Will sleep apnea testing become the new normal? New ways to ruin a livelihood.......

[Injun]

People with high BMIs are not arbitrarily sent for sleep study. They are evaluated further to determine whether sleep study might be appropriate. It starts with height/weight. Then a tape measure around the neck. Run through a questionnaire evaluation and say "AHH" so the doctor can see how big your airway opening is. If all evidence supports the possibility of OSA, you will be requested to do a sleep study.

There are several ways to avoid this altogether. Get your BMI under 35 is one. Another would be to find a different career. I explained above why OSA is found vastly more often in obese people than everyone else. It's not some study. It's logic.

 

[gearjammer]

some should get better informed, I have used a c-pap machine for years I am not excessively over weight at 5'11' and 215 lbs sure I could lose a few lbs but I know it wouldn't make a difference as I had sleep apnea probably my whole life and just didn't know it until I was in the hospital over night and an astute nurse brought it to my attention.
weight is one of the signs but another is a thick neck which I happen to have.

Once I was diagnosed and put onto the machine i was amazed at the improvement in my life tons more energy and much healthier.

looking back I wish I would have discovered my problem years ago I have always been active and except for a couple of years when I was injured and had to sit my ass in a wheelchair I probably worked a 50 to 60 hour week most of my adult life and if I had the machine back in my younger years I could have enjoyed life even more.

you would probably be amazed at the number of people you wouldn't suspect would have sleep apnea that actually do have it and don't even know it.

the only thing I regret is being completely honest and upfront with the company I am leased to as they now require a physical every year even thought the rules do not require it and btw most machines have a card in them that record your compliance and at least my machine stores the info for 6 months not a year and as long as it shoes proper usage they don't say a thing.

while at first I hated using it, today I wouldn't think about sleeping without it.
with it I can be asleep in just a few minutes unlike when I don't use it which can take me a half an hour or more to fall asleep, I used to sleep an average of 9 hours a night and it took me an hour in the morning to get into high gear today 6 or 7 hours is plenty and give me a few minutes to get dressed, a cup of coffee and I am out the door ready to rock and roll.

 

[ready to roll]

There are lots of overweight people who have OSA who are not on CPAP therapy and who wouldn't get off the couch to get their own bonbons.

Please answer this: Since you've been on CPAP, what, if any, differences have you noticed in your energy level, concentration and overall health?

Been on the c-pap for 5 years, 1 year after I started truckn'. Two things have changed for me. I don't need to stop for a nap in the middle of the day, and I don't need to take viagra anymore. My energy level has not picked up much though. No problem on concentration, I just concentrate on getting home. lol

 

[Racer X 69]

. . . . . and I don't need to take viagra anymore.

I must not need a CPAP machine, because I don't need Viagra.

 

[GAnthony]

People with high BMIs are not arbitrarily sent for sleep study. They are evaluated further to determine whether sleep study might be appropriate. It starts with height/weight. Then a tape measure around the neck. Run through a questionnaire evaluation and say "AHH" so the doctor can see how big your airway opening is. If all evidence supports the possibility of OSA, you will be requested to do a sleep study.

There are several ways to avoid this altogether. Get your BMI under 35 is one. Another would be to find a different career. I explained above why OSA is found vastly more often in obese people than everyone else. It's not some study. It's logic.

actually i posted something about this in my own thread, when i went for my DOT physical a few months ago.

in the "stall" next to me was a guy, a mechanic mind you for a bus company, that when asked by the doctors assistant ( guy i have known for years and is good at his job) if the guy gets any sleep, the guy said most nights, or something like that. the doctors assistant then TOLD HIM, he needed to go for a sleep study, because "that's the way it is"..

i was simply floored myself to hear that, that a mechanic MUST take a sleep study. someone responded to my thread (racer i think) that some mechanics MUST fill in for when a driver is out sick..???

but still, to me a sleep study ought to be paid for by the company, and a mere "question or two, verbally" should NOT BE taken as the final result in sending one for a sleep study.

 

[Injun]

some should get better informed, I have used a c-pap machine for years I am not excessively over weight at 5'11' and 215 lbs.....

Please quote where I said people with lower BMIs do not have OSA.

 

[blackw900]

I've seen you. I don't see where you're going to have a problem with this. You've made better choices than some others.

I'm not concerned about whether I need it or not...I'm concerned that so many people are so willing to let the "Nanny State" invade every aspect of our lives.

Let's follow your argument to its logical conclusion. We'll just do away with medical exams altogether. Now, anybody can get a CDL and drive for a living. Epileptics, diabetics and people who have had three heart attacks and a stroke can drive. Hell, we'll let narcoleptics drive, too. At least the guv'mint won't be up our collective asses.

That's YOUR logical conclusion, Not mine....I have no problem taking a physical every 2 years to stay qualified. I do have a problem with the ever increasing death grip that we allow the incompetents in the government to have on our lives.

Why are you so interested in having the government intrude further into our lives?

Because it doesn't effect you?

My point is, people make decisions every day. Make a bad decision and get caught up in the BS that follows, well, you didn't have to make that decision.

My point is that when you relenquish control over every aspect of your life to the government, They will **** up your life just like they **** up everything else they touch.
That is a bad decision for sure.

Stop drinkin' the KoolAid woman!

 

[ready to roll]

I must not need a CPAP machine, because I don't need Viagra.

Well, what can I say, Guys with little wees wees don't have a "problem"lol, but I used to have to take alot of "pills" to get that big some bitch to stand at attention. Now when I get home my wife asks me if that's a wrench in my pocket, or am I just happy to see her.

 

[GAnthony]

Well, what can I say, Guys with little wees wees don't have a "problem"lol, but I used to have to take alot of "pills" to get that big some bitch to stand at attention. Now when I get home my wife asks me if that's a wrench in my pocket, or am I just happy to see her.

i just usually have a roll of life savers in my pockets, cuz i ain't happy to see anyone....:nannie:

 

[Racer X 69]

someone responded to my thread (racer i think) that some mechanics MUST fill in for when a driver is out sick..???

I remember your post. But I don't recall commenting about mechanics being used as fill in drivers.

I was required to have a cdl because the trucks I worked on at the power company required a cdl to operate them on public roads.

 

[Racer X 69]

Well, what can I say, Guys with little wees wees don't have a "problem"lol, but I used to have to take alot of "pills" to get that big some bitch to stand at attention.

Who said anything about penile size?

 

[GAnthony]

I remember your post. But I don't recall commenting about mechanics being used as fill in drivers.

I was required to have a cdl because the trucks I worked on at the power company required a cdl to operate them on public roads.

i just did an extensive search on my threads that i started, as well as ALL threads i have responded to. i cannot find my posting..!!!

i had my DOT physical back in May of this year. i know i posted something about that mechanic, and you responded. i thought you said mechanics had to "fill in", but whether it was for bus drivers or the job you had, i do not remember, but i at least did remember you did say something.

how come i cannot find that particular posting/ or/ thread i made..???

i went way back to 2011...!!!!

 

[GAnthony]

Who said anything about penile size?

well i didn't...i just carry a roll or two of life savers..!!

sometimes, to make it "look longer", i duct tape 2 rolls together..!!!

 

[Racer X 69]

i just did an extensive search on my threads that i started, as well as ALL threads i have responded to. i cannot find my posting..!!!

i had my DOT physical back in May of this year. i know i posted something about that mechanic, and you responded. i thought you said mechanics had to "fill in", but whether it was for bus drivers or the job you had, i do not remember, but i at least did remember you did say something.

how come i cannot find that particular posting/ or/ thread i made..???

i went way back to 2011...!!!!

I looked too. Didn't find it.

But I remember it, and that is what counts.

 

[Mike]

I must not need a CPAP machine, because I don't need Viagra.

You use Popsicle sticks instead?

 

[Racer X 69]

You use Popsicle sticks instead?

Only as kindling to build a fire.

 

[Injun]

Only as kindling to build a fire.

That all depends on what kind of fire you're talking about.

 

[Mike]

I consider myself to be fairly conservative, most consider me to be that way as well. I don't like the Government in my business for the most past.

With this, however, I find myself supporting the idea of testing.

In this industry, we have tons of regulations that are thrown on us due to beliefs of "fatigued driving". Lots of drivers falling asleep at the wheel, losing focus and ramming into stopped traffic, heart attacks while driving, etc... The result? more regulations on us.

If we can get procedures in place to remove "at risk" drivers until they can get their health in check, I am all for it. My family is out there on the road, and I don't want them being hit by a truck driver that fell asleep, especially if it is due to an illness that could have been taken care of.

Don't stop there though, make it a requirement for obtaining/renewing all drivers licenses.

 

[Racer X 69]

That all depends on what kind of fire you're talking about.

The kind that keeps my nekkid ass warm, of course!

 

[Duck]

@Rubber Duck, I didn't copy/paste that.

I know. But it was written like something that would be on some medical website, ... then you stick the word "lardass" in the middle of it. That's why I thought it was so funny.

I used to work in the respiratory care business. I just get tired of seeing all the "discrimination" posts and stupid excuses as to why a slug is a slug and the people who allow themselves to become slugs from lack of self control should be allowed to continue endangering those around them. I have seen first hand the results of obesity-caused OSA and diabetes. All the complaints about costing money and if the guv'mint wants it, the guv'mint should pay for it.....it's all BS. The guv'mint didn't cram all that grub down their gullets. Neither did the trucking company.

There are consequences to the choices we make. Paying for a sleep study is one of the consequences of chronic overeating and refusal to walk any further than the buffet line. Besides that, almost every insurance plan out there pays for the sleep study and the CPAP equipment. If you choose (like me) to not carry medical insurance through George Soros or one of his cronies, then I guess you should save some of your money to take a sleep study. Maybe skip a buffet or two each week. If you really think it's too expensive, then do whatever you have to do to drop some of those pounds.

Grow up and take some responsibility for CHOICES you have made.

I ain't one of them blubber-butts who has to worry about that. I agree with BW9's view on the issue. It's just another government intrusion into people's lives. Every time they get away with another intrusion, they wait a few months for people to calm down & get used to it, then they make another. It's not just about allowing fat blubber-butts to drive trucks. It's just about government sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong. Those who would trade liberty for a little bit of safety are worthy of neither. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said that, but I agree with it 100%.

On this particular topic, now that they've gone and made all these regulations about the fat blubber-butts, where will they go next? Will they ban smokers from driving trucks? How about people who need corrective lenses to see? They would say "well if he hits a bump & his glasses fall off, he could crash and hit a school bus full of kids. PLEASE! PLEASE!! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!". Eventually they'll have it so anybody over the age of 25, & anybody who doesn't have an olympic athlete's physique will be banned from driving a truck.

i just did an extensive search on my threads that i started, as well as ALL threads i have responded to. i cannot find my posting..!!!

i had my DOT physical back in May of this year. i know i posted something about that mechanic, and you responded. i thought you said mechanics had to "fill in", but whether it was for bus drivers or the job you had, i do not remember, but i at least did remember you did say something.

how come i cannot find that particular posting/ or/ thread i made..???

i went way back to 2011...!!!!

I looked too. Didn't find it.

But I remember it, and that is what counts.

I don't know what kind of problem you guys had, but I went to Glenn's profile, clicked the "view threads" link and found it in about 30 seconds.

http://www.truckersforum.net/forum/...-I-already-know)-you-ain-t-gonna-believe-this