woogie69, welcome, not sure about the rules in your country but CPAP takes different people different times to kick in and work, normally around 3 months to see real benefits but it depends on how bad you are, how long you have had it, how you heal etc. The good this is you have been diagnosed and your treatment will start son, please ask any questions you may have, if you have a look at some of the lastest post, two of the ladies have just started out themselves and have been asking and getting answers to the normal questions, good luck.

hi there warmest welcome to you..i hope you find this wonderful group to be helpful...i didnt know SA could cause a person to loose their driving privileges! wow

Thanks Tez, i have been reading all the latest posts etc and getting some good info.

Yes, e4now, in the letter i received from the hospital it said that i should inform the DVLA which is the UK Government department that deals with all driving Licenses etc. When i called them they immediately told me i had to surrender my license until my sleep apnea is under control. We had a recent story in my local town where somebody had epiplepsy and they DID NOT tell the government and they had an accident and killed somebody....they got 7 years jail!!!

You may want to join this site, it is a UK based site specifically for SA, I know a couple of guys on there that werent allowed drive either. Kath is fantastic, sells some equipment and has all the local knowledge.

http://hope2sleepguide.co.uk/forum

Thanks Tez will get on this..

Hi Woogie69. Welcome. Here in the US we don't have that restriction, but I understand that Canada will not let it's citizens drive with untreated SA.
As Tez, said, it will depend on the severity of your SA and how quickly you adjust to the CPAP>
My SA was quite severe and though I adjusted c=very quickly ( in a weeks time) to using my CPAP I had a sleep 'deficit' as we call it. So, it took some months before I felt better rested and more clear headed.
You need to find out what you have to do to qualify to get your license back. Do you just have to show you're sleeping 6 to 8 hours a night? Or do you have to prove mental acuity? It may be that you will need your sleep doctor to attest that your SA is being successfully treated before you can drive again.

Have you had a sleep study yet?

Well, I guess if you've been diagnosed with SA then you have had your sleep study. Duh!
Have you gotten the results and have you heard when you'll be getting your CPAP?

Liz, I have had my sleep study and been diagnosed, just waiting for an appointment to get my cpap. I guess i will have to show the doctor i am responding well and its under control, then i will be able to drive again.

OK. Hope you won't have to wait too long to get your machine. We're here if you have further questions or just need a place where there are others that understand what you're going through.
Good luck to you.

Thanks Everyone...

Hi
Woogie 69.

Welcome, I have been on CPAP for a little over 2 weeks. This forum has really helped me and I know it you help you tool.

I am in the US but have been reading all kinds of things about driving while drowsy. SA is very seriousl In fact my initial sleep study results said that I should refrain from driving until treated. During my initial appointment with my sleep doctor for her to share my results she warned me that with the sleep study it has been documented that I have SA and that I must be very careful because if I was to get in an accident there could be very serious consequences.

Hang in there, I am sure you will be back on the road before you know it.

i hope you get settled in your new routine and adjust well so the drs can sign off on you being able to drive again soon...keep with it, it works