Sleep Apnea?

Not a typical test outside of a couple mega carriers, no. Most companies just want an up to date med card. At most, they might want a driver to get a new one just to make sure all is still good.

I think a sleep apnea test is silly. Sleep apnea is a very real thing, but the nature of the industry will do more to hurt a driver's sleep quality than sleep apnea's slow, long term effects ever would. Let drivers do it on their own accord if they sense it's affecting their lives/work.

 

My company doesn’t require it, but every doctor I’ve seen for my medical card for the last several years has required my CPAP data or a sleep study. I have sleep apnea, so I don’t have any problem with that. I’d note that I had no idea that I had it until a new girlfriend (now my wife) told me that I stopped breathing several times, after our first night together.

 

My company was talking about sleep apnea when it was new big thing. Offering free screenings or something. I went on my own to my doctor and after going to sleep doctor I had very bad sleep apnea. When I took the test my original plan was just so I could prove it did not have sleep apnea. So I was surprised when they said I had very bad sleep apnea.

Their was some walk in clinic drivers was say if you went they basically required driver to take test

 

I had it forced on me about 6 years ago. Did the sleep study, proved I didn't have it. Now the doctors where I get a physical are wanting me to have it done, based on neck size only. That is, until I show them the test results.

 

Age Normal Respiratory Rate During Sleep
Children (6 to 12 years) 18-30 times per minute
Teens (13 to 17 years) 13-21 times per minute
Adults (over 18 years) 12-20 times per minute
Older Adults (over 60 years) 12-28 times per

The way some of these people act you should breath just like when you’re awake.

 

If someone has sleep apnea they are checking to see how many time someone stops breathing for 10 seconds every hour. You can google sleep apnea rang or Events per hour scale.

1-4 is normal not sleep apnea
5-10 low
10-15 was mild
15-25 high
25-30+ was severe

I don’t remember the numbers exactly but people can look it up. You can record yourself sleeping and listen to see if you stop breathing or gasping say 2 times in 30 minutes is only 4 per hour not sleep apnea. If you listen for 30 minutes and hear no breathing or most likely gasping 6 times in 30 minutes. That’s 12 per hour you probably have sleep apnea. They might have apps you can run on phone to record not sure if they are any good.

 

I recently got a 2 year card. Was flagged by vault for previous 90 day card for wanting a sleep study and Schneider made me take it to stay employed. I lined up a new job but decided to stay. Did the home sleep study kit and had 25 events an hour with moderate Obstructive sleep apnea.

Been using the nasal attachment with the cpap for a month now. It claims I'm down to 1-3 events an hour. However I still wake up. I will admit not as much as before. And the nasal attachment has changed me from a mouth breather to a nasal breather. I was a very loud snorer and I nodded off for 30 mins during a football game with family and they claimed I didnt snore. Not sure if not snoring helps or means anything. However at this point I see no real changes and still think its a scam and money maker for mega carriers and sleep partners.

 

Does anyone know the level of apnea before DOT requires cpap treatment.

I certainly can’t find it on line.

I’ve been using a machine for years but, I went to a new dentist and he prescribed an oral appliance which I really like using.

But, I’m sure DOT won’t like not knowing if im using it. I have to take my cpap sd card in every year before physical for proof.

My apnea is mild but, I can’t find out what the AHI requirements are.

Thank you.

 

When I was changing carriers I'm leasing too last year one of them gave me that test. I train in the gym 2 to 3 times a week so I figured I'd pass it and did. They had so much stipulations at that job as a Owner operator I never bothered taking it and glad I went elsewhere. Too much red tape these days in trucking.