Next level specialist/referral?

[krl]

I have severe sleep apnea not controlled well yet by my CPAP machine my primary care physician is great but do any of you see a different type of doctor that specializes in sleep apnea.

[SewTired]

I have severe sleep apnea not controlled well yet by my CPAP machine my primary care physician is great but do any of you see a different type of doctor that specializes in sleep apnea.

Not familiar with you, but I would suggest first uploading some of your example nights in Sleepyhead and uploading here.

Generally, you would seek a specialist (sleep doctor) or a neurologist (which is overkill unless you've the sleep doctor hasn't helped).

[BlackSpinner]

Usually you are seen by a specialist, Both neurologists and pulmonologists tend to have a specialty in sleep apnea on the side.

[Bill44133]

I have severe sleep apnea not controlled well yet by my CPAP machine my primary care physician is great but do any of you see a different type of doctor that specializes in sleep apnea.

I see a neurologist for my sleep doctor. Lack of Oxygen to the brain... kills brain cells.

[Jay Aitchsee]

You should see a doctor certified in sleep medicine: http://absm.org/
http://www.health.com/health/condition- ... 49,00.html

However, simply being certified will not guarantee that a doctor will have the expertise to help you. As previously noted, most sleep doctors tend to be pulmonologists or neurologists. If you apnea is controlled, you may want to see a neurologist - my opinion, or possibly, a psychologist.

As Sewtired suggested, you might get more help initially by posting some of your results (SleepyHead) here on the forum to gain some insight as to what could be the problem. Gaining some insight (knowledge) could help in choosing a doctor. So far, I have not seen (but, I haven't looked too hard) any posting of charts from you. Most of your postings seem to be about equipment, masks and such, and not the results of applied therapy.

[LSAT]

I have severe sleep apnea not controlled well yet by my CPAP machine my primary care physician is great but do any of you see a different type of doctor that specializes in sleep apnea.

There are people on this board that can help you ,but, you need to show some data from Sleepyhead...What are you waiting for?

[Sylvia54]

I have severe sleep apnea not controlled well yet by my CPAP machine my primary care physician is great but do any of you see a different type of doctor that specializes in sleep apnea.

I went to a sleep clinic where my "certified sleep doctor" is also an internist and sees patients with other medical needs.
I see you live in CA. I did come across a sleep apnea patient (on a different sleep forum) who lives in CA and she had multiple sleep studies on consecutive nights inside
a hospital. You'd probably get more specialized help there. Some clinics offer special additional training called "PapNap". I found that out from somebody else's posting on here. Keep in mind that it's taken many of us several months to maybe even a year or more to see significant improvement from this treatment. Feeling better can be so gradual that you don't notice it much for months. Persistence experimenting with various settings on the machine (gradually) can help. Any little bit of improvement felt is progress. If you are still having trouble getting enough sleep on the machine (that's been one of my problems), maybe a prescription for a low dose sleep aid would help you right now. I've read enough of your posts to know that you've been trying various masks. May I suggest that you choose the most comfortable one (that doesn't leak much) and stick with that same mask for awhile.

[krl]

Hi all. I realize I'm doing a bit of a scatter-spray with my questions. In order to get good advice I'm having to share the whole story and it's been a heck of a ride. I really appreciate hearing that it takes a solid year to really start seeing some changes. July diagnosed with severe OSA. Get CPAP in Aug. Wrestle with masks (ongoing). I'd been suffering from insomnia since Feb of this year (thinking work-stress only), so Dr prescribes sleep meds and I got hooked on them. Now I have 3 monkeys on my back. Just went on FMLA/Disability from work, trying to get off the meds while the CPAP can do it's job to get me healthy again so I can go back to work.

My night right now involves taking melatonin & generic Unisom for stage 1 11pm to 2am - then stage 2 I'm taking Lunesta/Restoril to get me through the rest of the night. Heck of a cocktail party - not good. So I'm trying to use my time off to clear the meds and let the CPAP keep me asleep. That's my current struggle. Currently doing a nasal mask, ruby chin-strap and taping. I want to be able to sleep on my back more so I''ve got the Liberty hi-bred showing up tomorrow. I know I need to better focus my pertinent questions - but did get good advice so far. Now I have to carve out more time to submit some sleepytime charts to learn how to better interpret them. thanks K

[So Well]

I really appreciate hearing that it takes a solid year to really start seeing some changes.

This is NOT true.

[Cardsfan]

Hi- I'm just here to tell you to hang in there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Pre diagnosis, I had insomnia. After getting on my cpap treatment, I can't explain it, but the insomnia is gone. My brain figured out that it is time to sleep when I put the mask on. So stick with it.
I took about 3 months before I started to feel the effects of getting real sleep. After almost 2 years, I'm still feeling improvements.

I did feel some effects almost immediately- like I was finally getting a full nights rest and having dreams for the first time in ages. (I had no problem finding the right mask, and my pressure was correct to control my apnea immediately). So I was sleeping well almost immediately starting cpap. And I did start feeling improvements right away. Like, "Yes, this is going to work" I could tell it immediately.
My sleep Dr. said it takes "6 months for the brain to recover". But I don't think it should take a year before you feel any different.

Post your Sleepyhead info. and see how your treatment is working.

[yaconsult]

Get yourself a hose hanger - it helps tremendously with hose management. If you want to try a cheap one, there is this one that I use: https://www.amazon.com/North-American-H ... B0034CHMRU

Posting some data as described in the top section of the forum will allow people to give specific advice.

[SewTired]

Usually you are seen by a specialist, Both neurologists and pulmonologists tend to have a specialty in sleep apnea on the side.

Perhaps this depends on the state? There are only 3 clinics in my state (Univ. of MN, Noran Neurological and Mayo) who have neurologists trained in sleep apnea and related issues. I bring this up partly to mention that if you have had a serious head injury or brain infection, you might seek out a sleep clinic that does have a neurologist on staff or CONFIRM that they will consult with a neurologist. Don't assume that your clinic has one. Mine did not, but she consulted with my neurologist so I was fine with that.

[BlackSpinner]

I really appreciate hearing that it takes a solid year to really start seeing some changes.

This is NOT true.

It can be for some people.

Also if you don't keep records like a journal you won't see all the subtle changes.

[Hang Fire]

Patients shouldn't be misled into believing it will take a year to see improvements. In the case of the OP, we don't know his leak level or his AHI. He could be getting crummy therapy and see posts here and think, oh, it will take a year before I start to feel better.

[Sylvia54]

Patients shouldn't be misled into believing it will take a year to see improvements. In the case of the OP, we don't know his leak level or his AHI. He could be getting crummy therapy and see posts here and think, oh, it will take a year before I start to feel better.

If the OP is being mislead, well I think it's his own fault. He keeps posting on here week after week, expecting help and people have tried their best to help him.
Here's the problem, for some reason he doesn't want to share any of his stats, even though he's been on cpap for at least 2 mos now.
He's been asked for more information repetitively. And when he makes the statement; "it will take a year.... nobody here has flat out told him that.
I have seen some stories from people who said it took over a year to feel significantly better, so that CAN happen, and it will be worse for somebody who constantly stresses himself.

The OP should have figured out by now that some people take longer than others to recover for many reasons, such as how long they've had untreated sleep apnea. Some are prescribed the wrong pressure after 1 or 2 poor sleep studies. Some have taken longer to recover because of frequently removing the mask in their sleep. Some people sleep without the machine half the time. He needs to start using his own common sense, stop the constant fussing about the masks, do some of his own research (use the search box), choose the most comfortable mask and stop the switching. Don't blame the people who've been trying to help for weeks with very little to go on.