New Driver and Sleep Apnea

Sleep study for apnea is pretty straightforward. Some place hook you up to a monitor which checks blood O2 level and counts how many times you stop breathing an hour. If your BMI is a 43 then you probably have it as I do with a 31 and dropping.

I got a machine 4 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Whether you truck or not you need to get tested and insurance will pay for it. you may have a small co pay or deductible.
If you have questions, message me.

 

What city do you live in? There must be a local hospital with a sleep clinic.

A lot of drivers have weight issues. Obese people are more likely to have apnea. Apnea can cause headaches, fatigue, and a myriad of health issues including heart disease. Add that to your weight and you are a walking heart attack waiting to happen. Do I sound like a jerk? yes. Am I right? Yes.
How do i know? I am a heavy guy. Not as heavy as you. I weigh 250 and started at 300. So no, I am not fatty bashing.

 

you need to show 30 days of compliance. The SD card holds a ton of info which can be printed out. What they are looking for in the data is that you have been using the machine.

It takes time to get used to the machine and I advise you to use the ramp up feature they come with. And the humidifier which will help your lungs as well.

 

Careful with using the built in humidifier, as you have to keep the inside of the hose clean and free of bacteria growing in it. You can't see the bacteria, but it will be there.

The humidity does feel good, but I choose not to use it as I do not want to clean the inside of the hose every week or two.

 

Carry some rubbing alcohol with you, pour it on the mouth piece every other day and down the hose one a week. Problems solved. I also take in in the shower with me (at home) every couple weeks.

 

Correct, its no different than High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, as long as its treated you will be fine. Those are treated with pills and Apnia with a CPAP. Blood pressure and A1C can be monitored toale sure you are taking your medication, and a readout of the CPAP serves the same purpose.

The one difference is if you have Apnia, or any of the others, you will only receive a 1 year med card.

 

You should be cleaning it either way. Bacteria build up whether you use it or not. It is easy to clean. Run hot water through it, as hot as you can get it.

 

I clean the gel face pad once every few days with regular dish soap. works well and thats what is recommended. I throw the humidifier in the dishwasher every other week.

On the road you have to improvise.

 

The DME company that I went to, tested me out of my home and then sold me a unit that used a MODEM for compliance. I did not need to take a card into a clinic. My DME had all my sleep history remotely. It was pretty convenient. No time off for doctor appointments. At the end of the year, my DME company will be able to show all of my sleep history for compliance so I can keep my job. Having Sleep Apnea is not fun and it can be a game changer. But having my CPAP machine has changed my life. I sleep great and I have lost weight. The company that I used is Alltrans Medical. If you are also facing this situation, call them or check them out on the web at alltransmedical.com. Good luck and happy sleeping. Save driving too.