Sleep Apnea and Driving

[mandy wood]

help how to trick this machine

Hi my husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but we think he has been wrongly diagnosed. He is having the same problem we are ready to chuck the machine out the door. The thing is he drives for a living and you have to prove to the dvla that you are doing 4 hours an night or you get your licence taken off you. Does anyone know how to trick these machines I have tried putting it on a teddy but it didnt work.

[GrumpyBiker]

Hi my husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but we think he has been wrongly diagnosed. He is having the same problem we are ready to chuck the machine out the door. The thing is he drives for a living and you have to prove to the dvla that you are doing 4 hours an night or you get your licence taken off you. Does anyone know how to trick these machines I have tried putting it on a teddy but it didnt work.

OSA kills. You are six times more likely to crash with untreated OSA compared to those without OSA or with treated OSA.

You want to trick the DVLA to allow your husband to put other peoples lives at risk alongside his.

If you believe the diagnosis is wrong then get a second opinion.

[Woodster]

Mandy I have to second what GrumpyBiker has written!

OSA does kill if untreated, I would use the machine or whatever medication prescribed whilst a second opinion had been sought and confrimed as to whether your husband does have OSA.

As a professional driver I would not place the general public, myself and my company in such risk. God forbid it could be one of your family that an OSA sufferer has seriously injured or killed, and then if you found out that the driver thought he or she was wrongly diagnosed and so did not use his or her machine what would you say then?

Also more to the point, if your husband killed or seriously injured someone and he had not used his machine he would go to jail, he would lose his livelyhood and would have the burden for the rest of his life knowing he was neglegent and someone lost their life through it and he could even kill himself in the process.

Furthermore he would put all professional and non drivers at risk as DVLA would then revoke everyone's license who were diagnosed, regardless of whether you were receiving treatment or not and I'm pretty sure you would no-one would get it back then!

I am fairly lucky in that my employer has now taken me off the road and continued my employment within the warehouse on the same wage as a driver whilst I get things sorted. It's through actions like this that help professional drivers come to terms with the possibility of losing their license and is a positive and responsible approach by an employer in dealing with an employee diagnosed with OSA

So I would suggest that he continue to use what equipment he has until a further diagnoses or second opinion has been given!

[Brummie Jon]

application for driving license

I reapplied for the return of my driving license 3 weeks ago as i am compliant with cpap therapy and no longer sleepy. The dvla have told me that they are awaiting a reply from my GP to confirm. Interesting because the dvla never asked my GP for confirmation that I actually had OSA in the first place. According to the advice that I have received on this forum, the dvla only need my word for it that I am no longer sleepy in order to get my licence back. Not true.... so beware, or at least, be aware....

*BJ*

[James @ Intus]

It's always good to keep your GP both friendly and in the loop. Not least so they become aware of OSA!

[Tigers Fan]

Jumping through hoops

It's not so much that I told you so, BJ, more that you still seem to be blaming anyone but yourself.

Annoy the DVLA and they'll annoy you back. QED

[Brummie Jon]

tit for tat

Are you suggesting that the DVLA can just change their procedures depending upon whether they "like" someone or not....... Very unprofessional and unlikely....... They needed no evidence to take away my licence, now you say, I have "annoyed" them so they can make my life difficult........ The parliamenary ombudsman would have a field day with that one.....

NO, I think that it is YOU who are wrong, the DVLA are inconsistant with their approach, the same as the NHS, it depends where you live and who you end up on the phone to......

I have resisted any form of personal attack on this forum unlike you (administrators, check through these posts)...... No more, I've had enough TF ...

TF your judgemental attitude is a spoiler to this forum, I have seen other "comments" you have made to me and others that are just plain "out of order".... I don't need your sanctimonious postings so please keep out of replying to my posts and give someone else a chance to comment... I have never known such hostile "support", you just love the sound of your own voice, I pity someone who has nothing better to do than become "head of the hoseheads", just P**s off and take your (poor) advice somewhere else....

*BJ*

[Tigers Fan]

A good place to enjoy the Spring

As you enjoy your walks and your commuting in this lovely Spring weather, BJ, ponder this - how come all those other people didn't lose their licences for a single minute?

Perhaps - one day - you will learn how the world, the people on it and the rules they make actually work.

Tigers Fan

PS If you don't want to read my posts, either simply don't, or cause them not to appear in the threads. Easily done. Room for us both.

[Brummie Jon]

There are plenty of people on here who lost their licence.....

only those lucky enough to get the letter from their consultant advising not to drive and the treatment within a couple of weeks manage to avoid losing their licence..... some of us had to wait 6 - 8 weeks before getting their CPAP...... you sanctimonius twat.... I won't read your posts... just stay away from mine, your "advice" is not wanted, respected or valid as far as I am concerned.... "expert" my arse...... keep away from me.... this is not your forum (although anyone would think it is)...

*BJ*

[silvercarper]

I do feel that the DVLA rules, for Sleep Apnea,are fairer than those which are applied for other health problems.
15 years or so ago I passed out whilst shopping and did not come to until I was in hospital.
Even though no explanation was found as to why I passed out I stiill lost my license for a year because of my "unexplained loss of consciousness".

[Tigers Fan]

Such language!

Tut! tut! BJ - that was a very un-scientific response!

Though I very much doubt it, I do hope you are having better luck with the other Agency than you are with the DVLA.

Good luck with them both. I expect you have more energy to deal with them now you are CPAP compliant.

Tigers Fan

[leswaller]

SilverCarper
Regretfully any unexplained loss of consciousness always results in the loss of your driving licence until it is sorted out. Imagine losing consciousness for no apparant reason whilst driving at 70mph down a motorway, the potential results dont bear thinking about.

[unett99]

DVLA info

I contacted DVLA and informed them i have OSA and had reply saying on my medical record but aslong as been treated there was no restrictions but if gets worse need to re contact them for re assesment.......also same answer when diagnosed with type 2 diabeties .... was told if not inform DVLA and you have accident insurance nil and void.... cover yourself......just incase

[esf666]

i told dvla and my PCV entitlement was changed to yearly updates which is bl00dy annoying

[Martina]

I contacted DVLA and informed them i have OSA and had reply saying on my medical record but aslong as been treated there was no restrictions but if gets worse need to re contact them for re assesment.......also same answer when diagnosed with type 2 diabeties .... was told if not inform DVLA and you have accident insurance nil and void.... cover yourself......just incase

I had the same experience with OSA and Type 2 Diabetes (diagnosed two month after the OSA diagnosis). I realise I am one of the lucky ones to not have my licence suspended. I actually stopped driving for a few weeks anyway as felt unable to,but as soon as I got my CPAP machine I was a new woman, well until the Diabetes kicked in! Now I am a superwoman as everything is under control.My husband tells me the eyes in the back of my head have returned !!