Sleep Apnea

When a driver is forced to realize that he has sleep apnea he is bound to deny it, but many find that after they use the machine, their live becomes much better in many ways, relationships, career, time with family. Would you rather spend time with Grandkids sleeping in a chair, or interacting with them. I'm just saying!

 

The VA paid for my sleepover, diagnosis and CPAP machine. If you are a vet. You can try the VA. Also there is now a home test recommended by a company I applied for that you can see online at "Novasom" otherwise I hear that some companies like Schneider might pay for your test and equipment needed if you meet their hiring requirements and agree to work for them. Good luck, hope this helps.

 

Like that steering wheel quote. Reminds me of " to understand ones job, you must have an intimate knowledge of the ugly side" author unknown.

 

Prime's medical people play a little loose with the criteria for sending people for sleep studies

Me personally? Mid 20s, overweight but otherwise healthy (BP normal, neck under 17", no health issues present or past), no sleep issues or other symptoms related to sleep apnea. If the nurse practitioner or whatever had asked "n3ss, why are you such a fat ### if not sleep apnea?" I would have been like "well, I spent the last two years eating like #### and drinking my ###### job and life away. In that time period I also let my gym membership lapse and quit playing sports." and she would have said "oh, you probably don't have sleep apnea, you just need to cut back on the pizza and booze" and I would have been like "why didn't I ever think of that?!"

Instead, she was like "I can't see the dangly thing in your mouth, plus you're a fatty, so you must have sleep apnea, which is the only rational explanation for your fatness" (paraphrasing here)(I was sick that week, as well, but having the flu or whatever was not medically relevant)

I believe the whole time I was hooked up to that crap, I had ONE brief apnea/event. The guy running the test woke me up early, and I quote "theres no reason for you to be here if you don't need to be" - the $14/hr guy who took 3 classes at a community college knew I was wasting $700. A complete waste of my money, but I had to bend over and take it because I needed the job more than I needed the satisfaction of telling them to shove it out of spite.

While I do realize sleep apnea is a real condition with serious consequences, Prime (and probably other companies) doesn't use doctors to screen for it. They don't screen rationally, and there's no consideration beyond the physical appearance/BMI of an applicant. I'm fairly certain that there is a mutually beneficial relation ship between Prime and SleepScam or whatever they're called, and it's not the health, safety, and longevity of their drivers. If prime can get that fatty into a sleep study and a lease, they're going to be happy for a long time.

 

Paid for the whole thing. I didn't have insurance at the time. Took 30 days for benefits to kick in

 

1) I'm informed and it IS a scam. (Used to collect insurance money)

2) Blanket testing all would be drivers is almost criminal.

3) There are people that have sleep disorders, but this is exceedingly rare.

4) People that say it's not a scam, are rare cases that have a disorder... or just bought it hook line and sinker.

5) If you have a sleep disorder, you WILL already know it. It will NOT require some goofy test.

 

Its stupid. I am 6 Ft and 268 lbs. Built like a football player. They tried to say I had sleep apnea because of my BMI. I don't snore and sleep like a baby each night. I didn't have to test though but it still worries me for next time. I have been 250 since high school and in good shape. It should not be just a height and weight calculation. When I was in the marines I had to be screened even though I was in perfect shape. Big muscular build does not mean over weight and sleep apnea. I can understand if you are 400+ lbs and out of breath just standing there. Its just for more money...

 

What trucking companies do NOT require a sleep apnea test?

 

My initial thought on sleep apnea was that it was insane due to the fact that I'm 6'3" and 270 lbs. and slept like a baby. The test was recommended by Concentra, and I was extremely skeptical. My questions were like, " I'm just a big dude! Does this mean that every player in the NFL should be tested also? Their answer was YES if they want to drive a truck and be DOT certified. So I did my research, just by looking on YouTube you can see Shaq. And other pros endorsing this new test. Also my research revealed that Reggie White died from untreated sleep apnea. So when I finished my sleepover test the doctor showed me the computer that monitored me all night, and I was surprised, and shocked at how low my oxygen levels had fallen and how many times I had awoke without realizing it throughout the night. It took a few trips back to get the rite mask that was comfortable and once I was properly fitted, now I call my CPAP machine "My dream machine" because like erosion on a stone or and other process that goes unnoticed over time, illnesses can cheap up on you without notice. Now what I once thought was good sleep is gone, and I now have GREAT sleep with wonderful dreams and every night is like a vacation. I was once a skeptic, now I could do commercials for apnea. It's truly a great feeling when you overcome an obstacle in life. Now I can be certified one year at a time, also if it makes me a better or safer driver I'm all for it. It's real, it's out there, and it's treatable, Be smart, and be safe.