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Any TRUCKERS out there?
I have been driving a truck for some time [about 15 years]. this last physical, the PA told me "oh, you have a 18 inch neck and you are overweight, so you have sleep apnia" . off to a sleep study... I really hate it when they are RIGHT. They said on a scale of 1-10 i'm a 9 in s/a terms. Slap on a CPAP.... Thing is, I really don't like it, but i do feel as though it helps me get sleep. Thats not to say it is w/o problems- wake up dry as a bone, or with water all in the mask or tube. My ears get blown out, i cant hear too well for first 20 min or so after i get up. The mask is giving my face an interesting look for a while now [big red marks especially on the bridge of my nose]. Of course the alternative, being DEATH, aint too good either. ...
Anyone else have these issues?
Anyone else have these issues?
Views: 51
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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You might want to check in at apneasupport.com as well as sticking here w/us. There is a TruckerDat in that forum who seems to be pretty much on top of the situation w/the truck driving situation in regards to OSA.
The ears are a concern. You need to get ahold of your sleep doctor about this issue ASAP. It is not common, but it also is not at all unheard of, for you to damage or lose your hearing if there is an underlying, undiscovered anatomical issue in your ears.
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Permalink Reply by dave foster on
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Thanks for the info, ive been asking them to turn down the pressure for a while now. the doc seems to feel my o2 levels are more important than my hearing- he said if it continues to be a problem, or gets worse, he will turn the cpap down some. i think they like selling cpaps and hearing aids! lol.
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Sorry, the ID is TruckerDad NOT TruckerDat. I'd make an appointment w/an ENT. Especially if you can find one who has sleep as a subspecialty or at least is up on OSA and sleep.
What brand and model CPAP do you have? If it has C-Flex or EPR, that may help w/the ear problem but I would NOT waste any time seeing an ENT for a good exam of your ear structure to be safe.
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seeing the doc thur, have this unusual test 'maintenace of wakefulness'; that is, they sit you in a barco lounger in a cool dark room and see if you fall asleep... this is HOW i fall asleep! a real b/s test i think. oh, did i mention no books, tv, or magazines or anything! yeah, lotsa fun.
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Wow Dave! You gotta improve this! Joysus!... Now bear in mind, I tried the "full" face mask (covering both nose & mouth) but I can breath thru my nose, so NO WAY does it compare, IMH(umble)Opinion, to the nasal pillow mask I use PLUS a chinstrap, to keep your mouth closed, Mirage Swift I (there are many versions, Dave). If your nose is congested, that's a different wrinkle, then, maybe you have to start with the full one. Moisture in the mask means your humidity is too high, and I urge everyone to get a tubing BLANKET at cpapplus.com, here's the link, http://cpapplus.com/Miscellaneous/TubeBuddy.html that slips over the tubing, I checked it, it now only comes in blue, but has a zipper(mine does not) this MAINTAINS THE TEMPERATURE of the air from machine to mask. It's called "rainout". In cold climates, in the winter, I can't imagine not having it. Do you realize how much the air-moisture can change depending on room temp? A lot. Even here in temperate San Diego, I had "weeping" from the tube into the mask. NO MORE! Bingo.
And pressure on your face, well, in the beginning, it's rough, because many of us are overweight, and flabby, to put it bluntly, and we are trying to get it as tight as possible, then slowly loosen it, to where any leakage is acceptable. Again, for those using the Mirage I or II, this isn't an issue, but you need enough airflow capacity to just use your nose, hope this helps, and you stay positive.
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Permalink Reply by RD on
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Hey Dave,
I drove for a company HQ'd in Denver, CO but stopped driving back in Nov. last year. I was having problems with my energy levels being way too low especially on those coast-to-coast runs. The biggest problem I developed was upper end blood pressure (143/82),high cholesterol, and I was putting on a few pounds. This I dismissed as truckstop living. I went through the process on a whim, just called the local hospitals sleep disorders clinic and asked for a sleep study. What I found was that in a 4-1/2 hr sleep period I had 157 episodes, (1osa, and the hypopneas and central apneas were split in the middle.) Essentially, one episode of some sort every 2-1/2 minutes or so. Small wonder I was having problems. Anyway, I asked about the CPAP and being in a truck. The specialist said that a 500watt inverter would do the trick and I'd have to be careful not to run the batteries down. The Kenworths the company has gone to has a 10-hr. battery that runs the AC and heaters so we don't have to idle. I typically got 6-7 hours of shut eye sleep per night. If your rig runs a small aux power unit then that should be no problem to run the CPAP. Just be sure that when you're ready to go to sleep -- that's it. You've read all the Keller&Keller stuff on getting exercise and staying healthy. You know, just get out the cab and walk 30-minutes every day, drop your portions at the greasy spoon, and don't stress.
I get the red marks from my full face mask as well as big puffy eyes. If it ain't an allergy, then the REM must be so fast it gives my eyes big droopy blisters! I'm finding that a cool rag in the morning (and dark sunglasses) helps with all the poofyness. The big thing is that I'm starting to wake up feeling better. It's been 13-days now on the machine but I have a lot of damage to repair before I get to good.
So be careful out there and don't feed the Bears!
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Until your apnea is under control dave this is not a fare test. Why are they giving you a MWT? I do not know how it is for truckers, but if a pilot fails thisd test they take away his license.
dave foster said:seeing the doc thur, have this unusual test 'maintenace of wakefulness'; that is, they sit you in a barco lounger in a cool dark room and see if you fall asleep... this is HOW i fall asleep! a real b/s test i think. oh, did i mention no books, tv, or magazines or anything! yeah, lotsa fun.
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Permalink Reply by D. W. Conn on
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Geez Rock way to just blurt it out!
The MWT diagnostic testing is very necessary for Pilots and Truckers. It isn’t a bad idea for surgeons or hospitalist as well. In some cases the MWT is required by the DOT. The purpose of the MWT after a couple weeks to a couple of months of wearing CPAP is to test excessive daytime sleepiness. This is a necessary evil. If my family is in a plane most certainly do not want a Pilot that falls asleep in the cockpit, likewise that truck coming towards the van full of little leaguers well, knowing he/she isn’t suffering from sleep issues is most comforting.
Now for the pressure on the nose mentioned above. Talk to your DME and see if you can find a more face friendly mask. Now as for the water in the tube. Place your CPAP on the floor or on a very short table. This will allow any moisture to collect and drain back into the water reservoir. Be sure to clean your hose and water take daily-including the mask.
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I feel the same way Conn, but it did not sound like he was 100% with his treatment. Sorry I did not mean to let the cat out of the bag. I believe that this is an important test. i also believe that the people taking it should be given a fair chance. If he is not getting 100% from his pap therapy then this is not a fair test. Patients should know what the test is for, and why it is given.
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dave foster said:
Oy, yoy!!!! That's not a test! That is torture pure and simple! Sit in the dark w/no book, no magazine, no TV, nuttin' to occupy your mind and pass the time EXCEPT sleep!!!!! They shoot horses, don't they?seeing the doc thur, have this unusual test 'maintenace of wakefulness'; that is, they sit you in a barco lounger in a cool dark room and see if you fall asleep... this is HOW i fall asleep! a real b/s test i think. oh, did i mention no books, tv, or magazines or anything! yeah, lotsa fun.
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EXCELLENT point about the machine being lower, It should be lower than the top of the bed,at least, have mine on a chair. The floor is impossible to reach the buttons, and not sure I want that water draining back into the reservoir. I thought they're should'nt be much water, I move humidity button between 3 & 4, 4 is dryer. Truckers have one of the most stressful jobs and working union grocery around Teamsters I learned to respect that. Good luck to all of you sleeping in the truck w/ CPAP is a great idea.
D. W. Conn said:Geez Rock way to just blurt it out!
The MWT diagnostic testing is very necessary for Pilots and Truckers. It isn’t a bad idea for surgeons or hospitalist as well. In some cases the MWT is required by the DOT. The purpose of the MWT after a couple weeks to a couple of months of wearing CPAP is to test excessive daytime sleepiness. This is a necessary evil. If my family is in a plane most certainly do not want a Pilot that falls asleep in the cockpit, likewise that truck coming towards the van full of little leaguers well, knowing he/she isn’t suffering from sleep issues is most comforting.
Now for the pressure on the nose mentioned above. Talk to your DME and see if you can find a more face friendly mask. Now as for the water in the tube. Place your CPAP on the floor or on a very short table. This will allow any moisture to collect and drain back into the water reservoir. Be sure to clean your hose and water take daily-including the mask.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Katzung on
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Re: topics related to truck drivers, you might also want to go to http://tinyurl.com/scan-cpap-bbs and search for trucker, truck driver, etc. It searches several CPAP discussion boards, including this one.
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