Dot Physical

I have a related DOT physical question. Can I ask here?

I have mild obstructive sleep apnea and wear a strip over my nose that I buy off Amazon. They are FDA approved EPAP strips. At least I think I do have sleep apnea (self diagnosed). It's very mild and only happens if I try to sleep on my back. I don't snore or anything, but I can hear myself sort of hiccuping when I'm in a "dreaming but not fully asleep" phase. I don't suffer from any day time fatigue. What are the odds of a DOT physician making me take another sleep study? Should I bring it up or not? From reading online, it seems they force anybody who has a BMI above 32 or neck size of 17" to take it anyways, so I probably will have to.

 

The biggest thing people need to stay away from is processed foods. Even those (healthy) veggies on that buffet is loaded with sodium. Years ago before all of this processed food people had very few issues with blood pressure. When I stopped eating processed food and drinking cola my blood pressure dropped so far that I sometimes have dizziness from low blood pressure. To the OP if you have 3 or 4 weeks see if you can get a script for Lisinopril hctz, this drug is the best fastest acting pill you can get to counteract high sodium levels and will show measurable improvement in a few weeks.

 

Right now there are no FMCSA sleep apnea standards. Don't let some greedy trying to get business for his sleep lab doctor force you into this. Shop around there are many places that don't do this.

 

We live in the same state. Do you have any recommendations?

 

I'm on BP medicine which diagnosed me as having hypertension so I had to go back to doc 2 weeks later and it was normal so don't have to do back for 6 months.Part of the reason was stressed,lack of sleep lack of food you name it but now I'm much better a,d eating healthy.I stay away from all that processed garbage that doesn't taste good anyway and cook my own meals.I'm eating veggies mainly celery and cottage cheese.

 

My recommendation is to straight up lie to the dr doing the physical unless you have a condition which would completely disqualify you, such as diabetes requiring insulin. Tell them you are always well rested and eat healthy, just quit smoking a few weeks ago and you never drink alcohol. #### you not, they asked me if I had any allergies and I was like no nothing other than poison ivy and hay fever. She started writing those down and looked up at me anxiously when she asked me what meds I take for them. They are not looking for reasons to let you drive, they are looking for reasons not to.

 

My last physical was done by Dr Sager at the Hampton Veterans Hospital. I retired in Jan of 2013 and my last physical before I retired was done in Atlanta. I'm afraid other then Dr Sager I don't know of any clinics. I have heard that CVS does physicals, but I can't tell you anymore, sorry.

 

That is pretty much their job. Not to see of you are fit to drive, but rather to find out if you are unfit to drive.

 

That sounds funny. I think I will just lie. I'm pretty good at lying to get doctor's notes when I call in sick at work.

The doctor I was thinking of going to works at a hospital, so I know he probably sends everybody that walks in the door to their sleep study department. I may try a CVS. What do they have to gain?

 

Not true, I'd been borderline for a awhile, but not over the 140/90 threshold and always had a 2 year card....I started taking Atacand anyway and that pulled it down in the 120's/70's....Then a few years ago, and a few lbs more, I was a spit over the 140 mark, but not much....This resulted in a 1 year card and a script for another type of stronger BP med ....Well, that pulled it down too low, cut the dose in half and back to 110's/70.....Went back 1 year later to get renewed and back to a 2 year card.....