I'm in a sleep apnea pickle.

I don't understand why some guys have to do it and some don't. I am a big guy and have never had to take the test. They ask me if I have a hard time sleeping or if I feel tired during the day. I say no. They move on.

The only thing I can think of is one of those guys that sounds like he's snoring when he's wide awake.

 

If you have sleep apnea you def want to get treated. I finally gave in and took the test and I had bad sleep apnea. I wasn't breathing much when I slept but I felt fine everyday and wasn't tired. Honestly don't feel any different now that I'm using the cpap but I know that I'm actually getting better sleep.
It's scary seeing the ekg readout showing the difference between using the cpap and not when you have bad sleep apnea and thats the sole motivation to use it. I'll use it even when I'm done trucking

 

I think it depends on the doctor. The doctor i got the physical from didnt even ask about my sleeping habuts. Just went by bmi and neck size. I'm 5'11" and 255 so a bit heavy but dont have any problems sleeping.

 

How big are you? If you went to 4 different doctors than somethings there. Yes, it CAN be a little scammish sometimes but on the other end if your huge than Dr's are gonna be afraid to put their name on the line. Get yourself an Atkins book and start taking weight off, you need to do that anyways, screw the driving your health is more important. As it's been said, there are programs that will knock the costs down for you. Look into weight loss clinics, your ins will most likely work with them and some of them may be able to get you cert'd. If not than you may be able to have them work with a DOT reg'd doc to get you a year card or something.

Nobody knows if they have an apnea problem or not, but in any case health is #1. Fill out your profile, where are you located?

See if any of these are near you
lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com

 

I had a similar problem when I went for my physical last time. I don't have sleep apnea but I bet a lab would say I did. I wrote up a thread on it. Basically, you can eventually find a doctor that won't care. Try independent ones, not places like healthworks or Concentra. I am convinced that those places get kick backs from the sleep labs. What I did was find a smaller office and got my 2 year card and not once did anyone mention a sleep study.

Secondly, there are many companies that don't make you take a sleep study. I personally would never work for one that did. Again, I know I don't have it because I sleep so well that logs envy me. I don't need a test to prove it.

 

I doctor shopped, easy as could be. There are many to choose from off that registry.

 

Untreated sleep apnea is associated with a 5 fold increase in serious accident rates.

I use one and will not sleep with out it. Cost? Ya, it wasn't cheap and the company "scammed" me into it.....best money I ever spent. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I got a good night's sleep for a change!

 

OP, The driver shortage is mostly fake news. But there are 1000's of drivers who won't work for peanuts. Good luck and stay positive.

 

Can you provide a reputable link to the "5 fold increase"?