Newbie self educate before Dr's appointment.

[dave21]

The only thing I would suggest is be careful on how much knowledge you let the doctor see that you have learned. For instance my GP really hates it when I tell him things either about my Sleep Apnea or about my RLS on the research I have carried out because I guess he feels I'm trying to 'self medicate' myself.

Some doctors are okay with this but some see it as a challenge and feel that patients in 'the know' are more of a challenge and are less likely to listen to what they have to say or changes they ask you to make.

For me I'm not trying to 'self medicate' myself, I'm just trying to understand the problems I have, what affects them and to be a smarter and more compliant patient. Some doctors like this and some hate this.

[BonnieB]

I'll be getting a CPAP machine on Thursday (Respironics Pro 450 with heated humidifier). I talked to a member of the staff at the sleep center several days after the study. She said that the doctor had written a prescription for the exact machine that they used in my sleep study, along with a heated humidifier. By reading the posts, I thought I would have to either talk to my doctor or argue with the DME to get a data capable model. But my doctor doesn't discuss it with you. He writes the prescription and sends it directly to the DME. There is no place in their normal protocol for the patient to advocate for a specific machine. I'm good with that. This guy really knows what he is doing.

[Slinky]

Nope. Wasn't either the exact same machine used during your in-lab titration PSG. They use a much more sophisticated device quite likely of the same brand (by the same manufacturer).

Yep. Those dang sleep doctors do like to do that. It doesn't mean you have to use that local DME provider or that you have to accept the xPAP that provider offers you.

T.S. about their normal protocol. Its YOUR health, YOUR sleep, YOUR therapy, YOU are paying for it, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is totally immaterial. YOU are still the one paying for it.

In the USA YOU have a LEGAL RIGHT to a copy of the doctor's dictated results, the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs from your in-lab PSGs as well as of your equipment order (script) under HIPAA.

However, you seem to feel comfortable w/the local DME provider and you've gotten a fully data capable CPAP so you are ahead of the game w/o the hassle of negotiating for what you want.

[Patth9]

Thanks Rested Gal, Dave 21, and Slinky,

Your encouragement means more to me than you can imagine, and the worthwhile information and vocabulary are priceless.

I took my education on the road yesterday. I found a DME that sells Resmeds and Resonics. I tossed out a few words like VPAP, BPAP, APAP, fully data accessible, told him I knew what DME meant (giggling like a school girl), and told him about the CPAPtalk.com site (that was my big gun). He was very helpful, I'm happy to say. He explained the pecking order of who would be contacting me first. Well, how much does anyone get it right as she is leaving the lab, 5:30AM, 5 hours of sleep, and is handed a paper that has the Dr.'s name in the middle as he say's "He'll be calling you in 5 to 10 days..."?

Anyway, it was a very good visit. He too is a CPAP user. The #1 best thing that came out of this was my husband, along for the adventure, got some answers for himself about his CPAP (unused living in the closet). Turns out, his CPAP is an auto S8 Resmed which means it can be used as a bi-level too. I had shared with my DH how much easier it was for me to accept the wind blower once it was turned into a bi-level blower. I believe he is going to give it another try once the DME helps him out.

I got my report card from the Sleep Lab today. On the Bi Pap the pressure was set at 10/6 and the apnea hiccups were reduced to 5 per hour and the oxygen was at 90%, oh yea, the snoring either stopped or went down, can't remember which it was. When the lady said she would give me the name of a place to pick up the Bi Pap, I told her, "No, I already have a place." She was surprised and I was smiling. So, I guess in a few days I will be suited up for the rest of my life. I hope I fall in love with my VPAP which can also be a CPAP and an APAP and is fully data capable. I am looking forward to getting my strength and liveliness back. There's nothing sorrier looking than a drooping line dancer.

Better stop now, this is beginning to look like a blog.

Patt