If we’ve ever shared a room or taken a long road trip together, you probably already know this about me: I snore. Loudly. I’ve done it most of my life and never thought much of it. With asthma and allergies in the mix, I always assumed it was just part of the package.
But things changed recently, thanks to a required DOT (Department of Transportation) medical card renewal. Let me explain.
What’s a DOT Medical Card, and Why Does It Matter?
As a truck driver, I’m required to maintain a valid DOT Medical Card to prove I’m medically cleared to drive. It’s a pretty routine physical: weight, eyesight, hearing, reflexes, etc. Nothing fancy.
Now, let me just say: I’ve seen some hefty folks pass that physical and wondered how. So I wasn’t too worried when my turn came. Especially since our terminal in Springfield has an in-house clinic, chiropractor, and sleep study center. Super convenient.
Everything went fine… until we got to my BMI and neck size. That’s when the red flag went up.
“Medically Obese”: A Reality Check
Seeing “obese” on paper hit hard. I’ve always been active…teaching ZUMBA classes, riding trails, running 5Ks. But after COVID shut down my gym (RIP Woodcreek in Tyler) and changed everything, my activity dropped off. Combine that with sitting behind the wheel for a living, and well… weight crept up.
In team trucking, one person drives while the other sleeps. That means the truck rarely stops except for fuel or loading/unloading. Long story short: no time for workouts.
The Sleep Study Surprise
Because of my BMI, the DOT physician required a sleep study before renewing my card. Cue the anxiety. I didn’t know what to expect, but I got it scheduled and showed up at the clinic around 9:45 p.m.
To my surprise, the room looked more like a bunkhouse room than a clinic, which was oddly comforting. The tech was chill and walked me through the process…until the wires came out.
Sensors on my chest, arms, scalp, a couple of belts, a nasal cannula, and a pulse ox on my finger… it felt like I was hooked up for a lie detector at NASA. Sleeping while being watched on camera? Not ideal. But eventually, I dozed off.
At one point, they woke me up to put on a CPAP machine, so they could compare sleep data with and without it.
The Diagnosis: Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Around 6:00 a.m., they gently woke me up. I didn’t feel very rested, but that’s how I usually feel, so I didn’t think much of it. Later that day, the doctor went over my results.
The verdict?
Every 45 seconds, I stopped breathing in my sleep.
Let that sink in.
I was officially diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. That hit me like a ton of bricks.
The Machine That Changed My Sleep
After the diagnosis, I met with a tech who introduced me to my new travel buddy: a CPAP machine. It’s quieter than I expected and reminds me of the asthma nebulizer treatments I used as a kid.
But here’s the catch…I have to use it every night, even on vacation, to remain DOT compliant.
I dreaded the first night using it in the truck. But guess what? It wasn’t bad. I slept through the night, woke up feeling refreshed, and had more energy than usual. That was a first in a long time.
So… Is This What Getting Old Feels Like?
Maybe. Or maybe it’s just life nudging me toward better health, even if it took a snoring diagnosis to do it.
What I do know is this: taking care of your health is worth the hassle. Whether it’s getting a sleep study, using a CPAP, or just listening to your body, it matters.
Stay safe out there, drivers. And get some real sleep.
#TruckDriverLife #SleepApnea #DOTMedicalCard #CPAPJourney #HealthOnTheRoad #LifeAfterCOVID #TruckingHealth
Big Wheels Keep On Turnin' 