Sleep Doc Followups - Yes or No?

[Mel0806]

He does not write a yearly script, only did the initial one for the DME so I could get a machine. Not sure where you got that(?)


Yeah — I mixed it up with others who get scripts once a year. Sorry.

[dataq1]

I would not solely entrust my health to internet forums where the qualifications to give advice comes into question. And while an OSCAR graph may be useful and help to fine tune settings, it doesn't factor in a persons full medical history, prescripts, lifestyle, etc. which may be key factors to issues a person might be having related to apnea and subsequent therapy.

You are touching on a topic that I raised some months ago, that is the qualifications of the denizens here.

I had asked if any of the correspondents here had some qualification to offer advice and counsel beyond their own personal experience, as it seemed to me that attacks on "sleep docs" were akin to the grumblings of random internet social personalities bound only by a common use of PaP equipment.

Not one cpaptalker offer any credentials or professional background, in fact, it was suggested that no one would want admit to any professional training or credentials for fear of some (unknown) repercussion.

On the positive side, It's convenient to have a discussion group where folks can swap their personal stories, observations (for example) that some mask worked for me can be useful. Or the anecdote that the world would not come crashing down, if one used the same mask interface for over three months. That a machine recorded (and reported by OSCAR) flag might need to be reevaluated in the context of state of sleep (semi-awaken junk) is informative concept to bear in mind.

The tag line to this forum says this:
"The information provided on Cpaptalk.com is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice."

The information provided on this forum is provided by the contributors and not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Seemly everything here is opinion, provided by contributors who have no known qualifications.

User beware, take the good with the bad here and when all else fails go to a professional with who you have confidence.

[Dog Slobber]

You are touching on a topic that I raised some months ago, that is the qualifications of the denizens here.

[snip]

Not only are there few Doctors here, there are also dishonest liars, like dataq1.

[dataq1]

Why would you have a PCP evaluate your progress regarding sleep apnea when he is clueless? In my opinion you should get a referral from your PCP and see a real sleep specialist who can and will read your results. My PCP referred me to a pulmonologist with no hesitation and that’s who I see for sleep apnea. I have my next follow up in October and he will go over my stats and progress.

So let me tell you my personal story. 20 years ago, I was referred to a cardiologist for PVCs, by my employer's doctor. After taking a extensive medical history (but before he did anything), he referred me to a pulmonologist because I had said that frequently woke up with headaches. (to the best of my recollection I had never been ask about that before). The pulmonologist scheduled me for a sleep study and that study was the basis of my OSA diagnosis. I was given a choice of several DMEs, and the pulmonologist wrote the equipment order and signed the statement of medical necessity. and I was on my way (to greatly reduced morning headaches).

I've had several DME's over the course of the past 20 so years, including Lincare, Apria, US Medical, Rotech, and a local medical equipment supplier. In every case, the DME required an annual order from the pulmonologist/sleep specialist. In order to get that order, the pulmanologist required that I come to see her and we went over my compliance, my Respironics download and or Sleepyhead and or OSCAR data. We would discuss the need to alter the min and max settings as well as the comfort level with EPR and ramps. She would examine my nose, my throat, my ears, take a expiratory blast test, and ask if I had any concerns or questions. We would discuss any other health issues that might impact my respiratory health (BMI, aerobic exercise, etc) including sleep hygiene and humidification.

2-3 years ago my PCP informed me that he had completed an online course and was now "entitled" to issue Cpap equipment orders, and wouldn't that make it real convenient for me, I'd no longer have to see my pulmonologist for the order for my Cpap supplies for the following year.

I respectfully declined.

You see, my personal preference is to see the specialist whose area of expertise is in the issue I want/need addressed.

For that same reason, I see an Ophthalmologist annually rather than Optician.

[dataq1]

When all else fails, immediately resort to unfounded baseless personal attacks

[Dog Slobber]

When all else fails, immediately resort to unfounded baseless personal attacks

You know exactly what I am referring to, you even PMed me about it, which I responded to and explained my position. You didn't address any of my points in the topic, nor in the PM that you sent me.

If you are going to lie, then learn to live with being called a liar.

Feel free to address my points in PM.

[Midnight Strangler]

the pulmanologist required that I come to see her and we went over my compliance, my Respironics download and or Sleepyhead and or OSCAR data. We would discuss the need to alter the min and max settings as well as the comfort level with EPR and ramps. She would examine my nose, my throat, my ears, take a expiratory blast test, and ask if I had any concerns or questions. We would discuss any other health issues that might impact my respiratory health (BMI, aerobic exercise, etc) including sleep hygiene and humidification.

You see, my personal preference is to see the specialist whose area of expertise is in the issue I want/need addressed.

I agree. Your posts indicate that you need all the help you can get.

Others can easily do it themselves.

[Mel0806]

As I recall, when I joined this forum in 2008, I just read up on as much anecdotal information as I could. I did notice; however, that there was a lot of bullying from a few complete a-holes.

Unfortunately that still exists today with one going out of his way to call out someone for a possible old transgression that has absolutely nothing to do with this thread and even referring to a private conversation. He even tried to bait me and now I see his new thread has been deleted. I guess one shouldn’t disagree with the status quo or they’ll pay a price. Bring it on!

[lynninnj]

Why would you have a PCP evaluate your progress regarding sleep apnea when he is clueless? In my opinion you should get a referral from your PCP and see a real sleep specialist who can and will read your results. My PCP referred me to a pulmonologist with no hesitation and that’s who I see for sleep apnea. I have my next follow up in October and he will go over my stats and progress.

So let me tell you my personal story. 20 years ago, I was referred to a cardiologist for PVCs, by my employer's doctor. After taking a extensive medical history (but before he did anything), he referred me to a pulmonologist because I had said that frequently woke up with headaches. (to the best of my recollection I had never been ask about that before). The pulmonologist scheduled me for a sleep study and that study was the basis of my OSA diagnosis. I was given a choice of several DMEs, and the pulmonologist wrote the equipment order and signed the statement of medical necessity. and I was on my way (to greatly reduced morning headaches).

I've had several DME's over the course of the past 20 so years, including Lincare, Apria, US Medical, Rotech, and a local medical equipment supplier. In every case, the DME required an annual order from the pulmonologist/sleep specialist. In order to get that order, the pulmanologist required that I come to see her and we went over my compliance, my Respironics download and or Sleepyhead and or OSCAR data. We would discuss the need to alter the min and max settings as well as the comfort level with EPR and ramps. She would examine my nose, my throat, my ears, take a expiratory blast test, and ask if I had any concerns or questions. We would discuss any other health issues that might impact my respiratory health (BMI, aerobic exercise, etc) including sleep hygiene and humidification.

2-3 years ago my PCP informed me that he had completed an online course and was now "entitled" to issue Cpap equipment orders, and wouldn't that make it real convenient for me, I'd no longer have to see my pulmonologist for the order for my Cpap supplies for the following year.

I respectfully declined.

You see, my personal preference is to see the specialist whose area of expertise is in the issue I want/need addressed.

For that same reason, I see an Ophthalmologist annually rather than Optician.

Sounds like good thorough care.

Well done.

Edit:(JFTR I say that based on what was said above and has nothing to do with the pussing contest that seems to be going on here, on which I have no interest in. )

[palerider]

As I recall, when I joined this forum in 2008, I just read up on as much anecdotal information as I could. I did notice; however, that there was a lot of bullying from a few complete a-holes.

Now, if we're LUCKY there'll be another 14 years before your next post.

[babydinosnoreless]

You see, my personal preference is to see the specialist whose area of expertise is in the issue I want/need addressed.

I agree. Your posts indicate that you need all the help you can get.

Others can easily do it themselves.

Most of this thread I can't see because I use my foe list frequently but this one came through. You sir win the internet for today !

[ozij]

Not one cpaptalker offer any credentials or professional background, in fact, it was suggested that no one would want admit to any professional training or credentials for fear of some (unknown) repercussion.

This response is meant for any newbie concerned by the above statement:

Anyone who trusts credentials offered on an online forum is naive. Credentials can be faked - by photoshop or otherwise.

Trust on an online forum comes from reading what people write, thinking about it, seeing how well or how badly it fits with your own experience and with the knowledge you've gleaned by doing some research on your own.

This is a forum in which cpap users talk about their experience and learn from each other. Not more.

Are some of us more experienced than others? Definitely. Are some of us more knowledgeable than others? Yes.
Personally, I twinge when some members refer to others as "experts". I don't know when that term first appeared, but I know it was not here when I started, in 2005. That said, as I read and learned, it grew clear to me who I could trust, and who I would turn to - because I read the forum carefully.
I took a long break when unmoderated nastiness became far greater than helpfulness. Fortunately, now the forum has a moderator. Nastiness pops its head every now and then - but gets cut off.

So, if you're a concerned newbie: Do a lot of reading of anecdotes, and make up your own mind which advice you want to trust, and from whom. Focus on your own experience - your one and only single case is the case you want to solve. You may belong to the majority, you may be and outlier. Aggregate data may - or may not - be relevant to your one and only singular experience.

Of course, dear newbie, if you take dataq1 seriously, you may decide that you should trust no one here, and that you had better run for your life. That would be a big pity - many have been helped by tips and advice they got here. Do trust your ability to sift through nonsense and posturing and don't give up on improving your CPAP therapy. And don't let occasional nastiness turn you away. If you take the time to figure out who is knowledgeable and helpful, you will gain a lot.

[zonker]

If you take the time to figure out who is knowledgeable and helpful, you will gain a lot.

you often post the most well thought out and expressed comments on this forum. while i may not agree with everything you say, on this particular point, you are spot on.

very well said, indeed.

[Pugsy]

Back on topic folks.
Please..... no more snarky, snide, or profane remarks about someone whether you think they rightly deserved or not.

In case you all have forgotten what the original topic was....reread the very first post in this thread.

Further off topic personal attacks will be promptly removed. You guys/gals know I don't make empty threats.

Thank you very much for helping to keep the peace here.

[Applecheeks]

IMO, annual Sleep Doc follow-ups may be required by your insurer to cover equipment. So if you are paying OOP, and your supplier does not need a "fresh" prescription, followups are discretionary (like if you've a problem or question that you want a professional's advice.

Of course, dear newbie, if you take dataq1 seriously, you may decide that you should trust no one here, and that you had better run for your life. That would be a big pity - many have been helped by tips and advice they got here. Do trust your ability to sift through nonsense and posturing and don't give up on improving your CPAP therapy. And don't let occasional nastiness turn you away. If you take the time to figure out who is knowledgeable and helpful, you will gain a lot.

IMO, Dataq1 got it right when he summarized with:

The tag line to this forum says this:
"The information provided on Cpaptalk.com is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice."

The information provided on this forum is provided by the contributors and not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Seemly everything here is opinion, provided by contributors who have no known qualifications.

I didn't see any nastiness in that, simply an emphasis on what the host of this forum has posted at the bottom of each and every forum webpage. Newbies should take note of that seriously and act or react accordingly with that context in mind.