Schneider National, Fishing for sleep disorders.

My problem isn't being required to get a sleep study based on proven risk factors. It isn't even in my company requiring me to get said study as a condition of employment. My issue would be the monitoring aspect. There are a number of other devices available that are less expensive, less invasive and just as effective for sleep apnea sufferers. Companies aren't recommending them. Why? I think it is because they options can't be monitored for compliance. Just more micro-monitoring.

 

If people were honest then that could work. otherwise you sound like someone arguing for loose leaf logs.

 

Dude it's not that big a deal and if you are overweight,chances are you have it. Do a real sleep study and if you need it, use it. Mine gives air through my nose and I hardly notice it-and I feel much better in the morning.

 

I don't know how other's sleep studies were, but my problem is that I think the people that gave me mine are quacks. I can't believe what people who profit off a positive diagnosis, who know that I can't refute them, say. I had this masked strapped on me within 2 hours of the study starting, didn't even get the whole night. They all but forced me to sleep on my back too, with about 20 wires hanging off me. Wanna tell me "sleep professionals" don't know that you're far more likely to fail the test sleeping that way? Maybe the medical device I need is a ####### pillow to keep me on my side at night, lol. That's hardly a joke tho.

The burden of this device and it's monitoring standards should not placed on a driver after a hasty diagnosis from a company appointed doctor. Hell, I didn't even talk to a doctor, I'm dealing with a company named sleep pointe. At one point, they sat me in front of a computer for a video chat with a doctor. Good thing they do that, he's probably been assaulted by the poor idiots he's screwed over before... If compliance is going to be monitored to this extent, I should at least have the option of a second opinion to argue my case or at least have someone I trust confirm that I actually need these shackles on my face every night. What did I get? I was woken up with a clip board put into my hands and "suggested" that I get the device. I laughed at the nurse, "suggesting". If only... I've been awake for 2 minutes, after a partial nights sleep, and given a paper that I need to sign or look for another company. No matter how big a supporter of CPAPs and sleep study you are, does this really sound like the right way of tackling this problem to anyone?

 

I used to work as a respiratory therapist and taught patients about using cpap machines.

Not only do trucking companies monitor the amount of usage, but the insurance companies monitor it too. If a patient doesn't use the cpap for a certain amount of hours each night, the insurance company refuses payment.

Some people never get used to wearing cpap, but most do get used to it after a week or so, and are often glad to have it because they feel better.

 

my monitoring happens when I download the info once a year and email it in. With in a week I get a email back with a letter of compliance and the details of the results. They are only looking for the minimum required usage over the total time of 70% of the time or what equates to 4 hours use a night.

Initially they can or do monitor via wifi(think for 30 or 90 days, depending) , but once compliance is shown habitually , you remove that capability and go to machine recorded/downloaded info. it isnt sent dirctly to SNI but a 3 rd party vendor who also work with the driver to make any adjustments as needed and send out the supplies every 6 months.

 

Just saw the location where this posted. Ha ha Schneider is bad company for getting in front of the eight ball on sleep apnea. It sucks but there better then most other companies that requires testing. Sni is does cover all equipment and testing. It's very pricy and no way I would do it on my own. As for my situation have no idea if it works. My BP hasn't changed haven't lost weight can take a nap during day. As for mask it takes some adjusting to. Hell in 2 years I have atleast 6 mask that I didn't like, just sitting around collecting dust.

 

FMCSA states that either surgical treatment or cpap. As for your bolded , it states that other methods can be considered , not that they have to.

from the fmcsa link you provided
"Approximately 70% of the cases of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are caused by narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Treatments for OSA include surgery and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The successfully treated driver may be considered for certification following the recommended waiting period. You should not certify the driver with suspected or untreated sleep apnea until etiology is confirmed and treatment has been shown to be stable, safe, and adequate/effective.
EDS may also be a symptom of another underlying condition, such as:

• Neurological disease.
• Depression.
• Alcohol or other drug use.
• Prescription and/or over-the-counter medication use.

Certification/Recertification — Chronic Sleep Disorders
Waiting period
Minimum — 1 month after starting CPAP
Minimum — 3 months symptom free after surgical treatment
NOTE: If more than one waiting period applies (because of multiple conditions or other comorbid diseases), examine the driver for certification after the completion of the longest waiting period.
Decision
Maximum certification — 1 year
Recommend to certify if:
The driver has:

• Successful nonsurgical therapy with:
  • Multiple sleep latency testing values within the normal range.
  • Resolution of apneas confirmed by repeated sleep study during treatment.
• Continuous successful nonsurgical therapy for 1 month.
• Compliance with continuing nonsurgical therapy.
• Resolution of symptoms following completion of post-surgical waiting period.

Recommend not to certify if:
The driver has:

• Hypoxemia at rest.
• Diagnosis of:
  • Untreated symptomatic OSA.
  • Narcolepsy.
  • Primary (idiopathic) alveolar hypoventilation syndrome.
  • Idiopathic central nervous system hypersomnolence.
  • Restless leg syndrome associated with EDS.

Monitoring/Testing
The driver who is being treated for sleep apnea should remain symptom free and agree to:

• Continue uninterrupted therapy.
• Undergo yearly objective testing (e.g., multiple sleep latency test or maintenance of wakefulness test). See Sleep Disorder Tests.

Follow-up
The driver should have follow-up dependent upon the clinical course of the condition and recommendation of the treating healthcare provider, not to exceed 1 year.
The complete text of the medical conference reports can be accessed from FMCSA Medical Reports. "


Good I'm glad you quit. Please tell the next company you drive for, so I can be on the look out for your truck.

Whats awesome here though is , you now have quit 2 companies in your first year. Good luck explaining on an app why that is.

 

So I guess you showed them huh?