Driving trucks with Sleep Apnea

[jedimark]

Not sure if anyone else posted this, but anyway..

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breakin ... 6564986999

If you drive any kinda of vehicle, heavy or not, with an untreated sleep disorder, you're a tragedy waiting to happen.

[DiverCTHunter]

Here in the States the Dept. of Transportation has the right to cancel your CDL if you go non-complaint data once you're diagnosed. I'm not saying it's wrong or right, but it's considered a matter of public safety.

[jedimark]

Here in the States the Dept. of Transportation has the right to cancel your CDL if you go non-complaint data once you're diagnosed. I'm not saying it's wrong or right, but it's considered a matter of public safety.

Have similar stuff here, it just seems to be a problem with some of the local heavy rig drivers getting it.

It seems every week I hear about some truckie falling asleep while driving and wiping out an entire family.

I know some of it is from being overworked and pressured to keep ridiculous deadlines. But it all boils down to being deprived of good sleep :-/

Just makes me sad because the poor truckies have to live with it for the rest of their lives, along with the families and friends of those snuffed out. Simple CPAP treatment would of saved these lives.

[jlaber]

I'm a truck driver in the U.S. with sleep apnea, and I have no problem with driving. I just have to get a printout from my DME showing compliance with using the machine and show that to the doctor when I get my yearly DOT physical. The machine works no problem in the truck with an inverter. Plus, the compliance level is easy, I just have to use it 4 hours a night, 7 out of every 10 nights, and my treated AHI only has to be below 20. Truckers should not be scared of sleep apnea, it's easy to stay compliant with treatment and keep your medical card and license. The doctor even gave me a three month grace period to keep driving while I got tested, got set up with the machine, and proved 30 days of initial compliance.
Justin

[jedimark]

I'm a truck driver in the U.S. with sleep apnea, and I have no problem with driving. I just have to get a printout from my DME showing compliance with using the machine and show that to the doctor when I get my yearly DOT physical. The machine works no problem in the truck with an inverter. Plus, the compliance level is easy, I just have to use it 4 hours a night, 7 out of every 10 nights, and my treated AHI only has to be below 20. Truckers should not be scared of sleep apnea, it's easy to stay compliant with treatment and keep your medical card and license. The doctor even gave me a three month grace period to keep driving while I got tested, got set up with the machine, and proved 30 days of initial compliance.
Justin

We need more good examples like you

[Hose_Head]

I'm a truck driver in the U.S. with sleep apnea, and I have no problem with driving. I just have to get a printout from my DME showing compliance with using the machine and show that to the doctor when I get my yearly DOT physical. The machine works no problem in the truck with an inverter. Plus, the compliance level is easy, I just have to use it 4 hours a night, 7 out of every 10 nights, and my treated AHI only has to be below 20. Truckers should not be scared of sleep apnea, it's easy to stay compliant with treatment and keep your medical card and license. The doctor even gave me a three month grace period to keep driving while I got tested, got set up with the machine, and proved 30 days of initial compliance.
Justin

Wow. Does this mean that a driver with diagnosed apnea with ahi < 20 does not need treatment in order to keep his/her license?

I'm not feeling much comfort in the fact that the truck driver beside me on the road might have such a low level of treatment or compliance for SA. Personally, I'd be a basket case with those numbers.

[jlaber]

Wow. Does this mean that a driver with diagnosed apnea with ahi < 20 does not need treatment in order to keep his/her license?

I'm not feeling much comfort in the fact that the truck driver beside me on the road might have such a low level of treatment or compliance for SA. Personally, I'd be a basket case with those numbers.

Part of the problem is that the cpap machines require power, and a lot of state and local governments have outlawed idling engines regardless of the reason for it. I'm lucky enough to drive for a company that provides me with an auxiliary generator that complies with anti-idling laws, but a lot of companies won't provide them because they are expensive. So those drivers can't use their machines when parked in some areas because they'd be breaking the law. How much more uncomfortable are you knowing that not only are apnea drivers tired from not being allowed to use their machines, but many healthy drivers are tired from poor sleep due to not being allowed to have air conditioning or heat? And it's the government that's impeding us from sleeping with their restrictive laws. Some good states allow idling during sleep, but many do not.

Since I'm lucky enough to have a generator, I use the machine all night long, every night.

[SleepyToo2]

A question for those with difficult companies and/or difficult state laws: could you use a battery that will keep your xPAP going for 8 hours and could you then charge it up during the day? Wouldn't solve the problem of A/C, but you might be able to stay compliant?

Just an ignorant but curious non-CDL cpap user!

[archangle]

The problem is the typical government/medical mafia response.

Government - Sleep apena is dangerous. We'll take your license away if we find it.

Medical Mafia - Oh, boy, lets run a lot of expensive tests, take forever to get the process completed, and not really do good followup. Since he's under our thumb, let's not worry too much about getting the right mask, making it comfortable, or buying him a battery through insurance. Then charge him way to much for yearly recertifications.

Trucker - Screw that, I'll never get tested, and will hide any of my symptoms that might indicate I have apnea. I know I'm falling asleep behind the wheel, but if I tell my doctor, he'll rat me out and I'll lose my job like Joe did.

[Sleepy Pilot]

Justin,

Thanks for posting the numbers. Both my pilot's medical and driver's medical are going to have exception with my new diagnosis. I've been looking around to see what the compliance numbers are for drivers. The FAA wants to review my test results and machine data, then they will let me know if I can fly.

[JohnO]

Justin,

Thanks for posting the numbers. Both my pilot's medical and driver's medical are going to have exception with my new diagnosis. I've been looking around to see what the compliance numbers are for drivers. The FAA wants to review my test results and machine data, then they will let me know if I can fly.

Sleepy Pilot -- if you haven't yet already, please be sure you work with an AME who -knows- the particulars of getting the Sleep Apnea SI (Special Issuance). If you work with an AME who is not familiar with the process, you could end up grounded for a great length of time while the AME and FAA go back and forth. Take a look at AOPA's Medical forum (if you are a member) and seek out the notes by Dr. Chien, if you don't already have a plan in place.

John

[jencat824]

My hubby drives local for a soft drink distributor. He has a Class A CDL & was diagnosed with OSA in Dec 2012. He saw the Dr yesterday, is fully compliant with avg. 8.5 hrs a night & AHI avg 1.9. Dr said when he goes for his next DOT med exam to get a completed CLD CPAP form from him to be taken to the med exam. This will show his compliance & he will now need to be tested(CDL med exam) yearly, instead of every 2 yrs.

It is also being discussed (rumor thru truckers & local drivers) that as a part of tackling the CPAP/OSA issue among CDL holders, the next issue will be to have the drivers meet a requirement for a BMI (body mass index), in other words, drivers will eventually have a healthy weight requirement. My hubby recently lost about 60 lbs & is maintaining his new weight quite well, but still has OSA.

I think the DOT is missing the mark to link CPAP compliance, OSA sleep testing with BMI/weight issue. They are two separate issues, as we all know many people with OSA are thin & not every overweight person has OSA. If anyone knows how to get this vital info to those who make the funky rules at the DOT, please post & I'll be glad to help with emails, letter writing & phone calls. I do think sleep testing all CDL holders is not a bad idea. So many of these drivers kill innocent people annually, it is a real safety issue. I don't think the OSA issue should be linked to a person's BMI - that is just plain wrong. AFTER my hubby lost weight, he decided to get a sleep test, knowing he probably had OSA from the decibel level of his snores (all his family has heard them). He is glad he did, and is one of those lucky people who took to treatment like a duck to water & is feeling better because of it. He knew a lot about the process from me, I've been on CPAP 13 yrs.

Anyway, I think all truckers should eventually be required to pass a sleep test, and if found to have OSA be CPAP compliant. With the battery technology, companies could provide over the road truckers with batteries/generators for sleep breaks that work with their CPAP machines. Drivers like my hubby, who are local, home a night drivers, need to meet compliance standards. I think the standard of <20 is plain wrong. It should be closer to <5-8, since we all know <5 is the goal. I feel strongly about this, so any one having knowledge of how to get this policy across to the DOT lawmakers, just post here & I will help if possible.
Jen

[rcinsolo]

I'm a truck driver in the U.S. with sleep apnea, and I have no problem with driving. I just have to get a printout from my DME showing compliance with using the machine and show that to the doctor when I get my yearly DOT physical. The machine works no problem in the truck with an inverter. Plus, the compliance level is easy, I just have to use it 4 hours a night, 7 out of every 10 nights, and my treated AHI only has to be below 20. Truckers should not be scared of sleep apnea, it's easy to stay compliant with treatment and keep your medical card and license. The doctor even gave me a three month grace period to keep driving while I got tested, got set up with the machine, and proved 30 days of initial compliance.
Justin

Wow. Does this mean that a driver with diagnosed apnea with ahi < 20 does not need treatment in order to keep his/her license?

I'm not feeling much comfort in the fact that the truck driver beside me on the road might have such a low level of treatment or compliance for SA. Personally, I'd be a basket case with those numbers.

Actually I just had this issue come up. I just performed a sleep test lastnight and got my results today. My events were 3.4 they said at 5 I would have been red flagged so 20 no.

As far as just not saying anything to the doctor. I knew I didnt have sleep apnea and the doctor looked at my BMI, neck size 17 + red flags you, and your tongue size. These three things red flagged me for a sleep study. So I received a temporary 90 day medical card.... but since I passed my sleep study they renewed my medical cert for 2 years

[chunkyfrog]

Perhaps the high BMI should, at the MOST, require more frequent testing for apnea,
but most certainly NOT automatic loss of license.

[Hose_Head]

I'm a truck driver in the U.S. with sleep apnea, and I have no problem with driving. I just have to get a printout from my DME showing compliance with using the machine and show that to the doctor when I get my yearly DOT physical. The machine works no problem in the truck with an inverter. Plus, the compliance level is easy, I just have to use it 4 hours a night, 7 out of every 10 nights, and my treated AHI only has to be below 20. Truckers should not be scared of sleep apnea, it's easy to stay compliant with treatment and keep your medical card and license. The doctor even gave me a three month grace period to keep driving while I got tested, got set up with the machine, and proved 30 days of initial compliance.
Justin

Wow. Does this mean that a driver with diagnosed apnea with ahi < 20 does not need treatment in order to keep his/her license?

I'm not feeling much comfort in the fact that the truck driver beside me on the road might have such a low level of treatment or compliance for SA. Personally, I'd be a basket case with those numbers.

Actually I just had this issue come up. I just performed a sleep test lastnight and got my results today. My events were 3.4 they said at 5 I would have been red flagged so 20 no.

As far as just not saying anything to the doctor. I knew I didnt have sleep apnea and the doctor looked at my BMI, neck size 17 + red flags you, and your tongue size. These three things red flagged me for a sleep study. So I received a temporary 90 day medical card.... but since I passed my sleep study they renewed my medical cert for 2 years

Your info conflicts with that posted by Justin. Could it be that you are in a different state and under different rules? I agree that the target should be an AHI of 5 (or thereabouts); AHI of 20 seems awfully high to me.