Got To Get A Sleep Study Done
Topic 24066 | Page 7
Look at Jamie's case. He passed his physical and was later informed by his Dispatcher he needed it done.
I'm actually glad I got it done and found out I had sleep apnea. Because I never realized how fatigue I was all the time, always felt tired no matter day or night. But now that I've had it a few months, I have more energy that's for sure and I don't feel tired all the time anymore.
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.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Jamie, where you waking up like in a panic because you couldn’t breath? Just curious.
I had my sleep test last night and of course I was told it was positive. I’m supposed to go out on the road tomorrow morning but I had to agree to buy their $1400 CPAP machine before I’d be allowed to drive.
Is that a reasonable cost for a machine? Or is this a racket ? And how does a driver get approved to stop using the machine if he gets his BMI down, etc.?
You don't have Schneider insurance? I have it for me and my wife, but it paid for the CPAP machine and everything along with it and any future replacements I need such as masks, etc.
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.
Jamie-
As a person who has done the sleep study, it's not the most pleasant evening or night but it's tolerable. They will find out how many times you wake up during the night. And may have you change masks. The mask I have is a ResMed Air Fit P10 Nasal Air Pillows. In other words they are just for going in the nose not a full mask. Not that I could have a full mask with a beard. But once you get used to it (a couple of nights at most), it's tolerable.
i don't remember if Rainy still uses one or not. But she also had this cleaning machine which was pretty cool.
So maybe it will work for you?
That's the one I just bought about 4 months ago, it's the BEST JERRY, THE BEST!
Jamie, where you waking up like in a panic because you couldn’t breath? Just curious.
Obviously not jamie but.... for the longest time I'd wake up atleast twice in middle of the night (never bathroom related) and most times my heart beating like crazy. My snoring has gone away when I'm using my machine as well. One other thing it helped with that I never thought much of was almost everytime I'd lay down in bed with the wife she didnt want to lay together because my muscles would twitch and I'd jolt awake because it felt like I was falling as I was falling asleep. This has completely stopped if I wear my mask. Sure its awkward having the mask and hose if I'm laying with her but atleast she isn't being kept awake from my body forcing me to wake up so I dont freaking die.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Rob T, agreed the last sentence is the most important.
Jamie, where you waking up like in a panic because you couldn’t breath? Just curious.
It was never that bad, but I did wake up randomly throughout the night. I always thought it was my bed or something, but ever since I got the CPAP machine, I don't wake up unless it's bathroom related or to roll over or something.
because my muscles would twitch and I'd jolt awake because it felt like I was falling as I was falling asleep.
My body used to do this as well, right as I was falling asleep my body would twitch really hard and I'll wake up. It only ever happened as I was falling asleep.
I haven't noticed it in awhile and my wife hasn't told me anything. She used to tell me when it happened. So I can't comment if the CPAP machine helped with that or not, but I'm glad it doesn't happen anymore!
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.
I got mine a year ago.and hated it. It prevented me.from.sleeping and for 6 mos I was completely congested to the point where i had to keep.waking and pulling it off to breathe. it sucked.
You will see posts here where i moaned and everyone told.me it was.for the best, but honestly, it was HELL. I never had that deep sleep, well rested feeling from it. i still dont. I was exhausted all the time AFTER i got it, worse than when i was in training. Brett and a few others said i needed to get used to it or use the humidifier for the congestion, or keep changing masks....masks which cost $150 each.
It seriously made me feel like something was wrong with me cause everyone else raved about the CPAPs and i felt worse. Ironically, my mother told me she never saw me so well rested and upbeat as when i started trucking. Im a napper, and trucking allows me to sleep a few hours then drive then sleep a few hours. That helped me. Then i got the machine and she saw the difference...i looked beaten down and tired.
When the summer came my congestion went away and that helps. I have had 3 different masks and i dont really have a preference but have noticed with colds i rather not have the full mouth and nose one. when i get congested i have to sleep sitting up or i choke.
the SoClean machine is like $300 but toally worth it to make cleaning easy! no lugging around parts into the shower. Not cleaning the machine properly will kill you just as quickly as the apnea itself.
My new years resolution is to lose weight and ditch the machine lol My whole life i dreamed in color and marathon long dreams like a movie. As soon as i started on the machine, the dreams stopped. Now i only dream when i dont use it. and most people wont understand this...but it feels.like a part of me died. it literally stole my dreams away.
I dont want to discourage you but it is important to know that if you dont have a great reaction to it, you are not alone or some weird mutant freak. well..i dont know maybe i am a little freaky. lol
Absolutely. I am more tired now than I ever was without it. I wake up at least once an hour, usually suffocating because the truck shut power off to the outlet or something.
One night I dreamed someone was spraying me in the face with a hose, and sure enough, woke up to water spraying out of the cpap hose. No idea why.
I hate it, and it is making things worse, rather than helping. I had way more energy before I got it.
And I agree, it is a scam.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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DOT Physical DOT Physical Exemptions Health Concerns Life On The Road Sleep Apnea
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All of how you feel doesnt amount to anything to the doctor. I can tell you that you fit some risk factors which WILL get you sent for a sleep study. Honestly I went out on my own and got a sleep study done because I fit the risk factors. I'd rather get it done on my terms than be sidelined waiting to be compliant. I actually had to wait an additional 30 days after I was offered a position with a new company due to needing to be compliant with cpap before I'd be given a new medical card.
it doesnt matter. If you have risk factors you will get sent for the test. It'll avoid a hassle in the future. You may fly under the radar the first time but eventually you will need it done. There are doctors that are known to be more lenient with sleep study referrals but the company doctor you get sent to surely will not be one. Look at Jamie's case. He passed his physical and was later informed by his Dispatcher he needed it done. If you're told you need it done just do it. If you dont have it, great. If you do you can begin treatment. It just may save your life.
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.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.