How many doctors did you try until you found a good one?

[sleepy1235]

I notice in this forum people often talk about going through multiple doctors until they find a good one.

I have had to move so by necessity I had to change doctors. However, I am dropping my current doctor.

So how many did you have to try until you found a good doctor?

[49er]

I notice in this forum people often talk about going through multiple doctors until they find a good one.

I have had to move so by necessity I had to change doctors. However, I am dropping my current doctor.

So how many did you have to try until you found a good doctor?

Next time I visit a sleep doctor, I would be looking for number 3.

49er

[sawinglogz]

I was lucky enough to find a good one on the first try, other than her incredibly flakey assistant.

[oak]

I changed my general practitioner. Haven't been to a sleep doc yet.

[chunkyfrog]

I've had to change doctors and dentists several times due to insurance changes.
Only one sleep doc, so far. He's not perfect, but maybe I can teach him.

[avi123]

I notice in this forum people often talk about going through multiple doctors until they find a good one.

I have had to move so by necessity I had to change doctors. However, I am dropping my current doctor.

So how many did you have to try until you found a good doctor?

Reply,

You're using the word Doctor, willy nilly, without stating its designation. For example, are you referring to a Physician who holds MD designations in Neurology and Sleep Medicine, or holds MDs in each Internal, plus Pulmonology plus Sleep medicine, OR just a Family Practitioner?

Please clarify.

[Eureka]

I have had only one sleep doctor. And all he did was send me to do a sleep test, and again for tritation. Gave me my report and wrote the scipt for a machine. No other advice or help. And I haven't seen him since. My help came from this forum.

[Sheriff Buford]

I believe that if you educate yourself, have cpap therapy under control, and if you don't have other issues... why would you want to see a doctor? Doctors are "one notch" above a DME... and I'm lookin' down. I wouldn't worry about it.

Sheriff

[jdm2857]

Reply,

You're using the word Doctor, willy nilly, without stating its designation. For example, are you referring to a Physician who holds MD designations in Neurology and Sleep Medicine, or holds MDs in each Internal, plus Pulmonology plus Sleep medicine, OR just a Family Practitioner?

Please clarify.

Why do you insist in over complicating everything?

While the specialties of a "sleep doctor" may matter in complex situations, for uncomplicated
OSA the doctor's attitude toward patients and willingness to work with the patient to solve
problems is more important than fellowships held.

And, BTW an MD is an MD. And any one person only holds one. Doctors may be board certified
and/or have done fellowships in several specialties, but they do not hold an MD in each one.

One more thing. Most of use are smart enough to figure out that your replies are indeed replies.
No need to address them to "Reply", whoever that is.

[LSAT]

I notice in this forum people often talk about going through multiple doctors until they find a good one.

I have had to move so by necessity I had to change doctors. However, I am dropping my current doctor.

So how many did you have to try until you found a good doctor?

I would be happy to reply, but you said you don't want replys from old people.

[chunkyfrog]

In looking at the "creds" of "sleep doctors" in my area, it appears that there is none who would consider sleep
as the first line in his resume; with nearly all, it's a line near the bottom, like a post script.
I hope to God I never need an expert; the current guy is only there to provide rubber stamping
so I can force insurance to give me my money's worth.

[Wulfman...]

I notice in this forum people often talk about going through multiple doctors until they find a good one.

I have had to move so by necessity I had to change doctors. However, I am dropping my current doctor.

So how many did you have to try until you found a good doctor?

You talking about sleep doctors or doctors in general?

I've been on this forum for over eight years and haven't read about more than a few people who were able to "doctor shop" in this particular therapy. The vast majority take what they get and don't know the difference.

Nine years ago there was ONE "sleep doctor" in this area and nine years later there is STILL ONE in this area......and he didn't know diddly squat back then. Anyone in this area who wants to "doctor shop" has to travel at least 130 miles one way to find another. Regarding general practitioners and other types of family doctors, it's getting tough to find one around here that's taking new patients, too.

I just got my CPAP prescription from my pulmonologist/"sleep doctor", bought the machine of my choice and never went back beyond a couple of early follow-up meetings.


Den

.

[LisaSch]

I guess my question is what defines a good sleep doctor? What are the credentials and how should they be talking to us about our reports. So far, my ENT has shed little like on my report. He seemed more concerned with my AHI and less on the quality of my sleep. I need to look at the quality now that my AHI is under 1, but I am still tired.

[chunkyfrog]

Ideally, you want a doctor who welcomes an informed, empowered patient,
and is open to a partnership with this new type of patient.
At the least, you want one who will write a prescription for the equipment YOU want,
and will not "micromanage" your therapy as long as you are doing all right.

[robysue]

Ideally, you want a doctor who welcomes an informed, empowered patient,
and is open to a partnership with this new type of patient.
At the least, you want one who will write a prescription for the equipment YOU want,
and will not "micromanage" your therapy as long as you are doing all right.

And add to this: Someone who actually listens to you and is willing to really look at the data when things aren't going so smoothly.

A sleep doc who never looks at the data and whose response to all CPAP-related problems is always a choice between

1. You need to just try harder and be more patient
2. You must be leaking. Use a chin strap.
3. Let's up the pressure and see if that helps.

is not of any real use to those of us with difficult adjustment periods.

As for me? I'm on sleep doc #4 and he seems to be a keeper.