CPAP While Driving

Does anyone use their machine while driving? And I mean while sitting in the driver’s seat and driving? Does the machine have any benefits to someone who is awake, like helping oxygenate and stay more alert?

Does anyone use their machine while driving? And I mean while sitting in the driver’s seat and driving? Does the machine have any benefits to someone who is awake, like helping oxygenate and stay more alert?

I’ve thought about doing it to get my time in, then sleeping without it.

I don’t think it will help you that way, but mine is keeping me awake more than anything

There were days I used mine while awake in my bunk, it helped me get used to it early on. These days, I only use it while asleep. because the cpap cannot tell of you're awake or not, it can only detect if you're wearing the mask or not. At least mine works that way.

Bruce,

This is my two cents, given Jamie's comment that the CPAP does not know whether your asleep or not, just if you are wearing it.

You've got 30 days based on your post in the other thread. See if you can get used to sleeping with it as follows:

Go to bed at 8:00 p.m. wearing it. If you fall asleep and sleep for 8 hours great. If not, wear it until 4:00 a.m., take it off and sleep until noon. The CPAP will indicate you wore if for 8 hours either way.

Good luck and I am really glad to hear that you are still in the game.

Hypothetically you could use it the minimum 4 hours that's required while driving. People may never know you werent using it properly. HOWEVER, if you're ever in an accident lawyers will look at compliance and I'm sure these machines log what time you were using it and the duration. I've heard from numerous sources that a driver that isn't compliant if CPAP is required will be charged with vehicular manslaughter if a fatality occurs. I'd suggest having your cpap on for 4 hours. If you are still awake then take it off and try again the next day. Since you're going home do what my sleep dr had suggested. The first week or so use it sit on the couch and wear it to become comfortable with it

I agree with Rob T, insurance companies and investigators get paid to assess liability..... just like the guy who thinks they are smarter than the law and can get away with the perfect crime. I am sure the cpap registers day and time used, verify that time as sleeper time. I wouldn’t focus on trying to get around the rules and try to get comfy with use so you can get compliant. Not to sound like a A-Hole, but just honest feedback.

Yes, I realize you can’t cheat on compliance. It’s a simple thing for companies to match up CPAP usage time with driving time. My question pertained more to whether the machine would contribute to driver alertness if used while driving.

It makes me wonder if the CPAP machine would be more effective if there was a small oxygen canister connected to it, like mountain climbers use in the Himalayas. Oxygen therapy is used in the medical field quite a lot and there is a ton of info on the internet about its benefits.

A driver requiring oxygen would quickly be disqualified from driving, oxygen also requires a prescription from a physician.

A driver requiring oxygen would quickly be disqualified from driving, oxygen also requires a prescription from a physician.

Susan, I’m not talking about a driver requiring oxygen, rather using it like a gaseous cup of coffee. In football games, we regularly see players using oxygen on the sidelines. I don’t think they need a prescription to do so, or do they?

Try 10 mg of melatonin. It is s natural substance already present in your body so it won’t affect a drug test, taken before bed does not leave you groggy, but promotes better sleep.

I use it if I have trouble falling asleep.

My problem isn’t falling asleep, I’m usually so tired that is easy, cpap or not. I keep waking up all night.

I force myself to keep it on 4 hours, then ditch it and finish the night.