Does the doc really know anything??

Does the pulmonoligist(spelling?) know all the different cpap/bipap machines and there features and functions, or does he know the basics about the machines? I hear alot more different machine on the board. I go friday to talk to talk to him. I wonder if he just scripts the ST figuring it can cover it all and what the heck he doesn't pay for it!!!!

The docs know what is going on, they just sometimes have trouble communicating. Just have all your questions ready.

The way I see it they are just practicing medicine

A good doctor, (like a good accountant, a good investment broker, a good T.V. salesman, etc.) keeps abreast of all the latest information in her field. She makes it a point to read new studies, research new products and investigate client concerns. She remains ethical and unbiased despite marketing/vendor/insurance influences.

There are docs out there who really do know what's going on.

Then again, there are docs out there who haven't a clue.

The medical community is no different than the rest of the general population. When you're dealing with human beings, whatever their field, there are good ones and there are bad ones. One would like to think certain professions (doctors, mothers, priests, etc.) are less likely to harbor inadequate, dangerous and just plain bad human beings. We all know it is a tragic mistake to make such an assumption.

Here's my observation. I revisited my pulmonologist in March, about 2 years after our initial meeting and sleep study. My goal for the visit was to get a script for an APAP--and to NOT repeat the sleep study.

He was all for the APAP, but when I told him I wanted the RemStar Auto with CFLex, he told me CFlex wasn't available in the Auto. But, armed with the info from this forum, I was able to explain to him that the machine WAS available. He then laughed at how "you internet folks" know more about this stuff than the doctors! Keep in mind, this is the pulmonologist who works at the hospital's sleep center, and reviews all the studies!!

In the words of RR: "TRUST BUT VERIFY"

Grant

Sleep docs are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.
All docs, as well as all in any endeavor, follow this truism.

Some are very much on the top of their games, some hanve no clue,

hence the admonition-

tomjax

I'm an old dork (can't wait for the spellcheck),

When I was a much younger dork I listened to my parents, respected authority, thought elected politicians were there to represent me and above all trusted implicitly whatever doctors told me.

Since then parents died, still try to respect authority, always vote for the party not in power (doesn't really matter much - the system just got too big and their all trying to take advantage of it without getting caught) and try to understand what my doctor really knows. Grant I made a very good point we should all take to heart ( nose, lung - whatever).

We are really our own doctor and the professionals we visit are only consultants. For the most part they are trying to do their best but with the rapid expansion of information available today it's tough even for them to keep up. The good news, is that much of the info is available to individuals, especially through forums like this where first hand experiences are divulged.

We have to learn to fend for ourselves and actively seek facts pertinent to our own conditions. Then confront our consultants with this information. If they are at all open minded our treatment should be better.

Kind of rambling but I think you have to at least kick the tire before you buy the car.

Have to stop now as just have to find out if dork is really a word.

Bob F

Guess what - it is! Don't know what it means but who cares, the only word I used that is not a word is spellcheck. Go figure!

Grant I wrote: ...CFlex wasn't available in the Auto.... Keep in mind, this is the pulmonologist who works at the hospital's sleep center, and reviews all the studies!!

The fact that a doctor may not be aware of all the latest new product releases from all the vendors doesn't suggest to me he doesn't know what he is doing. It's actually commendable he was aware that up until very recently that CFLEX was not available on the auto. Hopefully he's spending his time advancing his medical knowledge and helping patients.

just my opinion

.

Went to the pulmonoligist(spelling?) He wants to do the home oxy test on the finger to see if i can get away from bipap st and go with normal bipap.
Asked about surgery to correct SA, say's i'm not a good candidate due to physical build. most doctors jump at chance to due surgery so i was surprised at his answer!!!!
Also asked about another sleep study and he really didn't want to unless i wanted it!! another surprise

Hi notbigenuf1,

I changed sleep doctors after the first one was not responsive to my desire to get involved with my care.

The new -- and better IMHO -- doc was not familiar with the APAP that I had purchased, but did a very thorough first visit with history and exam, and was very concerned about my oxygen desaturations during my sleep study. He also suggested the overnight recording pulse oximetry as a double check to make sure that the auto was doing it's job, and that made absolute sense to me! It was easy and confirmed that the auto was doing its job and set my mind at ease.

It sounds to me like you have a savvy, concerned doc who has your welfare firmly in front of him. Sounds like a keeper to me!

Good luck and hats off on finding a good doc!