CPAP ruined my life

The first mistake was having the home test; they have almost a 40% error rate;
demand an in clinic overnight exam with video.

 

Maybe get another physical at some "off the wall" place. Some chiropractors are authorized to give DOT physicals now and some CVS pharmacies. A few drivers that post on here got away with it.

 

Change companies. Maybe not that simple, but it's an option. Some companies only do a urine drug test and will accept your current DOT physical. Sometimes they want a copy of the long form and sometimes they don't.

 

You're right, OD is a premium job, don't want to lose that opportunity.
I think I remember you; didn't you work for XPO for awhile?

 

You know, I really enjoy your way with words, Mr @Hazardous. IMO, an excellent writing style. Sorry I can't be of help.

 

There's another way to look at this. I've never been a "big boy", but I did quickly gain 45 lbs when I started trucking again five years ago. Even before then I knew I had sleep issues, stopping breathing and waking up at night.

It was when I got really sick and went to a doctor shortly after starting driving that the extent of my health problems slapped me in the face. It wasn't just the weight gain, I was prediabetic. My blood pressure was also creeping up to danger zone along with cholesterol. Then my brother got cancer.

THAT'S when I started altering my diet. I dropped that excess 45 lbs in six months. I went back for a check-up. The doctor that had wanted me to get on a drug regimen to control my blood pressure and prediabetic condition was amazed. I told him the diet I went on, and his response was he wished more of his patients would do the same, but he also understand that it was an impossible dream.

Basically I eliminated all sugar from my diet. I haven't been sick in over four years, not even a runny nose. I pull flatbed, working for hours on load securement in extreme weather and I am north of sixty years old.

My latest DOT physical was passed with flying colors. I weigh the same as when I graduated high school. My blood pressure is 110/60. My resting heart rate is 58. I am in the best health I have been for decades.

Google the following: sugar addiction, human microbiome, sugar detox, or plant based diet. I still eat meat, but only a few times a month. My very sense of taste has changed. I can't STAND sweet things anymore.

OP the bottom line is CPAP isn't ruining your life, YOU are ruining your life.

 

I have mild sleep apnea. I'm 5'8 and 240 pounds. I snored loud. I wasn't rested and sometimes woke up with headaches. It wasn't easy to adjust to mask at first. Get the test redone in overnight stay at clinic/hospital. The take home test isnt accurate. You need someone who monitors you outside the room all night. Find out if your O2 saturation levels go down while you are asleep to ####ty levels... find out what those levels mean. Mine was down to 92% then up to 98% with level 8 Cpap pressure they adjusted to my machine. You may or may not have it. They offer a new type of mask that just covers your nostrils and you can lay on your side...its way more comfortable and doesn't cover your mouth/nose like a whole mask. I usually don't sleep entire night wearing mine, but I'm so rested after using it half the night then regular sleep. Other times I do wear it entire night b/c I'm in such a deep sleep. Most people struggle with wearing it first couple weeks...maybe try it on one night, then off the next until it's comfortable ... find the new style slim mask that might help. If your O2 sat dips a lot, you have it and you won't get into the deep REM cycle sleep most all people hit... not all heavy/big folks get it, but a high percentage do, and it's not always snoring as you mentioned but obstruction of airflow...I lost 23 pounds through " intermittent fasting" (16/8 hours; look it up, so easy to do as a trucker) and fast paced walking most days of the week for 20-30 minutes... i feel i dont need the cpap anymore, but I like the extra deep sleep i get from it. good luck