Sleep Apnea And Your CDL

I agree falcon, just doesn't seem to be any concrete evidence during these DOT exams to warrant any Dr to make someone go pay 100's of dollars for a sleep study test. If my personal Dr tells me I need a test for something, he has an explanation why, and if I don't want the test, I don't get it. I trust my Dr so, I would research it and make my choice than but, the DOT Dr. doesn't even know me and sending me to get a sleep study, based on falling asleep in front of a tv or because I weigh 400lbs is just ludicrous..

Again, I have never been asked any questions about my sleeping habits and have never been suggested to a sleep study. My comments are based one other peoples posting's.

 

I want to tell you that I do not know more than the doctor but the study is set up for heavy set people such as myself and if you do not believe me then why does it only pertain to people who have a larger neck and a BMI of a higher %. It is not even a requirement but the dr. seems to think that they can not give you a medical card until you go have a sleep $tudy done. If you don't then no medical card and no job. If it where up to me I would go to my family doctor and get it done but the company will not accept them. It is a money racket and they know it so that is why they can tell you to go get the study done. As I said before the doctor that does our physicals has a family member in it. Sounds fishy to me.

 

I could not agree more. I have so many stories that proof of your statement that I cannot share lest it detracts from the OP subject matter. The contacted the company that wants to hire me and according to them I passed the exam and they are going forward with the hiring paperwork. I told them about the Doctor only issuing a 3 month card and the sleep study suggestion and the fact that I was going to see my personal physician. They had no problem with that and will accept his findings.

 

Who's got time to do all that? There's miles to be driven.

 

So what are you suggesting?

 

You can pm me with it I believe.

 

Spammer is no longer with us!

 

That was such a crap link

 

Good! Thanks!

 

I just experienced this same problem, I'm an older fella in my late 40's and decided that a job change was in order so I decided that trucking was the way to go always wanted to do it and the jobs have benefits so off to dmv I go, got a one year med card (doc said due to high blood pressure he'd only go on year till next time around then if blood pressure was ok he'd go 2 years) picked up my learners permit and off to school, did my time at the school got my class a licence and started calling around for a job, had a trucking company call and hit the road for orientation thinking to myself this wasn't so bad. Once getting to orientation it was off to the clinic for the clinic for a dot physical, after the physical the doc said that since I was a big fella that I would have to go for a sleep study and that he would only give me a 3 month card. I told him that I already had a card that was good for a year and he basically said it didn't matter that I'd have to get a sleep study. Back to the company they told me there was nothing they could do until I took care of this sleep study thing. Once I got back home I went to my doctor and he set up an appointment for me. Now here's the kicker, the appointment is 5 months away and the company won't hire me without the test. So even though I have no trouble (that I know of) sleeping and have never fallen asleep behind the wheel, I'm not even the type of person who wants to take a nap during the day I have to pay for this sleep study to get a job. I've worked construction all my life so no insurance this is all out of pocket plus my school loans will be popping up before this study even gets done. Do all companies require this will some allow you to drive until the appointment date comes around. Sitting at home for 5 months is not really an option. It's pretty sad to be profiled for something that you show no signs of having other than being overweight and having a large neck. Sorry for making this so long lol any advice would be appreciated or tips on other companies that are not so hard on this. I plan on keeping this appointment so I'm not trying to get anything over just trying to get behind the wheel and start earning.