forced to use cpap machine

[ram10]

I am a truck driver (for now). I passed my DOT sleep test by staying under the guideline numbers. however, I voluntarily started using the cpap machine to see if there would be a difference. there was. I can't concentrate, I'm constantly tired, and I wake up in a fog that lasts all day. the next part is even better. because I have the cpap machine I am told it is now mandatory that I use it and that I am monitored as I use it via radio transmitter and that I will lose my job if I do not. if I had not voluntarily agreed to try the machine I would not be in this situation. it seems like the side effects are far worse than the problem that was never a problem.

[49er]

I am a truck driver (for now). I passed my DOT sleep test by staying under the guideline numbers. however, I voluntarily started using the cpap machine to see if there would be a difference. there was. I can't concentrate, I'm constantly tired, and I wake up in a fog that lasts all day. the next part is even better. because I have the cpap machine I am told it is now mandatory that I use it and that I am monitored as I use it via radio transmitter and that I will lose my job if I do not. if I had not voluntarily agreed to try the machine I would not be in this situation. it seems like the side effects are far worse than the problem that was never a problem.

Hi ram10,

If I remember correctly, you can pass a DOT test if you have mild apnea, right? Please correct me if I am wrong about that.

I am curious, why did you decide to use the machine? Did you have symptoms pointing that way?

Regarding you being forced to use it, is there a process of appeal that you can go through? However, I would keep in mind that if you truly do have apnea and I am not clear by your post whether you do or not, that you do need treatment because not doing anything will make things alot worse.

You might want to use the link in my signature to fill out your equipment profile and post about the specific issues you are having. Many members are very knowledgeable and would be happy to help.

49er

PS - Edit - Ram10, I saw your other post about having an AHI of 13.5. Even though you have mild apnea, depending on your O2 level and how long your apneas are, that can be as bad as someone who severe apnea. Please do what you can to make therapy work.

[archangle]

How long have you been using the CPAP machine?

Do you sleep well? Any particular problems?

Let me suggest you download the sleepyhead program and read the data on your SD card to look at the data your machine collects and see if you can figure out what's wrong.

[Wulfman...]

I am a truck driver (for now). I passed my DOT sleep test by staying under the guideline numbers. however, I voluntarily started using the cpap machine to see if there would be a difference. there was. I can't concentrate, I'm constantly tired, and I wake up in a fog that lasts all day. the next part is even better. because I have the cpap machine I am told it is now mandatory that I use it and that I am monitored as I use it via radio transmitter and that I will lose my job if I do not. if I had not voluntarily agreed to try the machine I would not be in this situation. it seems like the side effects are far worse than the problem that was never a problem.

Sounds to me like you have everything configured incorrectly.

How about adding some more information to your profile so we can take some educated guesses as to why. Pressure and humidifier settings would help quite a bit. Also, the amount of time you're sleeping, how long you've been using it, etc., etc.


Den

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[jencat824]

ram10,

If you had an AHI of 13.5, you have OSA and by any DOT guidelines I'm aware of, you must use CPAP. If you had an AHI under 5, you would not. I don't think there is any gray area, but I could be wrong. My husband drives (local) & he willingly went for a sleep test, has OSA & has been CPAP compliant since Dec. 2012. Its not always easy, but if you get a mask that doesn't leak & commit to keeping the mask on all night, it should get better. My hubby feels better with CPAP, but had a very unfortunate problem in the spring, the new regs will no longer allow any kind of sleep aid, so he had to give up his sleeping pill. He has really bad insomnia & is still struggling, but is getting better with herbals, however the DOT guidelines can sometimes bite truckers in the butt.

The flip side of the coin is public safety. I totally understand why the DOT is doing all this - its to keep the roads safer. Some of the rules on hours still need some tweeking (and some companies should abide by the rules), but although it bites, the bottom line is the DOT is going to get their way, so you might as well get the benefit of good health while you are at it.

Jen

[purple]

If you did not have a competent, overnite sleep study, with someone sharp to read the test, and instead are depending on the auto feature of a machine, then sounds like you have the wrong settings, which could easily make your symptoms worse. The lower pressures on my machine, which are sometimes used with a machine on Auto as a thinking it can substitute as an personal titration, would make feel like I was suffocating. Might be if you tell the folks here what your pressures are, and post data, then they might help adjust the machine.