Lying about sleep apnea?

The posters who said not to lie about it are correct. If he is a big guy as you have said he will never get around this new BMI thing, which is pretty much an automatic 3 month med card for a sleep study. Lucky for me I was diagnoised with sleep apnea while on active duty. I just bring the data from my machine, signed by my specialist, and the DOT doctor signs me off for a 1 year card. I am curious about this 100% compliance coming from Crete. I only have to be at 80% for my company.

 

You really can't stop a train even if you were alert. Plus you aren't running among 4 wheelers. You don't run into them. They get in your way.

I'm an severe sleep apnea case. It got to the point with my eyes open everything around me would blank out for a few seconds and me still awake. It's called narcolepsy as a direct result from untreated sleep apnea. I knew I had to get off the road. It is serious and the FMCSA has to address it because too many drivers ignore it or don't know they have it. A lot of these wrecks you hear about a driver falling asleep, many are sleep apnea related.

I'll tell you something else many don't think about. Them few trucks you see in the rest areas during the daytime, not all are night runners. Many are sleep apnea cases having to take a daytime nap because of their problems. My last year driving I figured that stuff out because I was one of them. You get your nap in you are okay but you find yourself falsifying to get the job done.

 

Maverick has one of the best reputations out here for flatbed & reefer companies.
Other good flatbed companies are System Transport and Melton Truck Lines.

 

Sleep apnea is bullcrap? Really? What evidence do you have of this or is this you just spewing nonsense.

As others have said its not really recomennded that he lie. He could get away with it, but he is taking a major gamble. And personally this is not an issue to take lightly in this line of work where you need to ne alert.

I have apnea. Few days ago I went to settle in for the night, turned on the machine...nothing. The power pack fried. I didn't have a back up. Had to have one overnighted to my terminal nearby which in reality was 2 days because of te time I placed the order. Meanwhile, I went to sleep that night without treatment. Slept like crap..woke up several times gasping and the next morning I felt like I had gone 15 rounds with Tyson in his prime. The next night same thing. Got the part in, fired the machine up and slept like a baby. Its a very real condition and although a nuiscence for this line of work I am very much in favor of the testing procedures that go on in this industry regarding apnea. I know that's not a popular opinion but I am grateful for that CPAP machine. It saves lives

 

The best thing he has to do is lose the weight!

 

but BUT drivers don't want to hear that!

 

When you go for your CDL physical the Dr. will ask if you snore or get tired during the day. He will ask if you nap during the day. These are indicators of sleep apnea. Then they measure your neck and calculate your body mass index. Larger than 17 inch neck and a BMI that is greater than 34 are also indicators. You can get your BMI from the internet, you just need your height and weight. Your own Dr. can sign a waiver that it is his opinion you do not have sleep apnea but in doing so he is accepting responsibility should you be involved in an accident. The only options a driver has is compliance or another occupation.

 

A note from one's own doctor means nothing during a DOT physical . The doctor performing the physical takes responsibility when he signs the card .
Too many nonqualified drivers certified by their family doctor is the reason examiners are going to be required to be certified by FMCSA .

 

If the examining Dr. determines that you have sleep apnea indicators during your CDL physical he will issue a 3 month medical card and hand you a waiver that your own Dr. can sign if he chooses to accept responsibiliy. This is the way it was 2 years ago when I got my CPAP machine. To be in compliance I had to use the machine a minimum of 4 hours a night and 70% a month. I do not know if the 4 and 70 were company or DOT requirements. I had insurance and did 2 sleep studies at $4600.00 each. The insurance did not buy the machine. It was billed at $150.00 a month and I paid the deductible. The maintenance cost is $450.00 to replace the hose, filter, mask and water reservoir every 3 or 4 months. My machine has a removable chip that stores information for 1 year. This is how they verify compliance.

 

True but will your doctor agree to be certified by FMCSA ? Many won't