Sleep test as part of pysical exam

I seriously think that sleep test should be made as part of the physical exam. At least every few years after you become 30 years old or sooner if you have the symptoms.
I have read so many postings on this site as how people have suffered, misdiagnosed, etc. etc. before going to a sleep center and being diagnosed with OSA.
I have suffered from depression since I was 18. The primary symptom became Insomnia when I started working at age of 27. And then the sleeping pills for 20 years !!! Eventually, my psychologist told me 2 years ago "Don't you think you should go to a sleep center and see what the root of the problem is?". This is when my journey began to the hose-head worlds 4 months ago.
It seems that so many people are suffering before being detected for possible OSA and treatment. What do you think the solutions is? Tell me about your story.
Happy New Year

I have no doubt that all sorts of problems (diagnosed and undiagnosed) may have OSA as a contributing factor. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with disthymia (a mild sort of depression), but I now realize that the real issue may have been lack of good sleep leading to a lack of energy, interest, and focus. Almost a year ago I did a sleep study because my girlfriend couldn't sleep - due to my snoring. It turned out I have moderate sleep apnea. I'm still waiting to feel significant benefit from the CPAP therapy. Having recently discovered this forum, I've started experimenting with different masks and have bought myself an AutoPAP. I haven't heard from my DME or my ENT since I got the CPAP from them 9 months ago - not a peep. And I didn't know any better. So, the problem isn't just lot's of folks going undiagnosed, even those of us who get the sleep study and treatment don't always get the education and follow-up that should be part of the treatment process. Thank heavens for the internet and forums like this one!!

snamvar,

I agree OSA screening should be part of the standard work-up when you reach the magic age. The problem is it won't be as long as it involves a $2000+ sleep study. The key is always finding a cheap diagnoses tool. If a mamogram cost $2000 women would not be getting them. The technology is there to send one home with a recording cpap for an overnight look at their breathing. This won't be perfect but it's going to catch more than doing nothing. If the results are positive then a sleep study could be ordered.

sinemac,

Your point goes to a whole other problem that I don't have a fix for other than somehow eliminating the pseudo-medical care offered by many DMEs. As with most things though the best solution is for the patient to become informed and with their Doc make the treatment decisions that work best for them.

Amen to everything wader said!

snamvar, your story (that you told so well) is the situation for too many. Undiagnosed and untreated too long. And, as you pointed out, follow-up education and assistance after treatement finally gets started is woefully inadequate.

sinemac, you said it!... "thank heavens for the internet and forums like this one!"

We do need to be our own advocates insofar as each person is capable. Message boards like this one (and talkaboutsleep and sleepnet) can help guide many people toward much more effective and comfortable treatment than they receive from many doctors and health care professionals - even those supposedly specializing in "sleep".