a truck driver's questions

driverdale · Post by **driverdale** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:21 am

I drive an 18 wheeler over the road. My sleep study is scheduled for next Wed. Preliminary indications are that a cpap is in my future. Any other truck drivers here? Can you maintain your CDL and still work while using a cpap?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:43 am

Welcome to the forum, Dale.

I'm not a truck driver, but I believe there are a number of other members (here) that are. I once ran across a forum FOR truck drivers that had a special section for CPAP users to discuss their situations. I'm sorry I didn't bookmark that forum, so I can't give you a link to it at this moment.....but it may not be hard to find.

It's my interpretation that you CAN maintain your CDL.....as long as you remain compliant on your therapy.
It's actually the UN-diagnosed and non-compliant drivers that are the big problem with regard to this affliction.

Best wishes,

Den

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:08 am

I have a school bus driver that has sleep apnea. It is an issue whenever he renews his license, but they have always renewed it (Wisconsin). I think it takes a note from the doctor that the apnea is treatred and under control, but I am not possitive. I know the rules are diffferent for school bus drivers, but they are ussually stricter.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:02 pm

Yes, the laws vary from state to state. In Nevada sleep apnea needs to be reported to DMV if patient is noncompliant with treatment. I began to think when I heard this- if a person is noncompliant with treatment they're probably not running to the doctor to be followed very closely.

racefan · Post by **racefan** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:04 pm

Dale, I'm a truck driver & have not had a problem with either my CDL or my medical card due to apnea. P.S. It has made a WORLD of difference in my driving life. GOOD LUCK!

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:13 pm

Seems to me that a non-treated OSA patient would be a possible danger driving a truck or a car? Why single out the truck drivers?Guess it's the physical part of the CDL that examines an OSA patient so closely since a regular driver license require no physical.

buckeyered · Post by **buckeyered** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:46 pm

Hi Dale,

What state are you in? When does your physical card expire? It can take
a year to become compliant and you must tell the DOT on your physical
form even if you ARE compliant. Some states (Ohio for one) will make you
take a sleep study at your cost at their Dr. every year. Do not tell
your sleep Dr you are a truck driver my sleep Dr. has threatened me
more than once to get compliant even though he only offered one mask to try.
I have tried several masks, nasal surgery, and dental devices for over
a year and I am still not compliant. I received my new dental device
today and hopefully it will at least keep my mouth closed so I can wear
a nasal mask. Depending on how often your insurance pays for a mask you
can go a year before you find one that works with you if you are a mouth
breather. Hopefully your CDL is not from Ohio and you get a good sleep
Dr. that wants to help you and has several masks for you to try. The
only good thing that comes out of all of this while on the road is you
get a medical device waiver that allows you to ignore idle laws, just
make sure when they start knocking you open the door with your mask on.
I don't drive OTR anymore but when I did I had a sign made and put it in
the window saying engine running to power medical device and put a copy
of the waiver next to it and they wont even knock (or pound) on your
sleeper.

RickSt · Post by **RickSt** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:28 pm

I'm a driver and I have several friends who are drivers and are on cpap. I don't recall it ever being brought up when I went for my last physical. If it was then it was marked as treated. My machine goes with me everywhere I go over night. I agree that those of us on cpap are probably safer then a lot of those who aren't.

Being on cpap therapy is a positive when it comes to safety, not a negative. I've seen others who know nothing about trucking scare drivers through their ignorance of the industry and the rules.

Rick

buckeyered · Post by **buckeyered** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:53 pm

It is on your physical application, when the clinic asks you all the questions you always say no to and you sign, it's not on the long form. When you say yes to the question do you suffer from a sleep disorder? are you know or have you ever been treated for a sleep disorder? this is when the clinic asks for you letter of compliance from your sleep Dr. when you produce this the clinic issues your card but then forwards everything to the DOT for evaluation, if you do not produce a letter of compliance then you don't get a new card and they inform DOT, this starts the revoking process. Sure it's much easier to just answer no, but then you better hope you dont have an accident and they find out you lied.
So I guess it depends on what state you are in as to how they handle it but I can assure in Ohio if you do answer yes (I am the only one I know that did answer yes) it brings on a lot of heartache. I lost my job of 10 years, I cant get any work making what I was making I am ready to loose my house and car, my insurance runs out in Dec. Take what I say with a grain of salt, but my suggestion would be renew your physical before your sleep test even if it is not due, pay for it yourself to keep your employer out of it, do not tell your sleep Dr. you are a truck driver. Doing this will buy you a couple of years to get compliant.

AltPwrPuffer · Post by **AltPwrPuffer** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:03 am

Dale,

Some info for a perspective, hitting the road at 3am for a 4 hour run before my turn around, I found that many nights I would require a "15 min powernap" to make it. Then I had a bad case of broncitus and things got worse! I started blacking out and couldnt make it past 45 minutes at a time without a nap! When I woke up past the rumble strip on the shoulder with my rig I knew I had to do something!

I sought out a pulmanary doctor who set me up for sleep study and then told me to stop driving! Well that wasnt going to happen with the sleep study more than a month away! The reason I had asked for his help was to solve my problem, which I had under control knowing how far I could go before needing rest, he was not a supportive sort and he cut me loose after the sleep study saying he didnt need to see me anymore. I had to deal with my CPAP machine with no help! I finally got a new doc that is understanding and helpful. Be careful on the doctor you select, it could be a big problem for your career.

Now to the good part, I now make the trip without any need for naps! The daytime warm sun drowsies are gone with nomore fear of falling asleep! As far as the medical, I use my regular doctor for them. I check the sleep disorder box and then he adds his compliance notes on the bottom and I havent had any problems, the hypertension has been a bigger problem since they lowered the numbers to 140/90.

My runs generally allow me to be home most nights but when I stay out overnight I run my machine in the truck with an inverter.

Don't let this cpap thing defeat you before it begins, to me it has been just another thing to make work and with time you adjust to it just like anything else that we as truck drivers have to deal with. When you hose up take control and don't be a victim and you will succeed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:28 pm

Typical truck driver. More concerned about himself than those around him on the road.

racefan · Post by **racefan** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:53 pm

Anonymous wrote:Typical truck driver. More concerned about himself than those around him on the road.

I sure hope you are just being a smart ass. If not, why don't you have the guts to sign in under your name?

buckeyered · Post by **buckeyered** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:57 pm

Typical truck driver? Not sure what you are getting at.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:18 pm

I'm not a truck driver, but my sleep doc did ask me if I was drowsy while driving. He said let me explain before you answer. I ask this because I'm supposed to report you to the DMV if you say yes, so I hope you say the right answer. Of course my answer was NO.

If my livelihood were involved I would never answer yes to a sleep disorder for a trucker. Nor would I tell my doctor I drive for a living. Honesty is not the best policy if it bites you in the ***. My argument to justify it to myself? While I sleep with a CPAP I'm NOT suffering sleep apneas, so no sleep disorder as long as I'm using my CPAP.
Dave

myboards · Post by **myboards** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:20 pm

Oops forgot to sign it for the last post.
Dave

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)