In my state ( and probably nationwide, but not sure about this) legislation is being passed for truck drivers matching a certain physical profile will be targeted for having to have OSA studies done.  It's not known n(yet) who will be responsible for paying for these mandated studies.  

Does anyone know more about this having to do with the state you live in?

I am a truck driver who moved from Maryland to Delaware two years ago. I have not heard anything about mandatory osa testing for truck drivers. It could be under consideration though, but paying for the testing would probably be enough to shoot down legislation like that. There is one driver I work with that is on cpap and I know I need to be tested. I'm calling my personal doc tomorrow and see if he can give me a referral. I had an appointment Friday and should have said something about it then with him. If I hear of anything about mandatory testing, I'll get back to you.

I've learned a bit more since I first posted.

My husband has had both studies, has OSA and was given his equipment 3 weeks ago.

Here is the something new ~

His Dr is also a Dot Dr and knows what's going on (for the most part) regarding what's coming re OSA and truck drivers.

Because my husband drives big vehicles from time to time, this applies/will apply to him.

Not only did he have the 2 typical sleep tests, he HAD to have a 3rd on lasting all day. This test is ONLY for those who are on the road, big rigs etc.

Being tested for OSA is NOT yet mandatory here in Pa, but his DR says that when it is, and it will be, (expense liabilities not yet known) that from the time a driver is diagnosed with OSA and compliant with therapy showing improvement, the driver will NOT be allowed to drive = no income !!

For example, in my husbands case, this all started for him 8 weeks ago and he is struggling with compliancy.. he's up to 4-5 hours a night with the mask.... so who knows when he would be given the ok and allowed back to work.

Our good news is because I've pestered, hounded, complained, left the bedroom, told the world how awful his snoring was, mentioned time and again and again and again that getting up 5-6 times (for a drink of water) is NOT normal, you need HELP... YOU have sleep issues.... he finally heard me  (Good Lord.. how could he not have long before now?? )

By the time being tested for OSA is mandatory, he will be over the hump and won't lose his job or income because of it....also, his blood pressure, which is VERY problematic, will most likely be improved as well... another DOT regulation.

You are wise to get yourself in treatment now before you HAVE to for income purposes.

Congratulations for knowing you HAVE to for your own good well being !


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I'm glad your husband is working on his compliance now. I still find it hard to believe that the DOT would require drivers to become compliant before they could resume driving, but, knowing the government, anything is possible I guess.

I found a link on truckingboards.com forum that addresses this issue. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=12152

There was a thread on that forum where drivers were discussing apnea, and some seemed to indicate that the problem lies with the doctors in the clinic doctors that are in effect working for the trucking company. Some drivers said that when they told the doctor that they had trouble sleeping or had sleep apnea, the doctor would not sign off on their dot physical card until they had the sleep study done.

If I find out any more info, I'll let you know. Thanks, and good luck.

I went through my husbands papers and found exactly what this 3rd test was called ~

MWT = maintenance of wakefulness test

Quote:

MWT is designed to objectively assess your level of daytime alertness. It consists of four *awake* trial taken at 2 hour intervals. The *awake* trials will last 40 minutes in length. Plan to stay for approx 8 hours.

nite before the test ~
1.  get normal 6-8 hours sleep
2. avoid caffeninated beverages or chocolate after dinner
3. Use your CPAP all night as prescribed by your physician

Morning of the test ~
1. eat normal breakfast, no caffeine
2. arrive with shampooed hair free of hair gel or spray

The following will be provided ~
1. lunch
2. private bedroom with private bathroom, cable TV and DVD player

Additional items to bring ~
1. Medications you take during the day
2. something to read or work on between trials
3. DVD's/movies to watch between trials.

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The other driver at my barn that uses cpap starts early and was gone before I arrived this morning, but I am interested to hear if he has heard anything about this third test since he is already using cpap. I think if they actually took drivers off the road that were diagnosed with osa until they were compliant, half the truck drivers out there would be out of a job.

Quote:

I think if they actually took drivers off the road that were diagnosed with osa until they were compliant, half the truck drivers out there would be out of a job.

I'm sure you're right.

Think of it though... drivers with apnea driving those big rigs without the apnea being under control.  The liability reprocussions are staggering.

Of course, I can't find it now, -- a report about most road accidents being caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

I actually think it's a great idea to have truck drivers tested.... and when they get the kinks out of that system, I'd like to see OSA testing become part of being granted a regular drivers license.

Let me know about your co-worker. I'm curious to know if he had to take the 3rd test too. My husband didn't have a choice. It was mandatory due to his having a CDL.


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I caught up with the other driver at my barn that uses cpap and he knew nothing about the third test. He did say though that since he has been using cpap he is a different person. He said he used to snore and make all kinds of noise while he slept, now he is so quiet while he sleeps that his wife sometimes reaches over to feel that his chest is going up and down to make sure he is still breathing.

My doctor made an appointment for me with a neurologist next week who will actually make the referral for the sleep study. I don't know why he couldn't make the referral himself, but at least I've got the ball rolling. The night before last I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep, except maybe an hour. Last night I was so tired I only woke up 2x, but I still feel really tired so I'm guessing that the quality of sleep was still not great. Usually I wake up about 4x a night, and if I wake up around 6 its real hard to get back to "sleep" again. If I really do have apnea, it would explain a lot of things.

This post was just made which supports some of the information I've been given.

Read it here http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=14713

I'm going to leave a link to this thread asking him to post what he knows etc.


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I'm a  team driver with Schneider National about 3 months ago my co-driver who struggles to stay awake, sleeps 14hrs a day an cant drive for very long periods decided to get tested for sleep apnea(hes always tired) he contacted our DSL/STL or dispatcher. We set it up in INDY our OC and had the test done at the Mariott Hotel. To my suprise it wasnt him that had it. It was me I was shokced told him I couldnt have it didnt have any symptoms, dont need get sleepy just snore but I've always had sinus and alergy problems. Anyways the past 3 months I've struggle to wear the mask and always get woke up in the middle of the night from it. About two weeks ago my STL calls and tells me I have 45 days to be in compliance or I will be terminated. Two days ago Tom in Loss Prevention tells my boss I cant drive anymore until I'm in compliance, so Ive taken a weeks vacation and am working on it right now. Once I have complied they will take that attenna, gps looking phone thing off and let me mail it in, and let me come back to work. I called Tom in Loss Prevention and he said that there are all kinds of liablity issue and Schneider National doesnt have insurance, they pay for everything out of there own pocket.

MJ just sent me this link... take a read, you'll find it interesting.

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=92245


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IHATETHISMACHINE wrote:

We set it up in INDY our OC and had the test done at the Mariott Hotel. To my suprise it wasnt him that had it. It was me I was shokced told him I couldnt have it didnt have any symptoms, dont need get sleepy just snore but I've always had sinus and alergy problems. .

I called Tom in Loss Prevention and he said that there are all kinds of liablity issue and Schneider National doesnt have insurance, they pay for everything out of there own pocket.

I don't think having a sleep study done in a motel room is adequate enough to determine the full scope of a persons apena or non apnea.

If you've never had a sleep study done before, there are all kinds of wires hooked up to elaborate equipment to monitor many highly technical aspects of a persons breathing... far beyond the scope of a motel room.

How many studies did you have?  

Do you have the reports from all studies?

There are several people here who are excellent in translating the numbers into laymans language.  There are about 7 pages per sleep study.  If you don't have them, HIPPA says you are entitled to have them, so make some phone calls, get the results and then post your info here on the boards.

I'm amazed that your company doesn't have insurance!... Flabbergasted even.  One substantial law suit could drown them in out of pocket expenses.

Don't hate your machine.  Give it a chance to work for you.  If you truly have apnea, this machine is going to save you from a lot of potential illnesses as well as extend your life well beyond an untreated life span.

Go back to the main board and post the kind of equipement you have.. machine make/model, mask brand/type, what difficulties you are having.  There are lots of helps and hints once the exact problems are known.  All of us have been there,done that in one respect or another.

There is a wealth of knowledge here... use it, ask, ask, ask.....


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PuhJommies wrote:

IHATETHISMACHINE wrote:

We set it up in INDY our OC and had the test done at the Mariott Hotel.

I don't think having a sleep study done in a motel room is adequate enough to determine the full scope of a persons apena or non apnea.

If you've never had a sleep study done before, there are all kinds of wires hooked up to elaborate equipment to monitor many highly technical aspects of a persons breathing... far beyond the scope of a motel room......

Sleep studies have been allowed to be conducted in hotel rooms, however, I think that the laws regulating this are being changed, and that it is either becoming more limited or not allowable.

There are sleep clinics that are situated in hotels or motels.  They have all the same equipment that any other sleep clinic would have.  The advantage is that the furnishings are supplied by the hotel and so is the cleaning.  For the technicians, there is also the advantage that there are other people nearby during the night, especially the hotel security staff.  It is a  marriage of convenience and seems entirely reasonable.

Quote:

There are sleep clinics that are situated in hotels or motels.

Your phrasing like this Frances has me now believing I misunderstood the previous referrence to it.  I was thinking that for this one study, a motel was used... not thinking that a motel would be/was set up for multiple studies as an everyday practice.

As you phrase it, sure, it would be just the same as any other sleep study facility.

Thanks for a different perspective.


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