Questions about CPAP treatment/care/Dr. visits

[parsnip]

I was diagnosed with SA in spring of 2011 after an at home sleep study prescribed and administered by my family doctor. He also is the one who prescribed my CPAP machine and settings (pressure 10 - 14). I worked with Apria for a time to get equipment and masks figured out and after some time started ordering equipment and supplies myself from CPAP.com and others. Aside from casual mention in Dr. visits unrelated to SA, I have not really spoken to any medical professional about my Apnea or data for over 2 years. No one has ever looked at the data from my machine except me.

That said, I seem to tolerate treatment well and the AHI numbers have been consistently under 1.0 the whole time I have been using the machine.

My question is: should I have more interaction with my doctor or any doctor than what I have experienced? Obviously, since I am asking the question, I think that I ought to be but, I am looking for second opinions. If so, what should I be looking for? Should I be trying to find a sleep specialist or should my family doctor be sufficient? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jnk]

Medically speaking (although I am not a medical professional of any sort myself), my understanding is that if a person has been diagnosed with a condition and prescribed a treatment for it that all indications are is working, there may be little need to pursue the matter further medically. However, if symptoms persist or there are other problems with the treatment, further medical investigation may be warranted.

[Julie]

I was diagnosed and titrated after a home study (following a fair disaster of one in the lab), and that was almost 10 yrs ago... and I haven't talked to a doctor about any of it since then. My GP knows I'm on Cpap, but that's about all, and writes the odd script if I need one (just puts down what I tell him to ), and I'm doing just fine as things go. I've been lucky in apparently having a very uncomplicated time with it all, but if things are going well there, do you think you need to see someone about them?

[Hawthorne]

I was diagnosed in 2002 and, after a follow up with the sleep specialist, I was on my own. I had a straight cpap then but bought my own auto online about 2007. In 2008 I went back to the sleep specialist because I wanted a backup machine (other than my old straight cpap). In Ontario Canada, where I live there is an Assistive Devices Program, which is SUPPOSED to give some financial assistance in getting a new machine in 5 years time. I had used that program in 2002 to get my original machine.

I went through another sleep study. I don't do well in sleep studies and didn't want to but wanted a backup machine that was at least data capable. Turned out that my AHI during the sleep study was 4.2. I had been getting under 2 with my self purchased auto.

In Ontario you also need a recent prescription to get a new cpap machine with or without the assistance. Machines are much more expensive in Ontario than online so there was no point in getting one here without the financial assistance.

My sleep specialist said I would get a new prescription, if and or when my old machine was broken beyond repair no matter how long that took!

I have bought a couple more machines online on my own since then.

I am the only one who ever sees my data now and I am doing fine. My AHI is still almost always under 2.

That's my experience. I doubt I will ever have another sleep study.

[DreamDiver]

Parsnip, if your AHI is consistently below 1, your apnea durations aren't usually very long (over 20 seconds, say?), and you're feeling good, I wonder if there is any reason why you would need to contact a sleep doctor again until you need a new prescription or start feeling crummier. All I can say is, "Good for you!"

[parsnip]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I should let sleeping dogs lie (bad joke intended). I was just concerned I might be putting my treatment at risk. Sounds like I am good to go. Thanks.