breathe... not drawn a breath for a while. I inhale and exhale a few times and I'm fine.

In fact, one of my co-workers once remarked to me, out of the blue, that I seem to stop breathing sometimes when I'm working. I used to feel like an idiot -- I mean, who "forgets" to breathe??? But maybe it's just an occasional glitch in my respiratory system.

Interesting information, Scarecrow! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

Ducks hate to say this I would consult with a second doctor before I drove a truck if I was you. Stop breathing either voluntarly or involuntarly is not a good thing if driving a truck. Especually if it's happening during heavy concentration which you'll do a good bit during driving a truck.

 

On another note of this, a person is likely to gain weight if they have apnea because they feel too tired to excersize or even do what may be considered totally normal before apnea.

My apnea is the most common type and existed since I weighed 178 lb. Unless you're about 5'6" tall or less, that's not very heavy at all imo. I'm older now and after 10yrs of bad sleep, I was finally diagnosed.

The machine I have cost nearly $1,000.00 and I don't call that cheap. That said, I've had it for years and they likely cost less today, plus I sleep so much better. I have no problem with the CPAP. Infact, I can't sleep well without it at all, regardless where I am or how tired.

 

The bed was painful? What do you have in your sleeper, a waterbed?

Mine was done on a comfy single bed in a soundproofed room and the result was so evident I can't complain. I feel so much better and have so much more energy now, I won't give up the machine unless/until I have the surgery done. My latest visit on the issue got me thinking. The doctor told me that today, the operation is so simple AND effective, I should honestly consider having it done.

 

Scarecrow is right. Sleep Apnea does not just happen to the overweight.

My father is extremely fit. He would sometimes wake up tired and did not know why.

He had surgery and was on a monitor in his room one night. The alerts went off when his pulse ox monitor registered too low. They then found out he was having sleep apnea. I never did find out which kind.

My father is extremely intelligent so if it was when his brain was forgetting to send the signals I sincerely doubt Tip's theory.

There are many people who may have altered mental status due to injuries or illness that can have developing issues.

I hope for some people's sake they never have such issues with these problems. They may not understand.

 

I've got it too but I guess I was lucky enough to be diagnosed after I retired. I just want to pass on a little bit of info that I learned from my last job. If you're in an accident and there's a death or large property damage you can be sure there will be an investigation and you don't want any medical problems that were not disclosed. I ended up being a driver trainer and we would receive accident reports from all over. I was floored when I would read the lawyers going after the drivers no matter who's fault the accident was.

One of the worse case I read about was a driver in WA that while exiting the interstate the pintal hook broke and the trailer flipping the trailer over spilling alot of the gasoline he was loaded with. The gasoline ran down the off ramp and onto the street and then this young girl drove right through the gasoline and it caught fire. She died. That case went on for years. They went over the driver, the company, and the trailer company looking for fault. I saw the case once on the net and I'll try to find it. But that driver had to go through all of that for something that wasn't his fault. The court records showed how they spent alot of time on pre-trip inspection and this driver did it right.

Be legal it's the only way.

 

I appreciate your concern, Vulcan... but I'm simply the forum's token four-wheeler. I've never driven a truck... never even rode in one.

I'm just here because I think you're in a tremendously interesting profession and I'm enjoying learning whatever I can about it. Truckers are surprisingly well-versed... and make some very intriguing observations on life and human nature. After spending my day in an office environment crunching numbers and hearing phones jangling, it's refreshing to come here and just kick back, relax, and think about what has been written.