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FMCSA Adds Sleep Apnea Page to Website

  
  
  
  
  
  

Sleep Apnea Resource for CDL Drivers

The FMCSA has added a page to its website with links to information about sleep apnea and its potential effects on CDL drivers. 

Although the driver qualification regulations in 49 CFR Part 391 do not specifically list sleep apnea as a disqualifying condition, a response to a Frequently Asked Question on the FMCSA website states that “drivers should be disqualified until the diagnosis of sleep apnea has been ruled out or has been treated successfully. As a condition of continuing qualification, it is recommended that a CMV driver agree to continue uninterrupted therapy such as CPAP, etc. monitoring and undergo objective testing as required.”

The FMCSA also states, “A driver with a diagnosis of (probable) sleep apnea or a driver who has Excessive Daytime Somnolence (EDS) should be temporarily disqualified until the condition is either ruled out by objective testing or successfully treated.”

The FMCSA makes it clear that the information on the new sleep apnea page is not considered to be regulations or even guidance.  A disclaimer is included, stating:  “The materials contained on this page were developed under a contract with the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and are being disseminated by the FMCSA in the interest of information exchange. The FMCSA assumes no liability of the contents or use thereof.  The materials contained on this page do not establish FMCSA policies or regulations, nor do they imply an endorsement or partiality by FMCSA of any product, the NSF, or the conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the materials.  Trademarks or manufacturers’ names may appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of the materials.”

The concerns about sleep apnea among the CDL driver community continue to garner a great deal of controversy.  I encourage you to share your thoughts on the subject by commenting on this article.


Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.  Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.

Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.

 

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Comments

I have no problem with them testing for this if it we're first a regulation and second if the doctors knew what the heck they are doing. I went in and had my physical in Jan of this year. The first thing the nurse did was measure my neck size and said you'll be ok, 16 1/2. I said ok what was that for andd she proceeded to tell me it was for the sleep apnea.I get all the way through my physical and the doctor says to me since your on BP medication we're going to have you get a sleep study done. They gave me this information on who to call and get it set up and a three month extention on my card. So I hesitated for a couple weeks and finally decided I best get this done. So I called the first number at the top of the page to get a sleep study set up. They said "You can't call us and set this up your doctor has to set it up" so I call back to the clinic and tell them this. They said "No we don't set them up you have to." I explained it again to them and they said they would call the Sleep Center and call me back. Well they called back and said "I guess you CAN'T set this up, you'll have to call your family doctor and have them set it up." Outraged I said WHY MY FAMILY DOCTOR! They said thats just the way were doing it. So I call my family doctor and go through the same thing, why do you have to have this done? Well they set it up after some controversy, I had to have it done by April 21st, that was the end of my 3 month card. Well they get it set up for April 8th. No problem. I get the test done and then they tell me it will be 7-10 days before you get the results back. here it is the 8th and 7-10 days at the most the 18th ok. Well the 18th I finally get this results, from my family doctor. They said YEP YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA. The clinic said just to get the stuff I needed, bring in the reciepts and I'd get my card. So 2500.00 later I get the stuff I need and take in the reciepts on the 19th. They looked at these and said WHATS THIS. I told them they were the reciepts for my CPAP. They then tell me they need two weeks of information on the smart card in the machine before they can issue a medical card. So I have to take two weeks off work to get this done. Not to happy about it but what can ya do. Ok at the end of the two weeks I got and get the card read by the hospital medical person that sold me the CPAP. I take this information out to the clinic, they look at it and again said what is this now. I told them the info that was on my smart card. They said Oh we need a letter from your sleep doctor. I asked why they didn't say this before but to no avail. so I go back to the medical center and tell them what I need. They tell me I have to go through my family doctor to get the letter requested. So I call them and they said OK we have to call the sleep doctor and reqest it we'll call you back. Now this is on May 4th. My family doctors office call me back and said "well we can get you the letter but they have to see you first." We made an appointment for you and its the 16th of May. I said "Just for a letter?" Yes sorry but thats the way they do it, he has to see you before he can write the letter. So now I'm off till the 16th of May. I go to see this doctor on the 16th and when he walks in he was lookiing at my chart and he said to me " I don't know why they have you on this CPAP, your only a 7 on that chart." So I said what I don't need thsi thing? No not really. WOW was I pissed but I said well I need you to write me a letter up so I can get back to work. He said yes I'll fax that over to them, they should have it in a couple days. I said two days to fax ! Can't you just write something now so I can get back to work? No they won't take a hand written letter. So two more days go by and finally the clinic called and said they had my medical card ready. So with all this said, if you have to get a test done, get on it right away and ask questions all the way through. and if you have it make sure you get your two weeks on the card and then your letter from the sleep doctor( Pulmanoligist)<sp> So all in all I was off for a month for no reason, but oh the weather was nice.
Posted @ Friday, July 15, 2011 4:21 AM by Tim
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