? About DOT physicals (Sleep Apnea)

Good luck on it. Hope things work out.

I did find this on the net and maybe it will help. I dunno but here it is.

What does neck size, weight, and BMI have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Neck size, weight, and BMI are all just indicators that the medical examiner looks at to determine if you may have a condition that would impact your ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle now or for the period for which the medical card may be issued. There are currently no set specifics on these measurements in the DOT regulations. However, companies may set their own policies and have their own standards for these indicators, which may disqualify you to drive for that particular company.

http://dotphysicaldoctor.com/faq/breathing/#neck-size

 

I'm aware of al the sleep study info. He is not considered obese just over weight, 15lbs. I really know the sleep study was not an actual true. Even the Dr. told him he likely suffers from "shift workers disease" which indicates to me his so called 20 episodes an hour was NOT the whole time he was sleeping. Mind you, I watched him during his in home sleep study. Having a background in this I know the indicators to look for and during this he had less than 2 hours of any episodes at all over an 8 1/2 hrs. All I know not every sleep disorder is solved with a CPAP. I have seen this firsthand from my previous experience working in the medical field. I know this even more now watching this man suffer and sleep deprived now on this machine than ever before.

 

This is bs was over the bmi by .07 so I just got certified for a year only. Oh and for anyone out there... lie on your physicals. U take zero medications. It is like a witch hunt

 

I enjoy reading your posts about this as it just confirms what I have always thought..Indeed some do have sleep apnea and there are always going to be those who sing the praises of a cpap blah,blah,blah... but by and large it is first and foremost just another "money grab"..

 

....only by those companies that make it so. I think first and foremost should be the fact that is IS a real problem. Sadly, it is but another cash cow for some. And, yes....CPAP changed my life. Literally. And quite possibly saved it.

 

Then you would be interested to know that when the buzz about this was milling about behind closed doors (before it went public) that certain high level people in this nation were urged to buy stock in the industry that produce Cpap,Bipap,Apap etc..they are now forcing on you truck drivers. Two words for that...CASH COW!! Did you know that there are over 75 different sleep disorders? I will not say that it is not a life saver for some. In fact I have heard many of those good reports. For every one good report I have heard 10 that the individuals are down right miserable a couple are on the verge of suicide. How sad!
With that said to enforce this as a blanket mandate leaving the individual little or no alternatives, scares the S*** out of me.

 

Absolutely agree 100%. Like any other medical treatment, if a patient is not truly in need, it will do more harm than good often times. So-called "borderline" cases come to mind. Guys who are straddling the line between needing and not needing CPAP are being forced to use it with negative effects. An off shoot of this scenario is that the entire issue gets stamped with the "junk science" label either by those who have been victimized directly, or by those who know such an individual.

As the son of a physician, it absolutely infuriates me to no end.

 

I'm infuriated too!

 

I guess I wasn't much help. Aww well I tried.

Getting certified for a year kind of sucks. That means you get to deal with them again next year.
I feel for ya brother. Next year tell the doc you have a strange lump on the inside of your upper leg.
When the sob gets down there to look, fart on him. He's giving you #####, give some back.

 

Your insights were helpful. The link provided if not for me, gives the information someone else may be looking for. I'm providing a link you may or may not have seen. I found this interesting read.

http://www.landlinemag.com/Magazine/2014/May/News/sleep-apnea-testing.aspx