SA and PCV Drivers

[chelseauk]

Hi all.

I went over to French france yesterday and our coach driver happened to mention CPAP. Well that got me talking to him about SA and as we get asked about licences and the DVLA i asked about his PCV licence - basically he wasn't allowed to drive until he was put onto CPAP (Mild SA) now he's on it and can drive again (which was lucky seeing he was driving us) !

Hopefully he'll join us here - as i told him about this site - but a bit of good information for any professional drivers - so far no one seems to never drive professionally again (he couldn't drive for a year - i suspect had he gone private for the machine he'd have been back sooner).

[Joe McManus]

It's a concern because of how many truckers could be suffering from OSA. Many of them seem to know that reporting their problems equals DVLA revoking their license = no job so obviously, they are hesitant to do so.

If the NHS could actually turn around a complaint into diagnosis into treatment in 2-4 weeks, this wouldn't have been that big an issue. But because like you say it can take years, no wonder they carry on driving sleepsy. It's a real dilemma for thousands of sufferers.

[gvader]

Hi Joe,

It's not just OSA that affects the licence. I was diagnosed as diabetic around 10 years ago and was going OK until they decided to stick a bit of insulin in with the tablets. At that moment the trusty DVLA whipped my HGV of me faster than ferret down a drainpipe. One minute I was licensed to drive 38 tonne trucks and the next minute I'm allowed to drive a passenger car (not even allowed to drive a van!).

Just waiting now to hear if they're going to whip that off of me as well.

Regards,

GV

[puffin]

Any proffesional driver would think twice about reporting their OSA, when their living is at risk. Its a matter of paying their mortage or ending up on the street. Some how I can not bring myself to blame them.

My brother is at the point of loseing his HGV License for good due to being a diabetic as I know were you are coming from gvader.

[chelseauk]

I hate to say this - because some part of me says everyone should be the same. But perhaps the NHS should try to prioritise professional drivers a bit - for the rest of us it's annoying - for them it's important to keep on driving.

[acebass]

If the NHS could actually turn around a complaint into diagnosis into treatment in 2-4 weeks, this wouldn't have been that big an issue.

This very issue was raised by Professor John Stradling at the SATA 2007 Conference, he asked if users would prefer a sort of one stop shop rather than the current diagnosis/ sleep trial / followup series of appointments. Most people said although it was all a bit of a shock to be diagnosed etc, they would feel much better much sooner and this was a huge incentive to move towards this option where you would have a sleep study, see the consultant the following morning and then be issued with a machine and mask (if needed) straight away.....

I wait to see if there will be any follow up from this, as he was surprised by the number of people who would want this kind of service.

I hate to say this - because some part of me says everyone should be the same. But perhaps the NHS should try to prioritise professional drivers a bit - for the rest of us it's annoying - for them it's important to keep on driving.

I think in some respects you are right, but, it is perhaps more important for them to stop driving until properly treated as they are driving large heavy vehicles over very long periods all over the country....whilst their livlihood is extremely important, the danger to themselves and others must come into consideration. Sorry if that is contentious, it is just my opinion....

[JackTheSnorer]

I had no idea Diabetes also affects drivers. Learn something new every day?

What makes insulin so bad for drivers exactly?

[acebass]

I didn't either, I suppose it could be to do with slipping into a diabetic coma or feeling an attack coming on and not having insulin or a sugary snack handy...

[puffin]

Its a matter of moving from type2 Diabetes, which is diets / pills controlled, to type 1 Diabetes which involves injecting insulin. Your sugar levels can crash very quickly, Hypo. I once saw my grandmother have a hypo. We were sitting around having a cupper, she was chatter a way no problems. Within in a couple of seconds she was flat out on the floor, blacked out. This is more dangerous to the professional driver as there is often no warning to the sufferer! Unless you can increase the glucose quickly, the sufferer may die.

Both of my mothers parents, my mother and my younger brother had or have diabetes. My brother has been told that because of his diabetes he may be on a kidney machine in 5 years time. So far I have been tested every 6 months as I am in a high risk group, I have not been found to have diabetes.