Sleep Apnea

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by missjane, Apr 3, 2014.

  1. Tigges Chiropractic

    Tigges Chiropractic Bobtail Member

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    Apr 5, 2014
    Gallatin, TN
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    http://www.teamcme.com/My advice, call TEAMCME they have some low cost alternatives and docs nationwide that can help you with what you need to do.
     
    missjane Thanks this.
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  3. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    It's not. It's an indicator. If the odds of someone having OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) rise significantly at a certain BMI or neck size, then that's a reasonable indicator to be tested.

    The symptoms of OSA appear gradually over a very long period of time (years), so the symptoms aren't easily noticed.
     
  4. GregH65

    GregH65 Light Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2011
    Modesto, California
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    I was wondering why the study was required for her to even get into CDL School and get her initial license, this was not something ordered by an employer. That being said, I myself use cpap. My incident score was 72 sleep interruptions per hour. In the middle of the test when they place you on cpap my incidents reduced to 3..over 5 hours, not per hour. I have been on CPAP for over 5 years now and don't sleep well without it. I was pushed by my wife for the study, who was never sleeping due to my snoring and interruptions. On reflection and questioning of former roommates and my ex wife, I had been tearing it up for over 20 years and ignoring the fact that I was always tired and could fall asleep anytime, anywhere.
    In a nutshell, the apnea occurs because the soft tissues of your throat do not receive enough constant airflow to keep them taunt during the night, this causes them to collapse and partially to fully obstruct your airway, which leads to severe snoring and full apneic interruptions. Your brain gets the signal that you don't have air and wakes you up to fix the problem, even if you don't realize its happening.
    Personally I have apena if I am skinny or fat, my father has had all the surgery and still ended up on cpap. Yes, it is inherently more likely in overweight people, but that does not mean its 100%. An employer can place any pre employment requirement on you they wish, but having to get the study done just for school? is that part of the new DOT regs too?
     
    bergy, John's Girl and missjane Thank this.
  5. missjane

    missjane Light Load Member

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    Apr 3, 2014
    Charlotte, NC
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    Thanks for an excellent point. The only thing I can think of is that I was sent for a DOT physical and that's what I got.
     
  6. Jd1288

    Jd1288 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 29, 2014
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    Well my question is this....I work for Schneider and am being required to perform one rather quickly or be fired or I quit. Yet my DBL knew of this months ago and "forgot" to tell me I needed one from a survey I took. My background...I am a farm boy and country bred and corn fed. I am 5'9 and 277 lbs and yet I can bench my own weight, dead lift twice that, do sit ups and push ups and run a few miles before I am tired. I have grown up wrestling cattle and throwing hay and splitting wood so I am a big boy but by no means am I fat but due to the metrics I am morbidly obese and at risk. I had a DOT physical done and passed with flying colors with my doctor, who was a Schneider doc, said I had no need for a sleep study and just 3 weeks had a bio screening done and was even told that for a big guy I was very healthy. I do not feel like I need one done and can not afford the down time since we are not paid. If I resign from Schneider formally will this follow me? Or should I just drink the kool aid?
     
  7. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    I have no real answer for you, maybe you should look for a thread on it in the Schneider sub Forum. It will follow you some places, and not in others, at least not yet. If you like Schneider, try to work with them, if you can stand to go elsewhere, that is up to you.
     
  8. Jd1288

    Jd1288 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 29, 2014
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    Thanks, I will check that out and yes I am willing to work elsewhere. Especially the oil field!
     
  9. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    i agree,it sounds fishy.I have never had an issue w/my medical card being renewed with sleep apnea being brought up.It is for real as my gf,an RN for a hospice agency,uses a cpap but i honestly think that some places use the term for monetary reasons.she is not overweight but then i am not either but she insists that i will benefit from the cpap.that would be another topic.

    I suggest that OP,mj, go to another clinic and pay out of pocket for a medical card and not be beholding to whomever else that pays for it.mine cost me $60.00 as it just went up $10.same long form,same card.carry one with you as you enter school and be ahead of the rest.if the school makes you use a certain outfit for the physical,something is wrong.

    call around mj and get the best price.best of luck on the change of venue for you.

    oops.just read that you did all that.KUDOS to you for taking this trucking thing seriously and your health along with it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2014
  10. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

    1,773
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    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    I idle while i sleep whether winter or summer and i do not use a cpap. not an argumentative posture but an actual statement. what am i not comprehending as i read your post?
     
  11. Drac1985

    Drac1985 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 4, 2013
    Cleveland , Ohio
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    Amen Brother. Was sent to Concentra for my DOT Physical. This overweight female doctor asked me a bunch of questions about my sleep habits as she weighted me and measured my neck. She informed me that because of my neck size, age, weight and the fact that I can fall asleep in front of the she will only issue me a 3 month card and said unless I attend a sleep study clinic she will not issue a card for any longer when I return to renew.

    She refused to listen to my arguments and said that she was not being mean, just doing her job. She then tossed me a flyer for a local sleep study clinic. The cost was over $800.00 and my insurance did not cover it
     
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