Do You Go To Your Sleep Doctor If You Are Doing Well

[49er]

Yeah, if you want to screw things up.

Just kidding, I'm a little cynical about the sleep industry lately. I guess it depends on your sleep doctor.

That has never happened to me.

49er

[49er]

Yes I go. I think its important to keep communicating so if there is a future problem, my doc will be up to speed.

If you blow off a regular follow-up, how enthusiastic will he be in the future if you need him?

That is a great point JDS74.

Initially, I was going to say I wouldn't go unless there was a problem but I think you have changed my mind.

49er

[hueyville]

My belief now is to do the annual visit. Keeps doc familiar me and I feel more likely to work me in if I have a problem. While in I ask them to run my insurance benefits and see what I might be entitled to. A month or so ago I asked and a week later a new hose, mask, 6 hepafilters, 6 prefilters and a new resivoir for dehumidifier showed up in mail. Just left sleep study and have another in 4 weeks. Found out can get 5 studies per year and since been having some trouble going to get as many in as possible.before.years end as I qualify for a new machine and want to be sure to get best for current needs. All tbe doctor visits and studies cost me is time as have to keep health insurance. Found out qualify for new machine every 3 years unless doctor says have to switch technology due to change in apnea status. We did a titration last night using machine with back up setting. Next month ASV. He wants to tweak me and get new machine before endof year. Once I meet next years deductible we will do it again. I am a special case.the way my apnea changes due to past head injury. If it is covered, I would go in.

[SleepyBobR]

My doctor changed my appointments to a bi-annual schedule after my last visit. There aren't many sleep doctors up here and it's hard to get an appointment so I'm sure he doesn't want to waste his time and mine when new patients need sleep studies and prescriptions. I will attend the next appointment but nothing much really happens at these follow-up appointments. He isn't interested in any reports or data from my machine and has never given me any advice. Just a brief physical exam and a few questions about how things are going and that's about it. It's five years between new machines up here so I really don't need to see him for another year or so.

[herefishy]

I haven't been to mine in 8 years - don't like him and don't need him.

[Stormynights]

I have only seen a sleep doctor once. I didn't expect much at all but she was great. I brought my machine and she checked my machine and data. She has been using a cpap machine herself since 1996. I asked her why I needed to come back to see her and she said she checked my machine pressure and data for any problems. I was impressed. If anyone needs a sleep doctor in Oklahoma I would recommend her.

[Catnapper]

I started CPAP over 7 years ago with the usual early visits. Eventually I went back to see if there was something to be done about insomnia and that resulted in another sleep study. Now, Medicare requires a yearly visit to authorize supplies. I like the doctor, so I will go even though I am doing fine and have been for years.

Catnapper - Joanie

[nanwilson]

No!!!! Don't ever go, I am my own advocate for my own health. Any problems I have had have been resolved by the wonderful friends on this forum.

[BlackSpinner]

After the second appointment after titration when I discussed my AHI, changing the settings myself and getting supplies online he told me as long as I kept my AHI under 5 I didn't need to come back. He considered me educated enough and responsible enough to manage my own therapy. He grumbled about people not wanting to do that.

[bwexler]

First, how do you know if you are doing well?
Been on APAP for 3 years, still tired most days.
Never saw a sleep doc when I started. A friend of mine, a doctor also on CPAP, wrote my prescription and sent me to his DME. I got my stuff and have not been back to see my friend in his office since.
About a year and a half later I saw my first sleep doc. Nice fellow, twice as helpful as the wall in his office. Didn't do much beyond a compliance check and didn't say much.
Last week I saw a new sleep doc. What a difference he took about an hour and a half. went over my Sleepyhead reports, and answered my questions. He explained apnea, pointed out that I might have complex apnea based on my sleepyhead reports, and I would need a new titration study in a lab, scheduled for last night. If he is correct I will need to change my APAP machine for an ASV machine. Sure glad I brought my Sleepyhead reports since he only printed compliance reports.

So it is realy hard to say if it is important to see your doctor. If he is a quick and simple compliance checker, don't bother unless your insurance requires

[chunkyfrog]

Since my sleep doc seems to be interested in data, I'm thinking of putting together an informational outline,
with data samples, etc., and inviting him to bring in an observer of his choice next appointment.
No reason not to use my appointment for the greater good.

[Rob108]

I've been to my sleep doc /dme /rt once since I started cpap. It was for my first 90day compliance check. My ahi went from 108.5 to 1.7 and I was 100% compliant. My next appointment was scheduled out 1 year. I guess I can move it up if I need to.

[Papit]

Since my sleep doc seems to be interested in data, I'm thinking of putting together an informational outline,
with data samples, etc., and inviting him to bring in an observer of his choice next appointment.
No reason not to use my appointment for the greater good.

I see the value in that idea. Let me know if your doc agrees and how you persuaded him. Thanks.

[StuUnderPressure]

I go to my Sleep Doctor ONLY when "I" need something like a prescription for a new machine.

They always tell me, "it has been X since we last saw you".
I reply "Yep, that sounds about right" & then move on to the reason I am there at the moment.

I have had them have to go get my file out of storage once, but they never have refused to continue to serve my needs (as "I" see them).

Now that Medicare pays 80% & my secondary pays the other 20%, I would pay NOTHING even if I kept every appointment they make.

But even FREE is not worth the time I waste nor the aggravation.
So, I just DON'T go.

[LaurieP]

I went to the first follow up and the next yearly but she said I don't have to come back for at least two years. I have done great with the help of this board so no need. My Mom on the other hand needs to go yearly because of her health problems and Medicare compliance requirements.