Potential Health Requirement Changes for DOT Physicals

[pro1driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerberus i understand what you two guys are talking about and agree. we are all different with different body types and require different needs. i wasn't actually commenting on the sleep apnea since we all get it from time to time. it's just natural and it happens. our bodies require less sleep at times. i stand firm on the over weight thing. i have seen it too many times where drivers get out of there trucks and the trucks will lean back upright after they get out. they are rounder than tall. and we shouldn't have one scale for every one. each person should be judged individually. according to the scales i am over weight. i laugh and so would you if you saw me. i'm 5'11 and bounce in between 185-190. but the charts at the doctors office says i should be something like 160-165. i would have the ethiopian look going on if i did that. lol

i do share your "standing firm" on overweight truckers. i too have seen many trucks cry deep tears when the driver exits the cab. there just absolutely no reason for a person to be so overweight.

[pro1driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle The most accurate testing for BMI is the water test. It is very expensive, and still not 100% accurate. This type of testing will cost the trucking companies tons of money. I think some companies already use BMI testing during their pre-hire, but not sure what kind of test they are doing. I do agree with Cerberus though when he says the D.O.T. physicals are not tough enough, but the physical condition of the trucker isn't what these people are going after. The only concern they have is sleep apnea. They could care less how out of shape some drivers are.

yep, trucking companies will not foot the bill for such elaborate testing. look at the urine test dip. its not even acceptable by many doctors anymore for checking blood sugars, yet, every DOT physical, they dip the urine cup for a reading. a blood reading is more accurate, but the companies do not pay for that either.

as far as the BMI testing, i provided a link or two of the type of testing that's available right now, "on the cheap"....

[firecracker24]

i just got in on the conversation and i just wanted to say that my team mate uses a cpap machine and let me say it helps out!!(man he can snore without it)but if this got passed then both of us would be out of a job. i have a bmi of 18 which is way to low since im only 6 ft tall and 130 pounds. and hes well just over weight.he gets better sleep with the machine but with the new laws of no idling in cal. its hard for us since the machine wont work without the truck running, and we dont have an apu yet..

[pro1driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by firecracker24 i just got in on the conversation and i just wanted to say that my team mate uses a cpap machine and let me say it helps out!!(man he can snore without it)but if this got passed then both of us would be out of a job. i have a bmi of 18 which is way to low since im only 6 ft tall and 130 pounds. and hes well just over weight.he gets better sleep with the machine but with the new laws of no idling in cal. its hard for us since the machine wont work without the truck running, and we dont have an apu yet..

with you being a female, and NOT overweight, i don't think that's any problem. its the overweight people that will have a problem, and i would suspect the men more than say women would suffer. i don't hear about too many females with sleep apnea, not that a female can't have that problem.

here you go, read these articles regarding womaen and sleep apnea

women with sleep apnea - Google Search

[firecracker24]

thanks for the info pro1driver.it interesting what one can find on the internet.

[pro1driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by firecracker24 thanks for the info pro1driver.it interesting what one can find on the internet.

you're welcome.

sometimes i jsut type in a word or two in "google" and hit "enter".....

you'd be surprised what comes up...............

sometimes, even my breakfast.......!!! (yuk)..........

[Bullwinkle]

I just caught the end of a conversation regarding sleep apnea today on XM, and it appears that this is basically a done deal. Testing is going to be part of getting your D.O.T. physical.

For new drivers, it seems like you will basically be out of luck until you can get what you need for sleep apnea.

For current drivers, it will be a matter of getting drivers as much help as possible to get what they need.

I am probably not 100% accurate on this, but that is how I understood it.

[pro1driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle I just caught the end of a conversation regarding sleep apnea today on XM, and it appears that this is basically a done deal. Testing is going to be part of getting your D.O.T. physical. For new drivers, it seems like you will basically be out of luck until you can get what you need for sleep apnea. For current drivers, it will be a matter of getting drivers as much help as possible to get what they need. I am probably not 100% accurate on this, but that is how I understood it.

ok, as i have said, i do not have satelite radio.


my question, (and i just did a google search), is, "how are they going to test us as part of a DOT physical, as testing is done WHILE YOU'RE SLEEPING".....???

are we to go for a physical, go to sleep, then they conduct the test....???

and you say (that they said) "new drivers", are out of luck...

current drivers can get help....

what about unemployed drivers, trying to find a job, they ain't new, they got experience......???

well then, the gene pool for drivers will shrink ever more now................

this might be ideal for ANYONE wanting out of trucking, and needs re-training for another occupation. the government WILL HAVE to pay for retraining, if drivers are let go because of this issue........

[Bullwinkle]

It's pretty confusing to me right now, so not sure how it will be approached.

[user11108]

Sleep Apnea - Currently there are multiple methods of treating sleep apnea including a CPAP device, oral treatments, as well as multiple surgical procedures. My oldest son has
had most of these if not all done and still suffers for his sleep apnea. doctors don't know what they are doing.

[NCstroker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro1driver my question, (and i just did a google search), is, "how are they going to test us as part of a DOT physical, as testing is done WHILE YOU'RE SLEEPING".....??? are we to go for a physical, go to sleep, then they conduct the test....??? ........

If the doctor thinks you are at risk for sleep apnea he will ask you questions like do you get sleepy during the day, or while driving. If he suspects you have sleep apnea he will then want you to have a sleep study done. Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by the patient going to a sleep study. The sleep study is done at special clinics where you go in about 8:30pm and they put you in your own room usually with a TV and private bathroom. They hook up all kinds of electrodes to your head, chest, and legs. Then you go to bed and they monitor you while you sleep. They even have a night vision camera and microphone on the wall so they can see and hear you sleep. When I did mine I was only asleep for an hour before they came in and hooked me up to a cpap machine. Then I went back to sleep and at 6am they wake you up and thats it. Even if you know you have sleep apnea and it just hasn't been officialy diagnosed, a sleep study is still requiered. The reason for this and the reason why cpap machines are only available with a prescription is because many people have to have their machine set to special levels. In my case, I use whats called a bipap machine because they determined in the sleep study that I benefited more from my inhalation and exhalation pressures being different rather than the same which you would have with a regular cpap.

I have to say I did my sleep study almost a year ago, but I wish I had done it 5 years ago. If you have sleep apnea, you never realize how much it effects you until you have it treated. I feel more alert with more energy and no longer have any daytime sleepiness or excess fatigue.

[Blakowt13]

HT. 6'1", WT. 205 (+/- a few pounds when weighed), BMI 27.4= Slightly overweight.

Height: 6' 1" , Weight 185, BMI 24.1= HEALTHY, When in actuality, I would be UNDERWEIGHT and probably ANEMIC, but I would be able to drive a Truck....off the road because I would as well have heightened SLEEP APNEA.
This is an IMPOSSIBLE weight to achieve at 50 even though I WAS at that weight in HIGH SCHOOL in the early 70s.
---
pro1driver: so your first name is Glenn??
If so that figures (explains the aggravating personality) cuz I am as well a Glen. (Were I a Glenda I would as well HAVE a fertile valley)

[Blakowt13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCstroker If the doctor thinks you are at risk for sleep apnea he will ask you questions like do you get sleepy during the day, or while driving. If he suspects you have sleep apnea he will then want you to have a sleep study done. Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by the patient going to a sleep study. The sleep study is done at special clinics where you go in about 8:30pm and they put you in your own room usually with a TV and private bathroom. They hook up all kinds of electrodes to your head, chest, and legs. Then you go to bed and they monitor you while you sleep. They even have a night vision camera and microphone on the wall so they can see and hear you sleep. When I did mine I was only asleep for an hour before they came in and hooked me up to a cpap machine. Then I went back to sleep and at 6am they wake you up and thats it. Even if you know you have sleep apnea and it just hasn't been officialy diagnosed, a sleep study is still requiered. The reason for this and the reason why cpap machines are only available with a prescription is because many people have to have their machine set to special levels. In my case, I use whats called a bipap machine because they determined in the sleep study that I benefited more from my inhalation and exhalation pressures being different rather than the same which you would have with a regular cpap. I have to say I did my sleep study almost a year ago, but I wish I had done it 5 years ago. If you have sleep apnea, you never realize how much it effects you until you have it treated. I feel more alert with more energy and no longer have any daytime sleepiness or excess fatigue.

My Wife had a Sleep Study performed a few years ago and she as well acquired the CPAP Machine. She had problems with the device on her head and actually slept LESS because of the face attachment. She returned the machine within a month because of SLEEP DEPRIVATION.
I sleep with a Pillow over my head and when I awake, the Pillow is usually somewhere else, like the floor. I do not sleep with things attached to my face. I had a difficult enough time sleeping with an I. V. attached to a Port in '01 when I was undergoing Chemo"therapy" for Testicular Cancer.
I'll retire from Trucking if I have a Sleep Study and it is determined I need a CPAP machine. I refuse to use a CPAP machine simply from seeing what my Wife briefly endured.
YES I get tired and somewhat sleepy from DRIVING, who doesn't??
I have yet to meet a driver that can drive 10-11 hours (lag book time when in REALITY it is 14-16+ hours) without getting sleepy.

[Blakowt13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonkers How abougt a BMI qualification for the fat ass cops out there on the road? Sometimes I wonder how some of these city cops even get out of their cars, yet they are supposed to be in shape enough to take down a criminal if needed? This is WHY they regularly attend Shooting events so they don't have to exert their Hearts to pump extra Blood to their winded Lungs. And people are worried about the weight of truck drivers? How about focusing on those people who's job is to "Protect and Serve". Too much Sugar and it becomes "Protest and Swerve".

The motto of the Police is: "To Protect (themselves) and Serve (their own interests and needs)".

[NCstroker]

Blakowt, if it were to be determined you had sleep apnea I would personaly advise you to atleast try it. I used to think I wouldn't be able to sleep with something on my face. There could be many reasons why your wife couldn't sleep with it. One example is a mask that doesn't fit properly. The medical supply company I got my machine from had me try on atleast a dozen masks before we found one that was just right. You also get more used to it over time. My first night at home with it wasn't very good. But by the 3rd or 4th night I was sleeping like a baby. You really do get used to it. I started out just laying on my back all night because i was afraid to move with the mask. Now Im so comfortable with it I can sleep on my stomache and roll over on my side with it.

Anyway, just saying IF you have sleep apnea. Think about giving it a shot. If it works for you even half as much as it did for me i think you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.

[Blakowt13]

I copy your transmission Driver.
My Wife stated after I posted the other post that the standout reason she didn't like the CPAP ma-cheen was the NOISE of the Oxygenator or the Unit that does what it does. In recollection of that, I was unable to sleep in the same room BECAUSE OF THE NOISE.

I've stated I'll undergo a Sleep Study IF it is suggested during a dot physical and if not then I'll not submit to a Study.

As with EVERYTHING ELSE, I'm GLAD the set up is working FOR you.
Not for everyone do things work.

--I Hope The BEst uv WELLness 2-u-n-urs-n ALL Adventures!!--
~EGuvNC~ (I'm in Buildsboro in Guilty County, the "future" of NC)