POLL: Top problems in U.S. in diagnosis & treatment of OSA

[codinqueen]

I think cost of sleep studies and equipment for CPAP or Bi-PAP is keeping many sufferers from diagnosis and treatment.I will be using my mask, hose, and nose pads the rest of my life probably, without replacing them, because I can't afford ONE MORE expensive co-pay. My S9 better last till I die, too. Those people with insurance and money for co-pay are lucky, but first their PCP needs to send pt to sleep doc for dx, and people without money don't go to specialists, and will rarely let their PCP's talk them into expensive sleep studies.

[Slinky]

What a hose race, primary care doctors and local DME providers running a close neck and neck race!
Which one is going to win the "run for the hoses"?
Or will a "dark hose" come from behind to win?
Which of the favorites is going to "nose out" the other?
Will one from the field take over in the back stretch?
Stay tuned for the interesting outcome.

[jnk]

. . . to win the "run for the hoses"? . . .

[jnk]

Would someone please vote either for docs or for DMEs so that we can have a clear winner?!!

(or would that be "loser"?)

[Slinky]

Oh, the winners, regardless of who, or which if you prefer, are still real losers!!!

[DreamDiver]

I'd go as far as saying:

A. Many primary care physicians are clueless about SDB's.
B. Many sleep docs are clueless about anything other than standardized sleeping disorder diagnoses and don't care to learn more because sleep medicine is not their first profession. For some, it's just a money grab.
C. Most DME's actively foil patient progress.
D. Sleep techs in sleep labs bend over backwards to attempt to help patients, doing the work for doctors who stamp their approval on the results they found. They get little recognition for what they do. The entire industry would collapse if the doctors had to do figure out how to do the real work themselves.

[Slinky]

A-MEN, DreamDiver!!! Hail to the TRUE HEROES of sleep medicine, the RPSGTs!!!!

[jnk]

I think cost of sleep studies and equipment for CPAP or Bi-PAP is keeping many sufferers from diagnosis and treatment

And I think you are right. That should have been in my list.

I'd go as far as saying:

A. Primary care physicians are clueless about SDB's.
B. Many sleep docs are clueless about anything other than standardized sleeping disorder diagnoses and don't care to learn more because sleep medicine is not their first profession. For some, it's just a money grab.
C. DME's actively foil patient progress.
D. Sleep techs in sleep labs bend over backwards to attempt to help patients, doing the work for doctors who stamp their approval on the results they found. They get little recognition for what they do. The entire industry would collapse if the doctors had to do figure out how to do the real work themselves.

And I would go so far as agreeing with you.

Although I would probably say "Many" for "A." And "Many" for "C." And "Many" for "D." (Just like you did for "B.") But, hey, that's just because weaselers like me are big on "weasel words." I (mostly) never write a sentence without one.

Signed: Mr. Wishy-Washy.

[DreamDiver]

And I would go so far as agreeing with you.

Although I would probably say "Many" for "A." And "Many" for "C." And "Many" for "D." (Just like you did for "B.") But, hey, that's just because weaselers like me are big on "weasel words." I (mostly) never write a sentence without one.

Signed: Mr. Wishy-Washy.

I agree, so I've edited it, except for D, but that's been my experience so far.

[jnk]

. . . except for D, but that's been my experience so far.

Yep. Been my experience too. I agree that "Many" doesn't belong on "D." I mean, yeah, I would have put it there, if I wrote it, because that's how weaselish I am; but it I agree it doesn't belong. Good call.

Wonder what would happen if all the sleep docs and DMEs got fired tomorrow and the experienced RPSGTs were promoted to lab manager and put in total charge of testing, diagnosing, and equipment? Think of all the money (and possibly lives) that might be saved! Patients who didn't respond well to PAP could get their money back and then be referred to MDs.

Nah. Makes too much sense, so it could never happen.

[wesnkat]

I think the major problem is the medical profession as a whole trying to keep us in the dark about our treatment options.We need to know this as well as them since it is us that have to find the best option to deal with the problem daily.After all we only see them every so often,if at all.They do not seem to understand 1/10 th liter on settings means the difference on success or failure to a hosehead.When we need a change,we need it now not 3 or 6 mos later.

[jnk]

Are you guys sure ya ain't lettin' the dentists off too easy?

[Slinky]

Maybe because the dentists don't get their hands on us that often??? Besides their "cure" is so expensive and so painful .... how many get that absolutely desperate they'd rather go thru that pain and misery than stick w/PAP???

[JayR_1945]

The original sleep researchers were Dr. Dement and Guilleminault from Stanford University.
They were Psychiatrists, who get patients who no one else can fix, and have given up on them.
They and and their staff and eventually the respiratory techs spent a lot of sleepless nights helping us out. Today you can get wired up at home bring the equipment back the next day for analysis.

They are the "sleep gods".
I pray that they are now finally getting a good nights sleep, ...and hopefully filthy rich.

[rested gal]

The original sleep researchers were Dr. Dement and Guilleminault from Stanford University.
They were Psychiatrists, who get patients who no one else can fix, and have given up on them.
They and and their staff and eventually the respiratory techs spent a lot of sleepless nights helping us out. Today you can get wired up at home bring the equipment back the next day for analysis.

They are the "sleep gods".
I pray that they are now finally getting a good nights sleep, ...and hopefully filthy rich.

Yup, and I'd add Dr. Colin Sullivan to the pantheon. He invented the CPAP. The other two gods couldn't have done much treating without his invention of that little glorified leaf blower.