Sleep specialist or "regular" doctor + satisfactio

I am curious about this from reading a number of posts. I am combining two in one here as the answers are a simple matrix of two types of doctor and two levels of satisfaction. By "regular" doctor I mean your GP or PCP and by sleep specialist I mean someone you see due to the OSA, whether the doc is a neuroligist, pulminary or whatever. Anyway...

Replying to myself after voting. I use my regular doctor. He sent me to the sleep lab and he received a report that a sleep doc, who I never met, made from the data collected at the lab. He is easy for me to talk to and has been very agreeable with doing what makes sense to me. I asked for APAP and didn't have to beg or plead. My copay is less with my GP than a specialist and he hasn't required me to come in for all the hoops you have to jump through, handling some of it over the phone and then having orders or perscription waiting for me at the front desk.

I used a "regular" doctor (an old family doctor) for one thing and one thing only - a prescription for autopap. I was very satisfied that he faxed the Rx to me without making me jump through any hoops at all. I've been able to buy whatever equipment I needed online. I've never had to deal with a sleep clinic or DME. Good thing, since I have no insurance.

I used both.

Sleep Specialist - Very dissatisfied

Regular Doctor - satisfied

Neither one was as good as they should be though. The Sleep Doc would not discuss the results with the actual patient - only with my PCP. My PCP did not know much about the subject but really listened to what I had to say and was willing to accomodate my requests. Unfortunately he has left his practice here to move closer to family, so I will never have the opportunity to "educate" him.

I am in the process of being evaluated for gastric bypass surgery. The requirements for the surgery are: treadmill by cardiologist, upper and lower GI series (yuck), mental checkup (I passed - lol), lab work, and sleep study. I talked with my GP about my snoring, triedness, etc. She was eager for me to have the sleep study. My second night will be Wednesday.

I have a strange question. When I awaken there is a dry strip down the middle of my tongue - really dry!!! What is this all about?? The specialist also said that I have a small throat airway. How did this happen? I has never been pointed out to be before. Has my tongue gotten fat since I have gained weight???

Another problem that has got me worried. I am the caregiver for my 88 year old mother. If the machine that I must wear to solve my sleep apnea is too loud, will I be able to hear her if she needs me???

Finally, I want to thank all of yall for the great informtion that is posed on this forum. God bless each and everyone of you.

The modern machines are not loud. You'll be able to hear her.

Some people have found that they were able to stop using cpap after losing a significant amount of weight, and for others weight loss doesn't "cure" it, but often allows them to be able to use less pressure. I doubt there's any way to know for sure ahead of time.

I'd just plan on using cpap day by day. Makes it easier to think about than thinking about "the rest of my life." I had no problem thinking about it being for the rest of my life from the very first morning I woke up feeling better. But some might like to think of it more as day to day - or night to night.

Just think though - you get to unhook every morning and go about your day as usual. A night-time treatment ain't so bad, for all its inconveniences. If it's going to help me avoid heart attack or stroke, I'm happy to flip that "On" switch at night....every night... for the rest of my life.