How often are your doc visits?

[Country4ever]

HI all,
I have a doc visit this friday, which I really don't need. My numbers never change and he's not into fine-tuning. He has me come in every 3 months. I'm thinking I really don't need that, so I'll suggest 6 months. What's the use, if nothing ever changes??
How often do you go? Thanks.

[mindy]

Hi Country,

I started CPAP in August ... had first folow-up appointment after 2 months and next will be 6 months after that. I don't know what the sequence will be after that - I would guess yearly.

Mindy

[sleepycarol]

Have never seen the sleep doctor.

My family doctor is handling my treatment. Of course she doesn't know much about sleep apnea but in some ways this is good as it allows me to educate her.

[RipVW]

Since my initial sleep study & follow-up appointment (July 2006), I've not seen that doc (I just see my GP every 6 months, but my apnea never comes up except when he remembers to ask me if I'm still using my CPAP). So, for me, the short answer is "Never."

[Slinky]

Mine have been "as needed". Which at first was 30 days, then would have been 90 days except I insisted at both 60 and 90 days due to problems I was having. After the 90 days visit I requested one other since I was still having problems I forget how long after starting therapy and the last correction we made. He now pretty much leaves it up to me when I feel I have a need to see him. (This is with the sleep doctor). When he gave me a script for Requip he did say he wanted to see me in 6 weeks but since I never started the Requip I just cancelled the appointment well in advance telling them I had not started the Requip and most likely wouldn't. I was told IF I did start the Requip to please schedule an appointment for six weeks from that date.

[fatfeminist]

i have had one doctor visit since i began cpap. it was about six weeks after my second sleep study, and two or three weeks after my cpap arrived. i am to see him again three months after the initial appointment, and then if everything is good there i only need to see him once a year, unless something drastic changes with my health/weight.

i see no reason why six months isn;t feasible.

[paloa]

Second attempt
All with Dr a sleep specialist
1 before sleep studies (1 sleep, 1 titration)
1 immediately after titration study
2 x 1 month
next one scheduled 6 months
Don't know after that

So far results have been very good.

Initial attempt
1 visit with Dr Sleep specialist
sleep study
Dr would only discuss results or follow up via phone. Dr would only return phone calls at her convenience. Dr would not schedule an appointment or set even a large range for return phone call time. This did not work for me.

[JeffH]

Nine years ago I saw a resident doc that was in his ENT rotation. That was the last time for me.

[zoeybd]

Are you speaking of your GP or your sleep Dr. I have never met my sleep Dr. I have had two nights of sleep study done and the Dr checks over everything the technicians have recorded and makes his recomendations for the sleep apnea problem. I have spoken about three times to the Sleep Tech who brought the mask and other needed equipment out to my home. Other than that "nada," which at times leaves me questioning some things. It was like after the sleep study and the charge of several thousand dollars, some of which is covered by insurance there isn't a whole heck of a lot of help. It is kind of frustrating because you don't want to be a putts about something but you do have occasional questions. I also have the feeling that if you ask too many questions they think you are being overly sensitive. Like after you have had your sleep study and equipment just deal with it.
I thank God for these boards where we can be assured we aren't nuts.
Good sleep in the New Year,
Zoeybd

[Country4ever]

Thanks everyone,

I think I will suggest once a year to him. I'm a bit concerned that he's just seeing me to make money off me, since he always acts fairly bored by the visit. My numbers have never changed much since I started this. So this Friday, I think I'll suggest only seeing him if anything changes. I'm sure its an easy $150-$200 bucks for him for a 5-10 minutes visit. I'm going to put an end to that.
The only reason I'm seeing the sleep doc is because I saw him initially to beg him to let me try the machine without a titration study. He was very nice to do so. But I really don't see the need to see him more than once a year now. Especially when my machine tells me approximately each morning how I'm doing. Thanks again.

[milkman]

If all is well, you should have a follow up 6 to 8 weeks after your sleep study/receipt of equipment, the a 6 month follow up, and annually after that. Unless of course you think something is not right, then you should make an appointment.

I'm always amazed when someone says they have never met their sleep doctor. In my opinion, if you have never met your sleep doctor, you do not have a sleep doctor. A doctor that never sees the patient? Never asks about sleep habits or patterns? Never examines the throat or nasal passages? But still makes a diagonsis and prescribes for the patient?
These type of sleep doctors should not only be dumped for a new doctor, but reported to the state board of medical examiners in their state.

[snoregirl]

I never had an opportunity to see the sleep doc that charged a ton to read my tests.
I have never felt the need to see my regular doc that sent me to the sleep study for a followup. I feel great, look at my data etc. Can't see a reason for an appt.

[Bearded_One]

In the past 12 years I have have not seen a doctor about my apnea. About a year ago I saw a PA who works at the practice where my primary care physician works. I told her that I have sleep apnea, have been on CPAP for 12 years, and that I needed a new sleep study; she ordered a few blood tests and a sleep study at a McSleep clinic. I wasn't seen or talked to by a doctor at the sleep clinic. My primary care physician is aware that I have sleep apnea, but we haven't discussed my sleep apnea or treatment at all. I haven't seen or talked to a doctor or PA about my sleep apnea for over a year.

[bdp522]

I have never seen a Sleep Doctor. My GP sees me once a year for a physical(needed for work), unless I get sick, then I call for an apptointment.

Brenda

[Goofproof]

I see mine (Pulmonary Medicine), every three months, just to help him pay his house payments. It was his idea for me to have a sleep test after my heart attack because of low O2 stats in the hospital.

I had the signs for years but were never dead tired, and still functioning until the attack.

Now I have control of my treatment. He's a good pleasant guy, he knows I do better than most of his patients, so he just runs tests to see I'm doing ok on a regular basis. Jim