Fed Med Expiration Looming

Wow, Rick, that's some pretty heavy stuff, but I can see how critical it is for us to know it.

I'm going to obtain a CPAP machine on my own and get into compliance. My question is: Since my fed med expires on 07/07/19, do I have enough time to save my CDL license? And since the CPAP machine has to be monitored and it's use recorded, where should I look to purchase one? Pretty sure I'm not going to find one at Dollar General.

Thanks guys. I've already lost enough weight to get below the BMI limit, but like you say, I still need to deal with the remaining issues.

One thing helping is that I'm getting taller. I noticed that now I've gotten taller than my hair so I must still be growing!

The BMI doesnt matter anymore. You were already diagnosed which means you have to:

1) pay for another test with negative results saying you no longer have apnea

2) Provide 30 days compliance (this is what Prime requires. Another comoany may require more)

You could go in weighing 110 pounds but because you have a diagnosis on your record, you need a new test to remove it.

Wow, Rick, that's some pretty heavy stuff, but I can see how critical it is for us to know it.

I'm going to obtain a CPAP machine on my own and get into compliance. My question is: Since my fed med expires on 07/07/19, do I have enough time to save my CDL license? And since the CPAP machine has to be monitored and it's use recorded, where should I look to purchase one? Pretty sure I'm not going to find one at Dollar General.

This is a whole different issue. There are different machines for different types of apnea. I would find the same one you had at Schneider and buy that

Cardinal Sleep works with Prime, but interestingly enough, Cardinal is a major player in the apnea industry. Not only are they the largest Amazon seller, but the SoClean cleaning machine website recommends buying from Cardinal.

I think all CPAPs BiPaps, APAPs have SD card recording but not all.have the modems trucking companies require. Also, I would not know if different companies have different monitoring software.

Cardinal Sleep monitors mine and I call for them to send the records to Prime. If I changed companies, i could still use cardinal. They have arrangements with Prime to take the $1 per week monitoring charge out of my pay.

Call here and ask them. They do have an office at Prime, but they have multiple offices for the public. My guess is they will need to contact your sleep study doctor and get the Rx for the machine. Then they can sell you one, montior it, and provide the report for the DOT physical.

In the state of NJ you have 30 days past your expiration date to provide documents. they sent a letter claiming i did not provide my docs even though i had.

(417) 719 - 4267

Rainy said: "You could go in weighing 110 pounds but because you have a diagnosis on your record, you need a new test to remove it."

The only time I'll ever weigh 110 lbs. again is at some point during the cremation process.

I was 260 lbs and I'm down to 182 and I still have sleep apnea. So there's no guarantee that losing weight will rid you of sleep apnea.

Very true.

There are two forms of apnea, weoght cause and genetic. If someone previously tested negtive, but gained weight and tested positive....like me... i probay will test negative if i lose weight.

Someone who tested positive when thinner will most likely always test positive due to genetics.

This is one of rhe reasons that testing only overweight people seems disciminatory. Anyone can have genetic apnea.

Wow, Rick, that's some pretty heavy stuff, but I can see how critical it is for us to know it.

I'm going to obtain a CPAP machine on my own and get into compliance. My question is: Since my fed med expires on 07/07/19, do I have enough time to save my CDL license? And since the CPAP machine has to be monitored and it's use recorded, where should I look to purchase one? Pretty sure I'm not going to find one at Dollar General.

Even if you got the CPAP today - it's too late to get into compliance for your med card expiration. So go ahead and take the downgrade or switch to "Intrastate Exempt". I had considered this myself (exempt), but I have no precluding health issues, and a DOT Doc I've been using for years - basically, if you're breathing and can read an eye chart, you get a 2 year card. Though he does write LOSE WEIGHT on my long form comments.

You NEED A PRESCRIPTION to buy a CPAP, so go ahead and contact the place who did the sleep study and GET ONE. It's also safe to assume that the machine your employer got for you - is complaint, so that's a good starting point for look for one. If you currently have health insurance (even COBRA), you can likely get most if not all of the cost covered.

Much depends on HOW SOON you intend to get back on the road. By not getting INTO COMPLIANCE from the get-go, you've now created an additional burden for yourself to do so.

Keep in mind - again - if it in YOUR BEST INTERESTED HEALTH-WISE, if you have been diagnosed - to TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH, regardless of whether or not you plan on ever driving again.

You can google DOT Complaint CPAP Machines - but it is more than likely, the place that diagnosed you and give you the scrip, can give you a list of machines that are compliant.

Rick

I remember something about just needing 4 days of proper CPAP use to be compliant? Can't recall where I got that into my head.

I remember something about just needing 4 days of proper CPAP use to be compliant? Can't recall where I got that into my head.

No, it is usually 30 days of records before the DOT physical. What they want is 70% of your days must have at least of 4 hours of use per day per day. Once you get to 4 days without it, you get a call to check your machine for issues and ask why you are using it.

So if you started the CPAP today, June 8th, and got 30 days compliance, then had your physical on July 9th, you would be good to go.

I have no idea why someone earlier said 90 days. Any orientation I have seen asked for 30 days when starting at a company, and Prime requests 30 days both at orientation or at each DOT physical.

Appreciate all the info Rick, I will do whatever I have to do, to stay get in,and stay in the driver seat ! lol the ole "Suck it up buttercup" idealogy This Dr who did my DOT exam said, maybe another will say I need a CPAP We'll see when the time comes soon enough

Just a caution on compliance, as I learned this one the hard way...

(I think CPAP may be monitored regularly so this may not be relevant, but anyway...)

Proof of compliance can be required at any time! The FMCSA did NOT require it but allows the company to demand a new Fed. Med. following an injury which interferres with the Driver's ability to perform his job duties.

I now test my blood sugar 3x / day so I can get a new MCSA-5870 form (which requires 90 days of data) at any time. I lost one job as a result of not having the data. That will not happen again!

(Of course given my subsequent cancer diagnosis and need for surgery, that actually proved to be a blessing as it meant better insurance coverage and much lower costs to me).

TAKE-AWAY: Medical compliance and ability to demonstrate same is ONGOING, NOT "ONCE AND DONE!"