Newbie Question on Sleep Apena and DOT phys

Hi all. Heading to my first trucking job and just took the phys for the company at a urgent care center a few days ago. The doc said that I was close to where he would say I need a sleep apena test and he said I should try and get one once i get insurance but ok at the moment. I passed for a two year he said. I have been working out and doing cardio. I have a large neck so that is the issue. I dont wake up or breathe funny when I sleep per my spouse.

So heres the question. Its for a Wi company that starts with R and has red Freightshakers LOL.

I passed but did not get to see the card as they send it in. He said it was for a two year and that I should look into the test when I have insurance. Would that info be on the paperwork sent to my new company? Or is it I wouldnt have been given a pass if it is a concern?

I have no health insurance and I cannot afford a sleep study.

Should I worry?

Thanks all

Yoda

 

Was there anything writen on the actual long form physical? If not, there is nothing to worry about. Doctors do not normally write anything like < i have talked to this driver so and so and have consulted with him to take a sleep study test down the road> All the clinic will do is fax or send a copy by mail of your long form physical and your med card to your company. Do not worry, enjoy your ride with the company.

 

I forgot to mention that you can ask your safety dept. or the clinic for a copy of your long form.

 

Didnt see the long form sadly. Just asked if i got a 2 year and he said yes.
He put it like I should have it done before my next DOT test. Which i would actually be ok with if I wasnt fitting the whole bill. I need insurance. The way he put it I dont think he put it on the long form as "really should have" as he would have told me then to go get it first right?

Thanks for responding

 

You have nothing to worry about, the way the doc told you is the same way my doc would talk to me during a physical, if the doc wanted you to take the sleep test first, he/she would give you just a 3 month medical card until you get tested and the results sent back to them. again, nothing to worry about. I would wait though until you get ins. before the test, they are expensive as are the new cpap machines because they have chips in them that can be taken out to download your useage for compliance.

 

Sleep Apnea is a hot buzzword in the industry now. Doesn't mean it isn't a serious thing, but doctors mention it I think just to cover their own butts sometime.
Try losing a few pounds so your weight is decently below the BMI index. If you're 15 lbs below the threshold, most doctors don't consider the neck size.
It's when your neck AND BMI are high that they become more concerned.

 

My next concern is the company. Will they take one look at my neck and have the same thought?

 

Im above the BMI and have a big neck but in a crash diet and excersize program

 

Curious also as to why they dont give me the long form? Or card and mail it in instead?

 

Clinics will not give the driver his/her long form, it has to go straight to the company, it's like that no matter where you go to drive. It's hit or miss if the clinic will give you your med.card. Are you going through any more orientation? if so they will give it to you later. again, it could be company policy. It seems that the carrier you are going with, it's there way of doing business, nothing new.