Sleep Apnea And Medical Card

Topic 11780 | Page 1

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KH's Comment
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Ok, I've searched and read some threads on the topic of apnea, but I didn't read them all, so I apologize if this exact question has been answered. Anyway, here's my story: I passed my medical exam before starting cdl school, but after reading the guidelines on sleep apnea , I believe they should have required me to have sleep test based on my bmi. It was a busy walk-in clinic and 5 of us showed up at once for physicals, so i think i might have slipped through (they did measure my height weight and neck size). So now that I have my license and am looking for a job, I'm wondering what would happen if I went to a company that does their own physical. If they decide I need to be tested does that invalidate the card I have? If I go to get tested myself and I have sleep apnea, is that something I would have to report to someone, and would it make me ineligable to drive? I'm not against being tested or using a cpap machine if I have sleep apnea, I'm just wondering if it could cause a delay in starting a job.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Sleep Apnea:

A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.

In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.

It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.

BMI:

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:

  • Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
  • Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit

It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.

CPAP:

Constant Positive Airway Pressure

CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.

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