Driving with sleep apnea

I've been trucking for 29 years and using CPAP for 11 years.
Every year before I go to see my Pulmonologist I go to my CPAP dealer and have the data downloaded from my machine so I have proof that I'm using it. They don't even charge me for this.
The doctor then gives me a letter to take to my DOT medical and I've never had a problem passing or finding work.
The trick is to be very organized and carry copies of the documentation with you. Most of these companies are very worried about liability if you are ever in a serious accident.
I don't think I would lead off with the recruiter telling them that I use CPAP.
Let them see that their doctor approves my medical first.

 

I drive for Swift, and told them I use a CPAP, I have for 4 years and never felt better. I gave them the doctors letter from my sleep study, and they said no problem. I just need to purchase the inverter, and they will intstall at no cost to me. I will not sleep with out it. And it makes a difference in my driving. I can drive 10 hours no coffee, no energy drinks.

paul

 

My company paid a chunk of change based on something I circled when I went in for my DOT physical in November last year: it was about loud snoring. We went for a follow-up visit with the local company doctor who recommended me for a sleep study.

Based on the results, I had sleep apnea big time. Heck, my wife could even show you video she took of me when I stopped breathing altogether, so there was no secret there. I met with the representative who set up my CPAP machine. He uses one himself so that has a high degree of credibility with me.

We signed a statement for the company that there would be certain requirements I had to meet. No problem there for me at all. This information is kept separate from my regular file. I sleep like a baby every night and the machine even gets plugged in for use at home. I never realized what sleep I was missing and feel ever so much better now.

The sleep study cost about $2400 and the CPAP machine was about $600. My company bought a lot of the studies and machines at a discounted rate; all of this was provided at no cost to me. Why lose a great driver who obviously knows what he's doing when it would be easier to deal with the situation and dig a little into company profits to help keep a driver happy, sleeping well, and doing a great job for the company?

 

hello i have sleep apea Ive seen on here companys cant turn u down for having it as long as u have the cpap,and cleared.

 

what wattage do you use for your inverter,I dont know what wattage to use in a truck I have a 40w I dont want to low never used one in a truck thanks

 

Red Dog.. you need to check the user's manual for your CPAP. What actual wattage of invertor you will need will vary on the pressure you use.. and do you use heat/humidification.

I use a 400 watt invertor.

Also.. you need to CAREFULLY read the users manual or check with the maker of your CPAP.. do you need pure sine wave power. or can your CPAP run on modified sine wave power.

Most invertors sold at truck stops will make modified sine wave. Motors and some type of electronics ( like those in a CPAP) will burn out over time on modified sine wave. I learned that the hard way with my first CPAP.

There are some web sites for sleep apnea patients where you can post and get replies on technical stuff like this...

 

tcole... and others..

If you legitimately feel you were turned down for a trucking job just because you have sleep apnea.. ( you better double check you are ALL up to speed on your sleep apnea treatment.. have a current download of compliance data from your CPAP and compliance letter from your sleep doctor) then you need to file a complaint with the EEOC

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is charged with enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA prohibits discrimination in hiring based on a disability. Sleep Apnea is a disability under the ADA.

Most trucking companies cite safety concers in fighting EEOC complaints from truck drivers with sleep apnea. SO.. you need to double check your compliant.

IF you or anyone else needs help or information on filing an EEOC complaint PM me.

a long term CPAP-trucker

 

I have sleep apnea and needed to know if there are com's the would
hire me ?

 

Yes there are several threads on here about this subject with some great information. Just do a search for sleep apnea. Several members here with sleep apnea that drive.