Med card question

Well, I guess you must know more than my doctor who told me specifically examiners are concerned about getting sued if a driver they issue a card to met any type of the typical warning signs used in identifying a person with apnea, and didn't request a test.

As you know, these slip and fall lawyers will use any tactic at their disposal to collect.

 

And your doctor must know more about legal liability than the Attorney that told me this specific thing about 6 months ago. You can NOT sue a doctor when there are no guidelines!

 

I go to #### few doctors, some are retired now. Sigh.

They are old timey. One doctor in particular has no computers whatsoever, he's back in the 60's with books lining his walls pertaining to his trade. He accurately diagnosed a life long situation since birth that Hopkins and their learned professors could not. Only because you need to be beyond 30 for it to show up. But since DOT exams don't cover that particular flaw there is no problem.

It's a example. My Docs are there to fix me, not to be sued. The last time I went to surgery the sleepy nigh nigh man was upset about some of my issues I told him don't worry about it tube and sleep time. If it's permanent Ive had a good run, no suing here. Insurance already takes care of that.

He put me under. Way under. whew. Ive never been that far under before. I think he was angry with me. HA. but nothing I would sue him for. I did concede that I was a bit of a waspish patient prior... Its not my fault. I warned the Preop crew to have that haildol ready.

 

One more point! If this was such a serious problem the FMCSA would have issued guidance in the handbook. This is only a small minority of Medical Examiners that are doing this.

Edited to add I am speaking about the FMCSA Medical Examiners Handbook. NOT the rules!

 

It's really good MR Moose.

 

Okay, if you say so.

Since you seem to be the resident expert on the subject, are you saying that apneas only occur when the tongue relaxes and drops back into the throat?

 

Gotta go back to work now. Check in later.

 

Nope, if you will go back and read my comment again you will see I said OSA. I am a bit of an expert on this subject because I spend 3 or 4 hours a day trying to help drivers caught up in this crap. In doing so I have spoken to the FMCSA, I have a copy of the FMCSA Medical Examiners handbook AND I have contacts with some practicing MEs and some safety people that also deal with it.

Edited to also add that OSA is what most CPAP machines are for. OSA is why most MEs check the throat. There are other forms of Sleep Apnea, but for the purposes of the FMCSA and driving the big thing is OSA.

 

Best to go to your primary physician before ever going for a DOT physical. Tell them your DOT physical coming up. Easier to get issues address vs getting a 30 or 90 day card. Order a sleep study...this can be done for a couple hundred bucks. Bring all that paperwork with you.

 

YOU NAILED IT! It's even better if you have a Physician that also does DOT Physicals. This way you are covered across many of the problems a driver can be faced with.

The Last Physical I got before I left Georgia was done by my Primary care Physician.