Sleep Apnea is a big stumbling block when getting work as a truck driver

People don't like being called fat. That's what it boils down to. No matter how a doc beats around the bush or how polite their bedside manner is...that's what you're going to hear. People would rather talk about how sleep apnea is BS than admit that they have a weight problem.

 

if people dont like being called fat then they should work on that....I know I have been fat for a long time and I have been working on it, your right about how people dont like to admit to issues.

We had a driver on my fleet who didnt think he had apnea but he would down 5 hour energys nightly etc, recently he was forced to get tested with his physical and now he brags about getting full nights of sleep using a machine and how he is glad now that he was forced to do it.

 

Yup. I'm in the same boat. I worked in an office for 5+ years and had all sorts of excuses for why I didn't take care of myself better. When I picked the current job (I'm on my feet for 8+ hours a day)...I did so because I knew it would force me to deal with the issue. It would have been a LOT easier for me to just get a drop-and-hook gig and continue to scarf down unhealthy food.

 

I agree that there is fraud in the sleep apnea industry! But to make a blanket statement about sleep apnea being crap, is ignorant and unfounded. It is also an insult to the intelligence of those of us who have it!

 

I gained most of my weight when I was unemployed for awhile and I just sat around doing nothing all the time while still eating junk. When I first started driving I hit 306 lbs and told myself it was time to drop the weight, only got myself down to 248 so far but im still working on it and want to drop another 50.

 

Yup. People should insist on taking a REAL sleep study at a REAL sleep center. Not the BS "take this machine home and bring it back to us to download the results" thing, but a "go to a sleep clinic...get hooked up with wires...and get your sleep monitored for a night" thing. I'm talking a full-up neurological test...which a REAL sleep study is.

The concept of the sleep center that gives the test actually selling the CPAP and other equipment based on their own diagnosis (that's what I've seen people post here) just blows my mind.

 

Shame though that weight in and of itself doesnt mean you have it or dont. Lots of skinny, healthy weight people have it too.


Heres what I KNOW> I no longer have headaches when I wake up. I actually feel rested. I dont microsleep while driving (POV before cdl) I am no longer sore like I went ten rounds with Tyson. I have stopped snoring like a freigth train. Now when I do its because the air pressure needs reset to higher.

Thats what I KNOW>

 

BS... I don't think so... try again

 

When I went for my yearly physical at my primary, at the end, I get a fact sheet. On it is my height, weight and then my "category" regarding my weight. I am 5' 8.5" and at 176 lbs, and I am obese..???

When I look in the mirror, I really WANT TO SEE the obesity!

(I was at one time 190 lbs)

What does the medical profession want, skinny as a rail people?

 

use my CPAP every night.. feeling refreshed and ready to take on each day is great feeling.. sleep apnea is a serious issue no matter how many people think its a "scam" or what not .. BMI and neck size can create a false sample group.. know a friend who weighs about 190 6"2 .. but has OSA .. just my 2 cents