MEDICAL CARD ISSUE...what To Do??
Topic 28195 | Page 1
I had lost my medical card due to high blood sugar. Was home for about 8 or 9 months. Went on Nutrisystem and exercised to get my weight and blood sugar down. By lowering my BMI and neck size, I did not have to do the sleep study. I think the maximum neck size is 16.5 inches. It is important for us to keep our weight under control out here. I hope this helps. Good luck.
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.
It's possible to lose weight so you don't need the sleep apnea test but if the risk factors (BMI,neck size, blood pressure) are still present you'll be denied any card. I use a CPAP and it's made me feel more refreshed when I wake up. I know the cost of the sleep study and the machine is expensive but there are many health benefits to getting meaningful rest. I've talked to male drivers with a BMI of 33 and were still flagged for a sleep study despite not having a 17 inch neck (16.5 for women). I'm overweight myself so I'm not criticizing you by any means, but if you weren't able to maintain a healthy weight on the road how do you plan to not only maintain but lose it? It's definitely possible but it takes a lot of will power. I wish you the best of luck. Keep in mind the 3 month card is a one time thing.
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.
(I could kick myself).....Dr issued me a 3 month card and advised the sleep apnea study. Ive always been "plump" but healthy and this is my first time ever dealing with a Dr trying to label me as "unhealthy." Plus the cost of the sleep apnea study is very expensive.
What should I do? (Thanks in advance)
The full sleep study in the sleep lab is not necessary. There is also a "home sleep study" that is self-administered ... the doctor's office (some doctors, not all) issues you the device to take home and you wear it over your head and it records your brain waves and monitors your end-expiration Oxygen and CO2 levels. It is much cheaper to get that done. Google it and find out where in your area you could get it done for a fraction of the cost. Most insurance companies, as far as I know, cover it. One of the companies that manufactores those portable devices is called Watermark...
https://join.sleepgroupsolutions.com/dental-ce-products/sleepmed-ares/
Hope it helps.
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.
Dm:
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.New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
(I could kick myself).....Well, I was all set to start training with Swift next week, I told the recruiter my DoT med card was expiring in 3 weeks so she sent me approval to my local clinic to get my DOT physical. I'm over 42yo and my blood pressure bottom number was just 5 points over guidelines. So to my disappointment the Dr issued me a 3 month card and advised the sleep apnea study. Ive always been "plump" but healthy and this is my first time ever dealing with a Dr trying to label me as "unhealthy." Plus the cost of the sleep apnea study is very expensive. I honestly don't want to do the study because I know it's my weight....over the past 9 months I have gained 43 pounds. Yes, I know it's my fault!!! So my question is can I NOT do the study and just lose weight within the next 3 months, then go take another physical over???
What should I do? (Thanks in advance)
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.