Intrusive Questions from the Government

Ritap1965 · Post by **Ritap1965** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:59 pm

I just got my drivers license renewal application in the mail, and one of their questions is:

Do you have a condition that produces abnormal sleepiness (Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, etc)?

I don't think it is any of their business, especially since I am treating the sleep apnea. I do not wish to answer yes, because I am 100% compliant and no longer sleepy due to my CPAP. 10 years ago I was sleepy because I didn't know I had the condition and was doing nothing about it. Now that I know, I am treating it, so I am not sleepy. So what do I answer? Are they going to deny me a drivers license if I answer yes? And I should answer no since I am treating the disease and am no longer tired.

Aaargh, this really annoys me. It says (Additional information from your physician, Functional Ability Evaluation form, may be required if you have had any of the following conditions in the last five (5) years.

_________________

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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:23 pm

If it was me, my answer would be "NO".
Do they ask about other conditions? Heart disease, strokes, physical impairments that would prevent you from operating a vehicle, do you wear a pacemaker, etc., etc., etc.?
You are treating your "condition", you're using software to monitor your therapy and I assume your nightly stats show an AHI of less than 5.0 (normal). Therefore, you are "normal" and there should be no problem.

Good luck.

Den

Ritap1965 · Post by **Ritap1965** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:32 pm

Thanks for the encouragement. Yes I monitor my condition with the software, and my AHI is usually between 0-1.5. Treatment has been great for me. I am leaning towards answering no. I just think it is an invalid question. It should rather read. Do you suffer from UNTREATED sleep apnea or narcolepsy. If anyone answered yes to that, that would be a concern.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:34 pm

Ritap1965 wrote: I don't think it is any of their business, especially since I am treating the sleep apnea. I do not wish to answer yes, because I am 100% compliant and no longer sleepy due to my CPAP.

I agree 100 percent. Although I'm not qualified to give legal advice to you, there is no way that I would answer yes on that question if it ever is asked of me. It's none of their damn business.

MD727 · Post by **MD727** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:36 pm

They should add - can you talk on your cell phone and drive responsibly...most can't - what a crock!! My answer would be NO! - Can't say how many people are killed from from falling asleep at the wheel but I suspect that more are killed due to drunk driving and too many other diversions. one more way that our government is "here to help"..give me a break....

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:40 pm

Ritap1965 wrote:... Do you have a condition that produces abnormal sleepiness (Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, etc)?

Answer the question! ... Use logic to answer it honestly.

You may interpret it as a compound question with two components connected by a logical "AND". Break the question up into its components:

1) You have sleep apnea? TRUE or FALSE?

2) Your apnea produces abnormal sleepiness? TRUE or FALSE?

If either one or both components is false, then answer is false (ei. "NO")

In order for answer to be True or "YES", then both of the components must be true.

Happy driving!! (assuming you are treating your apnea)

- roberto

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:49 pm

MD727 wrote:They should add - can you talk on your cell phone and drive responsibly...most can't - what a crock!! My answer would be NO! - Can't say how many people are killed from from falling asleep at the wheel but I suspect that more are killed due to drunk driving and too many other diversions. one more way that our government is "here to help"..give me a break....

You got that right, especially the part about "can you talk on your cell phone and drive responsibly"(?) ROFL!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:09 pm

Ritap1965 wrote:I just got my drivers license renewal application in the mail, and one of their questions is:

Do you have a condition that produces abnormal sleepiness (Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, etc)?

My opinion is you used to have a condition that produces abnormal sleepiness. You don't anymore because it is treated. I wouldn't tell them either.

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:33 pm

Ritap1965 -- Do you mind telling us what state you live in? And I wonder if this is to become common practice in many states. Does anyone know? I wonder if you can anonymously call the DMV and find out what would happen if a person answered "yes" to that question.

Ritap1965 · Post by **Ritap1965** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:47 pm

I live in Utah. I wouldn't be surprised if other states followed through with a similar form. I have decided to follow the advice of my fellow c-papers. Since my sleep apnea is being treated, I'm 100% compliant, I will answer no to the question, because I do not have a condition that causes abnormal sleepiness. I know exactly how I sleep every nigh, because my software tells me my AHI is usually less than 1.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:58 pm

Indiana has one for Mental Illness on the licence.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:59 pm

If that's the case (that other states may start doing that), I'll be prepared as I've got all of my data (to prove my compliance and AHI numbers) going back to the first day/night. Thank goodness for the software!....(and CPAP.COM)

Thanks for the info (or "heads up").

Den

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:23 am

Good reason to print out and save at least compliance reports. I'm still adjusting pressures so I've been printing out detailed reports weekly what do others do? I might keep doing the detailed report since it has AHI and compliance.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:04 am

Utah?

Do you have a condition that produces abnormal sleepiness?"

Answer: Yes, driving in Utah. There are some looong lonely drives in Utah.

I remember from years ago driving through the state. One morning we drove two hours without seeing a structure built by humans. Then we saw a house. Then we drove two hours more without seeing a structure built by humans. To this day I am still wondering what were those people doing in that house?

Seriously, Utah is a beautiful state. I need to plan another visit.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:14 am

Another way to look at this question is my actual situation.

Apnea never made me sleepy while driving, it made me feel crappy and irritable. Therefore I can truthfully answer no to this question.

If I crawled in to bed mid day pre-cpap I could sleep (fitfully being worken up periodically by snores), but never felt like I could fall asleep on the road just grouchy and out of sorts.

In addition I vote for "none of their business. How about are you diabetic? Do you test your blood sugar regularily, or have you ever had a heart attack....and on and on.

Intrusive Questions from the Government

Intrusive Questions from the Government

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