sleep apnea/overweight

Discussion in 'Prime' started by NewtruckerDan, Nov 21, 2012.

  1. NewtruckerDan

    NewtruckerDan Bobtail Member

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    thanks everyone Iron especially all my worries are put to rest. I deff can afford a 150$ test if im required too. Not to worried about actually having it, pretty sure I don't I sleep fine rarely wake up in the middle of the night ever, just didn't want to be sent home because I couldn't afford some test. Thanks again.
     
    Dinomite Thanks this.
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  3. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    I agree 100% MsJamie. I have used a cpap/apap since this past August. One night I stayed up all night so the next evening I fell asleep before I had a chance to put on the cpap. That following morning after I passed out w/o using the cpap was miserable!
    Not using the cpap once you get used to getting rest will make your next day crappy as can be. Complete misery. These machines will not only save your life if you have sleep apnea but the quality of your life will improve to a level you never thought possible. No more crankiness (even if you didn't think you were that cranky before...it changes things). No more daytime sleepiness. MOre energy. It will help you lose weight - believe it. After changing your diet, sleep is #2 in losing weight. Building lean muscle is #3 followed by cardio #4. Sleep is so important. You will be alert, cognizant and more into everything.

    Take it seriously. It is genetic so it is not a condition completely dependent on weight. Weight is more like an aggravating factor rather than a primary one.

    Ms. Jamie, I bought my machine, an older Respironics with heated humidifier, C-flex, etc. for $200 off Craigslist. Technically it is illegal to sell them without the buyer having a prescription but if they don't ask, no need to tell. Although not advisable by me, you can set your own pressure so it matches whatever you were prescribed. Doesn't need a doctor to that even though it is what they want. Let me know if you have any questions.
     
  4. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    That's part of what you get at the Prime terminal when they prescribe a sleep test, and you have it. A years follow-up care as part of the price. Now before you go spending money, understand that if you come into orientation with sleep apnea, you'll have to have a recent sleep test, proof of compliant usage, AND a letter from your doctor describing your care, prognosis, etc. A $200 sleep machine and your say-so will get you sent home until you have all of that at your cost. You're much better off coming into orientation with no knowledge of your status - and taking a sleep test at the terminal if necessary.
     
    DocWatson Thanks this.
  5. southerndude

    southerndude Light Load Member

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    The selling of cpap machines is a huge nationwide scam. The cost of the sleep study and then the machine run into many thousands of dollars. Remember, the person running the sleep study and the sleep study clinic IS NOT A DOCTOR. All they've done is taken certain tests to qualify them to sell cpap machines and run the study. That is it.

    Read some of these comments:

    http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/p651023/Is-my-OSAsleep-apnea-diagnosis-a-scam.html

    My personal experience with the cpap industry was that it was recommended that I have a sleep study which I did. IMMEDIATELY after having it done, I asked the tech to tell me how I did and she told me I have no problem with sleep at all. She even printed out for me the data of my study to take home. When I met with the sleep study person to go over my results he recommended that I get a CPAP. I asked him why and he said that my study showed I had problem sleeping and that my volume of air needed to be increased. I asked him for a copy of his report and compared it to the data I had initially after the study. Guess what? He had changed the numbers in various criteria in order to get the diagnosis he wanted. In order to sell me a machine costing thousands of dollars that I never needed to begin with.

    Now.... are there people who truly have sleep apnea? Yes. So all of the people diagnosed with this problem actually have it? NO
    In fact there is evidence that nationwide, this is one of the most over-diagnosed illnesses out there.

    THERE IS BIG MONEY IS CPAP! Beware.
     
    dollarmtn and DocWatson Thank this.
  6. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    I asked my recruiter about CPAP, as I've been using it for a long time. They said that if I had a compliant machine (records to SD card), all I would need is to have used it nightly for the 30 days prior to reporting. They could get everything they needed from the machine.
     
  7. Flatbedn

    Flatbedn Road Train Member

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    I drove at prime prior to requiring bigger guys to take this test. My friend still runs there and to the best of my knowledge he has to show Don in safety his machine records on a monthly basis. He said it isnt much to it. Just has to use his machine everytime he goes to bed.
     
  8. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Here is the thing about getting the right cpap machines. Like I said I bought mine cheap off of Craigslist. It works great. I also have the memory card. When I started the process of applying to Swift I made an appointment for my personal doctor. Prior to the appointment I went to a local dealer that sold cpap machines and asked them nicely if they would please print the report off my memory card. I got the report and brought it to my personal doctor so he could validate the machine's treatment of my sleep apnea and sign off that I"m good to drive.

    Now, here's the thing about buying a used machine. My machine, built 2007, shows my usage but it does not show how the machine is treating my apnea. It is showing that I use it regularly, how many hours, what times, average usage, etc. but not showing my sleep index. So for a minuteI was screwed I thought. My doc made me another appointment and told me to come back with the proper info. I called the same place that gave me the printout, told them about my lack of health insurance and general lack of money and they were so cool as to let me have a newer used loaner machine that records all the right info. I can use it for a month to show that my pressure set at 10 cm is the right pressure. Then I return the loaner and set my old machine to 10 cm and all is well. Make sense? I began using the loaner immediately. I went for a printout last week just to see if everything was working ok. I was at a 1.9 which was great. I need to be below a 5.0. I'm compliant and being treated.

    Here's some tips...
    1) You want a machine that has a memory card and will provide the information that shows how well your condition is being treated, not just your usage. Not all machines show this so check into whatever machine you are looking at. In general, the newer machines show more info.
    2) Try to get a apap/cpap which is a machine that sets your pressure automatically based on your condition. My loaner is an apap and so it adjusts my pressure as I need it.
    3) I was given a loaner, no down payment, no insurance, no money. You may be able to do the same, just ask around. It never hurts to ask and be humble.

    In no way was I implying that a $200 sleep study and your say so would get you hired or past the DOT. I was just suggesting an alternative to buying a newer machine. My old $200 machine is fine, works well and it shows my usage. I plan on using it in training and then again when I'm driving. Why own an expensive machine when this one does everything that is needed except show my apnea index. I know the pressure is right because the loaner shows it. Based on this, and the printout from the loaner my doctor will most likely be signing off on me in a couple weeks when we meet again. My sleep study was 5 years ago. I do not need to get another one. Not sure about Prime because I"m not applying there but I know Central Refrig and Swift dont specify a recent sleep study, only that you are being treated and that the treatment is working.

    Hope this helps.
     
  9. Nexus

    Nexus Bobtail Member

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    Interesting info here. Was completely unaware of overweight folks needing a separate test or how they pick these people out for that test.
     
  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Anyone can be afflicted with sleep apnea... skinny as a rail or overweight. However, 80% of folks who have a problem with sleep apnea happen to be obese. Not just a little overweight, but a lot - so one of the indicators is a high BMI.
     
  11. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    I must be one of the 20%. I've had sleep apnea when I was 155 lbs and I"m a little over 5'10". It's hereditary but gets worse with weight.
     
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