Sleep studies/cpap machine

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Beer guy73, Aug 29, 2019.

  1. iceman32

    iceman32 Medium Load Member

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    it really has to do with weight management and being the right weight. The bigger you are, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood around the body. If you’ve seen the 250 pound bodybuilders in YouTube, they all sound like they’re desperately gasping for air.

    One thing you can ask doctors is cortisol medicine. Drive 600 miles and go to a clinic to check your cortisol levels, it will be off the charts. If you keep that hormone to the lowest level, it will automatically eliminate a lot of problems. Obesity, overweight, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, lower back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, low libido, the whole 9 yards bud!
     
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  3. 1951 ford

    1951 ford Road Train Member

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    According to my last study 2 years ago, I still have it. I did lose weight, but it's the way the test is administered that gets people. I'm a side sleeper, not a back sleeper, they force you to sleep on your back for the test. Between anatomy and gravity, it's a wonder anybody can pass it.
    I don't think I've had a single morning in the last couple years where I have woke up without a "Bad Facepiece Seal" alert (the red frown face) on the screen.
    I do agree it's a horribly flawed test and a scam. But if a person wants to keep a medical card, what are you going to do?
    I did ask my provider if there was a way around it. She said I could go somewhere else, that has no records for me, and lie about it. But, if you get in an accident and they start pulling records, they will find the previous diagnosis. At that point, you're screwed.
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    That's crazy. When I took my test, it was in a room almost like a motel room. Double bed with bathroom and nice tv on the wall. They told me to try to sleep like I normally did. Which is on my left side.
     
  5. 1951 ford

    1951 ford Road Train Member

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    They woke me up several times and made me roll back over onto my back. I had a discussion with the Dr about the test, how I was made to sleep, and how I felt it was a ######## test. He asked if I wanted to keep my medical card or not, as he didn't make the rules.
     
  6. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    They have people sleep on their back because that when sleep apnea is at it worse if someone has it. People with sleep apnea start sleeping on their side naturally. Because they don't sleep good on their backs. My understanding is if they let some sleep on side you might not have enough air pressure to keep airway open if you that person switches to their back. So they pick worse position for sleep apnea. Then someone can sleep on back or side with CPAP and it will fix the problem
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
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  7. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    No two year medical card for you. Ive been on the machine since 2007 and you only get 1 year.
     
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  8. ncmickey

    ncmickey Road Train Member

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    I went for my physical a few months ago and was told I needed a sleep study. I was so pissed cause I didn’t have any signs of sleep apnea. I never felt tired during the day.... or so I thought...
    I did a home sleep study. Picked up the equipment at the clinic, brought home, slept with it, dropped off the next day.
    Turns out I have severe sleep apnea. I stopped breathing more than 10 seconds on average of 43 times an hour! I thought it was all ########.... make up crazy medicine....
    I got the CPAP machine... also a Resmed like the other posters talked about.
    Took a few nights to get used to sleeping with it. Right away my apnea’s we’re down to a .5 an hr.
    I don’t feel any different during the day..... but #### if I don’t sleep SO much better. I used to have to get up to piss 2x a night. Now I don’t, not even once. I don’t have headaches during the day anymore either. I’m averaging 7.5 hours of sleep a night. More than I ever was getting...
    Call me a sucker.... but I’m sold...

    I had to show 30 days compliance when I got my new physical. Had to use 21 of 30 days at least 4 hrs. For a 70%..... I am at 98% over 6 hrs and 100% over 4 hrs.. Got a one year card. Oh well..... I sleep like a baby now!!!

    My father and both his brothers have sleep apnea. My father weighs 150 lbs and is 5’10. Both his brothers were less than 200 lbs. It’s not always because your fat....
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
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  9. iceman32

    iceman32 Medium Load Member

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    What’s your BMI and weight?

    some doctors practice a different philosophy. Like truckers who park and don’t park at the fuel island.

    some are strict about neck sizes.
     
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  10. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I am a side sleeper all my life even as a baby once I learned to do that. Sometimes upside down which is perfect. Sleeping on the back is reserved for being sick. Thats not welcome.

    My attitude is pretty set in stone. Who knows I might have it. But I am of that generation where if you aint sleeping grab a bottle until you take care of that problem. None of that hocus pocus.

    NOTE... this is strictly my thought. I could very well have a CPAP mask on and tomorrow morning sing it's praises. But Im too set in my ways. If there is a problem before morning light God can decide if he wants me or not. No biggie.
     
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  11. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    I’m going to guess that your BMI, neck size, etc. can warrant a visit to the sleep study center, but it does not mean you have sleep apnea. They need to prove that you do have it by recording your breathing and sleep stages, among other things.
     
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