Sleep Apnea

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by missjane, Apr 3, 2014.

  1. missjane

    missjane Light Load Member

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    When I returned home from my physical at Concentra I was pretty pissed of so I called back and asked to speak to a manager. I flat-out asked if they got a kickback and was told they didn't. I was finally informed that I could go anywhere I wanted.

    I don't know why I need a sleep study just to go to CDL school; it isn't as if I will be driving at night or will doze off while there are others in the cab. Heck, I could be done with school by now and ready to work.

    In any case, since I don't have insurance I have been looking for free/low-cost options and found a group online called Awake in America that will pay for sleep studies if you're income eligible. I have downloaded the application, will fill in the blanks and hope for the best.
     
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  3. truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

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    Last I heard Awake in America was pretty much out of business.

    You may have better luck with the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.

    Phoenix Sleep Solutions does inexpensive home sleep studies. . They were at the MATS truck show in Louisville. Home studies will be about $ 300.
     
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  4. GabeScott

    GabeScott Medium Load Member

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    You are correct, the only thing that the regs currently state about sleep apnea is that a driver may not operate a vehicle with untreated sleep apnea. If you are under doctor's care and following his medical advice then you are complying with the regs.
     
  5. Drac1985

    Drac1985 Medium Load Member

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    Thankfully my regular physician arranged to have the sleep study done at my house. They show up with a machine and spend all the time you need to understand how you use it. Basically you wear it for 2 nights and they come and pick it up and take it back to their clinic where a Doctor reviews all the data including all the notes the delivery technician took. Age, Height, Weight, Physical activity are all taken into consideration.

    The results were well within the normal range. As my Doctor put it, "Some of the Concentra doctors finished 30th in a class of 35..The final straw was a day after my exam. I get a call from their records keeper and she asks me to elaborate on the chest surgery I had 2 years ago. I was still pissed so my response was " Tell that fat doctor to get her hearing checked, I told her I had the surgery when I was 2 YEARS OLD..
     
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  6. wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Are these Phoenix $300 studies able to provide a person proof good enough for DOT that they do not have sleep apnea or are they only able to diagnose positive results. I have heard that some of the cheaper home tests don't and if you come back negative they refer you to a sleep lab for further testing. They save you money if you know you have it but not if you don't.
     
  7. Sleeptester

    Sleeptester Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2014
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    I was compelled to join this forum. My dad was an otr for years, and he put me through school running the interstates... As a respiratory therapist and sleep expert ( >20 yrs. ) .
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 13, 2014
  8. rubberducky68

    rubberducky68 Road Train Member

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    It is a scam. I am not saying it does not exist at all but the problem is not as big as they make it out to be. I am 5-11 and weigh 175# and have a 15 inch neck. You can look at me and tell I am a pencil neck geek yet they still break out the tape measure when I go get my physical? Tell me it ain't a scam...
     
  9. rubberducky68

    rubberducky68 Road Train Member

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    And our DOT physicals are done at Concentra...imagine that!
     
  10. missjane

    missjane Light Load Member

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    At least you had a doctor. My exam was performed by a physician's assistant who I believe was from Africa and had an attitude problem.
     
  11. CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    Crete Carriers will put you thru an apnea test on their dime. If you have it then they will pay for machine and deduct money from your check every week for the machine.
     
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