New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Big Dan · Post by **Big Dan** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:52 pm

My question is about my Apnea and being compliant to pass my DOT Med/physical exam. I have taken the medical and physical exam passed the test but my c pap through up a red flag and I was told I needed to get my c pap compliance from my dr. In order to get my med card for a yr. I haven't used my c pap in the last two months. but started up again a week ago after this news for the compliance. How many days do I have to get my machine up to compliance?

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:58 pm

Big Dan wrote:My question is about my Apnea and being compliant to pass my DOT Med/physical exam. I have taken the medical and physical exam passed the test but my c pap through up a red flag and I was told I needed to get my c pap compliance from my dr. In order to get my med card for a yr. I haven't used my c pap in the last two months. but started up again a week ago after this news for the compliance. How many days do I have to get my machine up to compliance?

You basically need to prove you use it every night for at least 4 hours. Usually for 30 days for insurance purposes but the DOT requirements will be different. Use the search function. We have several members who are truckers.

Not using your cpap machine is not an option if you drive.

oak · Post by **oak** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 2:06 pm

maybe this site would have the information you need:

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/mehandbook/r ... ep_ep.aspx

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 2:51 pm

Big Dan wrote:How many days do I have to get my machine up to compliance?

Are you thinking that once you use the machine enough to get your medical card issues that you don't need to use it anymore?
If so...wrong. You have to be able to provide current compliance when out on the road.
If you get stopped for an inspection they can pull the compliance data off the machine and if you aren't compliant they can and will shut you down.

We have an active forum member who is an OTR truck driver who is very familiar with DOT requirements.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=62711
If he doesn't stop by here in your thread you might send him a note and ask him.

EZSleep · Post by **EZSleep** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:14 pm

Hey Dan, where are you driving your semi and what color is it? I want to be sure to spot you before you fall asleep at the wheel! Get compliant with DOT and then keep the thing on at night or whenever you are getting your zzzz's.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:39 pm

Please!
There are families out there in cars--with CHILDREN!

rdfry · Post by **rdfry** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:45 pm

Big Dan wrote:My question is about my Apnea and being compliant to pass my DOT Med/physical exam. I have taken the medical and physical exam passed the test but my c pap through up a red flag and I was told I needed to get my c pap compliance from my dr. In order to get my med card for a yr. I haven't used my c pap in the last two months. but started up again a week ago after this news for the compliance. How many days do I have to get my machine up to compliance?

Do you not know that untreated sleep apnea will kill you and could kill other drivers.

DoriC · Post by **DoriC** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:54 pm

Why haven't you used your cpap machine these last few months? What problems are you having? This forum is the place to come for help. Please don't even think of driving a truck until your sleep apnea is treated successfully!

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:28 am

Howdy!

I'm a driver, and I have mild sleep apnea ...

Also look at this page http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-securit ... Apnea.aspx

It says in part:

Can You Still Drive if You Have Sleep Apnea?

Yes! While FMCSA regulations do not specifically address sleep apnea, they do prescribe that a person with a medical history or clinical diagnosis of any condition likely to interfere with their ability to drive safely cannot be medically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce.
However, once successfully treated, a driver may regain their “medically-qualified-to-drive” status. It is important to note that most cases of sleep apnea can be treated successfully.

Because each State sets its own medical standards for driving a CMV in intrastate commerce, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for regulations in your State.

And then further down ...

What Level of Sleep Apnea (mild, moderate, severe) Disqualifies a CMV Driver?

The disqualifying level of sleep apnea is moderate to severe, which interferes with safe driving. The medical examiner must qualify and determine a driver’s medical fitness for duty.

I'm no lawyer or fed gov employee ... but from my understanding is if you have mild sleep apnea (AHI under 15) you are not required to be compliant ... even though for your own health I would HIGHLY recommend it!

By following the first link (in Oak's post) it says you need 30 days of treatment for the Dr to give you a medical card ...

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:14 am

Dan,

What was your AHI number? That is a number the sleep study would have recorded as an average of how many times per hour you stopped breathing for over 10 seconds.

Why did you stop at one time?

New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?

Re: New here! PLEASE HELP!!! big question?