The Doctor

[sleepingalone]

One response I got a few days ago said that they never saw their Doctor after the sleep study. That happened to me and I have yet to see the Doctor. I have been on this machine for a year now and have only been seen by a 'representative' of the Doctor. I have not been able to use the original machine and have let this person know, but all I get "try another mask", "let's change to bi-pap", "your doing great according to the 'SMART card" ( I don't see how they can tell me that..that is why I always bring my wife along so she can let them know how I am sleeping), and then have been told I need to take pills to make this all work. I am not into taking pills/drugs.
I am confused with this medical condition. I know I need to take care of it, but it seems like there are way to many 'professionals' that need to make money to make it happen. From the Doctor to the clinician to the hospital to the supplier of the equipment......and now the pharmacist?
Any else feel as frustrated as I?

[roster]

......
Any else feel as frustrated as I?

Most of us have.

Practically speaking, there are not enough doctors and other professionals with enough time to take care of us properly. There are just too damn many of us and that does not include the legions that have not yet been diagnosed.

Fill out your profile and ask questions here. You will get plenty of advice.

To get a good therapy you will need a machine with full data capability.

Start by filling out your profile and telling us how you are doing.

[gasp]

I agree with rooster.

I do not deny that some doctors are amazing and worthy of their craft. However, while I have never seen my sleep doctor, I do wonder if he had been involved with my care if it would have made a difference. He did get my prescription to the DME for what I wanted so I'll give him that. I am disappointed it took him so long to read the sleep center report and get the prescription written.

[carbonman]

I am confused with this medical condition. I know I need to take care of it, but it seems like there are way to many 'professionals' that need to make money to make it happen.

I solved my confusion and frustration by getting MYSELF educated.
I read everything I can get my hands on.
If one thing isn't working, I don't hesitate to try something else.

I have become my own CPAP therapist. (my rates are very reasonable/on call 24/7)
I have much to learn, but I am in control......and I'm recovering,
because I am making it happen.

Hope this helps.

[roster]

....
I solved my confusion and frustration by getting MYSELF educated.
I read everything I can get my hands on.
If one thing isn't working, I don't hesitate to try something else.

I have become my own CPAP therapist. (my rates are very reasonable/on call 24/7)
I have much to learn, but I am in control......and I'm recovering,
because I am making it happen.

..........

That is the right way to do it.

BTW, You probably really do have a carbon footprint.

[Slinky]

Well, assuming that you are in the USA, the place to start now is to send a written request to the sleep lab where you had your studies done and request a copy of the doctor's dictated results (1-2 pages each) AND the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs (about 5+ pages each) from both your sleep evaluation AND your titration studies (unless you had a "split night" study, in which case there would be only one of each report). They are part of your medical records and you have a LEGAL RIGHT to them under HIPAA.

Whoops! While you are at it, you should also request a copy of every download of data from your smart card since you started CPAP therapy.

This will give you a better understanding of just what you are encountering during your sleep. You quite likely may have another sleep disorder in addition to OSA that CPAP therapy "might" have reduced or eliminated IF you could and would use your CPAP.

There's really not a whole lot more we can suggest until YOU know just what your sleep problem is and just what you can't tolerate about your CPAP therapy. Whilst you are waiting to receive those copies you would do well to educate yourself about OSA and CPAP therapy. Click on the Yellow Lightbulb at the top of the page (Our Collective Wisdom) for starters, not just the posts in the forum.