I'm in a sleep apnea pickle.

UKwildcatfan · Feb 20, 2017

Duurtipoker said: ↑

I'm not sure of which companies do not require another physical. However I have to say how interesting it is here that most of the time these truckers tell you to pick your company carefully. To not go to the bottom feeder companies but to find good companies. But now many are saying they won't go to one that requires a sleep study, and recommending you do the same, thereby picking your company by that criteria..... I guess it's just an interesting way to pick your next employer.

That being said, UK, I feel your pain. I started a similar situation back at the beginning of December. I had a valid DoT from MD but I went to one of those companies that require a physical at their own Dr, and was sent home for a sleep study. After leaving my old job and insurance behind. It's been a struggle. I had enough cash put aside for December, but January and February have been tough. I finally, after 67 days, got a CPAP and have been using it for 11 days now. 19 to go. Yes, bills are not being paid, many an arrangement is being made. It seems I'm on the phone every day trying to hold someone at bay. I've had a few interviews, some by phone and some in a neighboring town (costing me gas money I don't have) but the only acceptance I have so far doesn't start their training (not trucking) until March 13. The same time I can get into the trucking company. I've always paid my debts, and I will this time as well. I just need a little more time. I may not have it. At my 30 day mark when I can actually get hired by a trucking company that will be mid March. If I can't swing my rent for February that will put me 60 days behind and they start eviction procedures. The ladies in the office don't want to do it, but their hands are tied by company policy so I understand. But once they start, there is no going back and paying. You're out anyway. So if I can't come up with it within the next 20 days I may have fought and scraped to stay where I am for nothing in the end. It's so close, I see the end of it, but it may be too late anyway. It's frustrating. But I keep fighting. Coming up with a new plan today that may help, or may not, but I keep trying.

And if you really want to do this job, you will too. Don't give up because of some test. Find a way to take it. There is a way, you just have to look harder, try harder, find a way.

Ed
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Thanks buddy, and have you thought about applying for food stamps? I would if I needed them bad enough. I guess someone always has it worse. Your situation humbled me.

UKwildcatfan · Feb 20, 2017

lilillill said: ↑

If you are in the range of morbidly obese, consider it a blessing that you are having a hard time getting into trucking. Maybe humping groceries or a beverage truck wouldn't be too bad but OTR will kill you with the sedentary lifestyle.
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I want to hump groceries. I'd ultimately like to work for US Foods.

UKwildcatfan · Feb 20, 2017

Pumpkin Oval Head said: ↑

Do you have symptoms of sleep apnea? Do you wake up tired in the morning? Do you get a full 8 hours of sleep each night?

Long term, if you really want to get into trucking, there are two things you can do. You can lose weight.....and you can excercise.

There is technology available to do a sleep apnea test at home.....cost should be a lot less. Not sure how a clinic doing physicals will accept such a test, but it would be worth checking it out.

I had a 600 lb guy in my cdl class. When he went to dot to take the driving test, they failed him and told the instructor to not bring him back for a retest. I suspect the 600 lb guys you see did not weigh that much when they took their dot driving test. Trucking is very sedentary and it is easy to gain weight.
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Why did they say not to bring him back?

Pepper24 · Feb 20, 2017

pattyj said: ↑

How come you're not on an insurance plan at that factory?
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Most insurance plans won't cover a sleep study

pattyj · Feb 20, 2017

Pepper24 said: ↑

Most insurance plans won't cover a sleep study
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Oh really?I wonder howcome.

tucker · Feb 20, 2017

pattyj said: ↑

Oh really?I wonder howcome.
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I blame Obama

25(2)+2 · Feb 20, 2017

tucker said: ↑

I blame Obama
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Me, too. The doctor who wanted me to do one resigned suddenly. It's complicated, and there are other treatments besides the positive air pressure machines with the masks, etc.

I hauled chickens, the hours were totally messed up and being in the filth and dust and then putting on that garbage without doing a thorough wash with Phiso Hex is just something I wasn't going to do.

The test was inconclusive, my o2 saturation was not out of normal range, so that was that.

Really ticked me off, though. I fired that doctor. Wish I could do more, now. But that skirmish is over and done with.

Lonesome · Feb 20, 2017

25(2)+2 said: ↑

Me, too. The doctor who wanted me to do one resigned suddenly. It's complicated, and there are other treatments besides the positive air pressure machines with the masks, etc.

I hauled chickens, the hours were totally messed up and being in the filth and dust and then putting on that garbage without doing a thorough wash with Phiso Hex is just something I wasn't going to do.

The test was inconclusive, my o2 saturation was not out of normal range, so that was that.

Really ticked me off, though. I fired that doctor. Wish I could do more, now. But that skirmish is over and done with.
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Similar situation, the clinic my company was using had a doc that ordered me to do a sleep study, based on BMI only. Gave me 60 days to do it. Had it done after about 50 days, found out company no longer uses that clinic. New clinic didn't care about it at all. $1800.00 dollars flushed. Insurance would not pay.

25(2)+2 · Feb 20, 2017

Lonesome said: ↑

Similar situation, the clinic my company was using had a doc that ordered me to do a sleep study, based on BMI only. Gave me 60 days to do it. Had it done after about 50 days, found out company no longer uses that clinic. New clinic didn't care about it at all. $1800.00 dollars flushed. Insurance would not pay.
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Ouch. Really don't want to get into pay or not, I have something going on that's worse.

That doctor is an MD. Doesn't mean much, as my father said, "doctors bury their mistakes", and I added, "lawyers and bureaucrats bury them with paperwork".

ethos · Feb 20, 2017

UKwildcatfan said: ↑

What are the one's that do not make you take a sleep study? The companies that is? I know a rinky dink clinic that can get me a 2 year card, but what companies wouldn't make me take the sleep apnea test once I got hired on?
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I couldn't provide you with a list but the majority do not waste time or money on it.

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