Robert Dawkins- Tolerate CPAP book?

[chunkyfrog]

There really needs to be a spell checker that detects homonyms while analyzing syntax; and displays usage examples in the change dialogue.
Homonyms are the most common typo.--they are like puns--but not as funny.

[GumbyCT]

There really needs to be a spell checker that detects homonyms while analyzing syntax; and displays usage examples in the change dialogue.
Homonyms are the most common typo.--they are like puns--but not as funny.

MS Word?

[gregkIN]

I also got one of those PMs. When I checked it out and found that he was trying to sell his book, I just moved on. The one thing he said in his message was (and this is not exact) that he didn't want to post his message to me on the forum because the mention of his book would appear to be too self-serving.

[roster]

Next day data is fine..... but most of the people I see don't know how it really relates to their performance, some don't even understand it ... I certainly would never suggest they shouldn't have it immediately available it they want it .... I just haven't had anyone express an interest.

Why does the sleep profession not make each patient aware that software is available to help them manage their therapy? It has been clear to me in dealing with three different sleep docs and several professionals that they would like to keep their patients ignorant of this. This is analogous to keeping diabetic patients ignorant of home blood-glucose testing.

I understand the point that maybe even the majority of patients have no interest. The majority of diabetic patients do not keep their blood-glucose levels checked appropriately, but medical professionals do not keep the blood-glucose testers secret - in fact they promote them.

IMO, it is a shame on the sleep profession for not promoting the use of the software by patients.

[NotMuffy]

Well, "IMO", ol' Bobby there seems a little short on Knowledge Base, so the "free" stuff here is a heckuva lot better than paying the 15 bucks.

Plus, selling by PM qualifies as "slimeball" in my book (which is free, BTW).

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Interesting post NotMuffy ... and as I said, I sent a few PMs (about a dozen) so as not to be "broadcasting" .. beyond that, there was certainly no pressure to buy and the book is really more aimed at people who don't want to spend a lot of time on a forum (by the way, I encourage people tested in our lab to browse the web and forums; they often return to ask about what they read) ... but by simply going to look at the site, you are helping me, and I thank you for that.

As for knowledge base, again, interesting opinion.

PS: I would be interested in buying your book. Is there a link?

[TOken]

Interesting post NotMuffy ... and as I said, I sent a few PMs (about a dozen) so as not to be "broadcasting" .. beyond that, there was certainly no pressure to buy and the book is really more aimed at people who don't want to spend a lot of time on a forum (by the way, I encourage people tested in our lab to browse the web and forums; they often return to ask about what they read) ... but by simply going to look at the site, you are helping me, and I thank you for that.As for knowledge base, again, interesting opinion.

PS: I would be interested in buying your book. Is there a link?

WOW! Nice response. Do you think that being condescending will help sales?

Maybe there is some good reading available try:
http://www.amazon.com/How-deal-criticis ... 75&sr=1-16

and

http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-I ... 381&sr=1-1

[monica4patience]

GumbyCT

Next day data is fine..... but most of the people I see don't know how it really relates to their performance, some don't even understand it ... I certainly would never suggest they shouldn't have it immediately available it they want it .... I just haven't had anyone express an interest. Usually they want to come back and go over it with me, and I actually enjoy doing that.... when someone is tested in our lab, they can schedule an appointment to talk about how they are doing anytime, free of charge, indefinitely.... in practice, most of the visits are in the first couple months. I tell them that part of my job is getting them used to the machine.

Other than a letter requesting I call for an appointment in 6 weeks, I've not heard from my sleep doc, the sleep clinic, or the DME in the 9 days since I received my CPAP machine. I do not have my sleep study results from last month. I will, I assume, receive this when I see the sleep doc in mid-January.

I will not wait for 1-1/2 months to see whether my treatment is effective. I've wasted too much of life not sleeping, having no energy, and in pain, as it is. I have always been proactive about my health and will continue to be. The first thing I do every morning is to check my data. Only be comparing the data with how I slept and how I feel will I really know whether it's all working, or if there are some minor changes I can make so that I can get the sleep I crave.

Right now, between Christmas shopping, decorating, parties, getting kids to school & back, homework and my excessive amount of sleeping (12 hours), I just do not have time to send the SD card to the DME, for them to print it and send to Doctor and then for me to go to the doctor to......whatever. So much easier for me to have the software, download the data and review it in the comfort of my own home (in PJ's no less)!

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

monica4patience:

I have no argument with people having their own data immediately available, although I have not had anyone specifically ask about this.

The point is that your doctor, sleep lab, and DME are not responsive. There will always be situations where someone "falls through the cracks" and doesn't get called as soon as preferred but your followup with the sleep doc should be within a week or so of your polysomnogram. The DME should call you the next day after setting up your CPAP and again a few days later (although with the modem they can tell if you did OK and not bother you unless you had a problem). And the sleep lab should have a regular program, at least monthly, for you to ask questions and troubleshoot.

That has been my "crusade" ... that people are given a CPAP and told to learn to live with it ... that doctors, working parttime in sleep, are taking the money for the study but not giving you the support and information you need.

[roster]

... that doctors, working parttime in sleep, are taking the money for the study but not giving you the support and information you need.

A doctor is a very expensive resource to use for individual training and support.

Classes taught by professionals, internet forums, local patient-organized support groups, help from a friend, and even $14.95 e-books are much more efficient methods.

[chunkyfrog]

I agree with Rooster. Many of us are under-served by the profession; and consequently, we are dumped on the equipment marketers. I have never MET my Sleep doctor--no consultation, no check back. no nothing; he wrote the prescription and washed his hands of me. Now that I want to change my DME (the old one is a CROOK); I have to make an appointment as a NEW patient, and see him after the first of the year (insurance reset=$$$$) Frankly, I've come to see this as a GAME, and if I have to cheat to survive--so be it!

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Thank you roster ... that was the reason I did it in the first place, to be more efficient myself ... but I still think the sleep doc should spend ten minutes really explaining sleep apnea, what it means to health (and there really is a lot more than gets covered) and what to expect, then the others can provide the follow on support.... CPAP can be one of the most cost effective interventions we do ....

As for this thread, it has actually been good for sales. I really apologize if my approach offended anyone... it was intended to be the just opposite, to be less blatant and so avoid offending anyone ... and I needed to get some clicks on the site for SEO...

[SleepingUgly]

Dr. Dawkins,

What follows is my best guess as to what's going on here: You are not the first doctor here to have gotten criticized for selling information that would be helpful to patients (a fact to which Dr. Park can attest). You have to understand that on this forum one can find complete strangers who will spend HOUR upon HOUR, even DAYS, trying to help someone with their CPAP problems. It's hard for some people to stomach that someone would come here and sell information when others here readily donate it. It really has nothing to do with whether what you're selling has worth or value, but more that you're selling it. Then there is the HOW you're going about selling it, which -SWS addressed. This board subsists because of altruism. The good folks here who spend countless hours helping others haven't made a penny. For the reasons I've already mentioned, I think the fact that it's information sits less well with folks than if it were a product, such as that which padacheek or the papcap guy sell. I'm not entirely sure why there is at least one doctor that I think has not gotten the same flack (i.e., Dr. Falcon). Maybe someone who knows that history can speak to that, and perhaps it will show my hypothesis is off-base.

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

chunkyfrog ... that's what I'm complaining about. The sleep profession, at all levels, needs to serve the sleep patient.

Your sleep doctor should see you... preferably before your study (how did he/she know whether you had another sleep disorder besides OSAS or whether you needed an MSLT? If you had a CDL would he/she have warned you of the implications for your job?) and at least soon after your study to discuss results and implications for your health.

[cflame1]

you don't have to tell us that RDawkins... tell it to the doc's! They're the ones that aren't doing it.