CPAP done through your own doctor as opposed to a company one
Posted by heavyramp@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 7 comments
Anyone currently use a CPAP that was never initiated by a company policy? I read stuff on here about unscrupulous doctors and CPAP companies dragging drivers into their CPAP device business. But what if you already use your own CPAP, and don't need additional sleep study appointments and doctors?
SPK5_trucker@reddit
I used a cpap for a couple years and it is a total pain, they are uncomfortable, there's not enough room for the equipment in your truck, and properly sanitation of it is difficult, so I finally decided to look into other options about 2 years ago. The research led me to "Inspire" and after testing and much needed weightloss to qualify i will be having the procedure done in about 6 weeks and can't wait.
nicerakk@reddit
Not sure what your question is about you already being on a CPAP but for you, you just need to show you CPAP report to the doctor doing your DOT physical. They will issue you a 1 year max long form if you're in compliance.
I've never heard of a CPAP business ran by a trucking company
heavyramp@reddit (OP)
Some companies want to you to see their own company doctor. I thought that maybe this also applied to cpap equipment and sleep studies. Like Cocentra and Merton Transport.
I personally don't have the sleep study done yet, and still need to get a referral to the pulmonologist. But I'm thinking it's in my future
nicerakk@reddit
I didn't know this. I've been on mine for 8 years. I love it btw. I went on my own to the VA after I had been driving for a year.
I'm willing to guess that companies want you to use their doctor because people that don't want to use a CPAP go to their own doctor that they've been using for years and the patient tells the doctor that he needs a note saying that he doesn't have SA. A company doctor would probably do the opposite and make anyone that has a big neck get a test. Since it's the companies doctor, the company can refuse to employ you if you refuse.
But for someone that already needs and uses a machine, going to the company doctor is useless. The sleep report from your machine is all you would need.
Milk_MAN1963@reddit
I just had a driver get a 90 day card so he could get started on his CPAP
nicerakk@reddit
Didn't know they do that now either. It was a different world just 8 years ago
nicerakk@reddit
I didn't know this. I've been on mine for 8 years. I love it btw. I went on my own to the VA after I had been driving for a year.
I'm willing to guess that companies want you to use their doctor because people that don't want to use a CPAP go to their own doctor that they've been using for years and the patient tells the doctor that he needs a note saying that he doesn't have SA. A company doctor would probably do the opposite and make anyone that has a big neck get a test. Since it's the companies doctor, the company can refuse to employ you if you refuse.
But for someone that already needs and uses a machine, going to the company doctor is useless. The sleep report from your machine is all you would need.