How did you go about selecting a sleep doctor??

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:07 am

In addition to OAS I also am having another sleeping problem. The sleep doctor prescribed Ambien CR. Went in last Fri. to pick up my monthly refills from the drug store and they said that they had to contact the doctor. Finally on Tuesday they refilled it and said that the doctor would only give me 1 month and I would have to schedule an appointment with him before I can get refills.

This morning I called to reschedule and was told that they have nothing open in Oct and Nov appointment book is not available yet and would I call back.
My internist office has me scheduled for July 2008. This situation with the sleep doctor has me pi$$3d off and I am considering finding a new sleep doctor. I have a feeling that this guy is about to retire.
Just to test this doctor out I carried in an old card for them to download the last two visits. No one has ever called me to tell me that the card doesn't have current info, nor has the doctor mentioned it.
I know the accrediation to look for in a sleep doctor but I am looking for more than that. We have several sleep doctors and 2 major sleep clinics in the area.
Where can I find papers that have been written by specific doctore on OAS?
What do you look for and how do you go about finding the information that you need in order to find a sleep doctor?

tillymarigold · Post by **tillymarigold** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:13 am

I went with my PCP's recommendation, she said that her experience was that patients mostly were happy with either Dr. Smith or Dr. Jones and she respected their work.

I've been fairly happy with Dr. Smith, he's a bit of a jerk sometimes, but very understanding of my insurance woes and very encouraging of my fiddling with my settings to find the one that feels the best.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:16 am

I don't have a sleep doctor. I was scheduled at a sleep lab by my regular doc and the only other person involved was the faceless doc that charged me $$$$ to "read my results" and write a useless report.

Other than that I am on my own with the help of my regular doc which is great by me.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:17 am

tillymarigold wrote:I went with my PCP's recommendation, she said that her experience was that patients mostly were happy with either Dr. Smith or Dr. Jones and she respected their work.

I've been fairly happy with Dr. Smith, he's a bit of a jerk sometimes, but very understanding of my insurance woes and very encouraging of my fiddling with my settings to find the one that feels the best.

When I started going to this doctor I needed a referral and this is the one my internist reccomended. I no longer need referrals and told the internist that I am not comfortable with the pulmonary doctor. His response was "if you are ever uncomfortable with a doctor, you should find a new one".

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:19 am

first one I threw a dart at the absm.org list and insurance coverage. I then used my GP doctor. Haven't used either one for sleep issues in a couple years.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:33 am

So your Internist is your primary medical care giver? You can't schedule a visit sooner that July 08?

Okay, you have two major sleep clinics in the area. Call both of them and ask if there is a local apnea support group. Word of mouth talking to patients at the support group(s) should help you find a good sleep doctor. If there is one in your area.

Does he order fully data capable xPAPs for his patients?
Does he explain the sleep evaluation results w/his patients and the need for the titration study?
If he doesn't does he see to it that an NP or PA or RT on staff sits w/the patient and explains the results and indicated needs?
Or does he send the results to the referring doctor or your PCP?
What is his first specialty? Pulmonology? Neurology? Other?
Is he at the sleep clinic full time or only occasionally?
How long has he been specializing in sleep medicine?
How long has he been w/this sleep clinic?
What is the time span between sleep evaluation and receiving the results?
What is the time span between titration and receiving the results?
Will you be given a copy of the summary data reports, including graphs (about 5-6 pages) as well as a copy of the dictated results report (about 1-2 pages)?
Are his patients given the opportunity to discuss their desires on equipment before it is ordered?
How strong is his interest in sleep disorders other than just OSA?
Will he or the sleep lab give you a copy of your equipment order (script) so that you can shop the local DME suppliers your insurance is contracted w/yourself?

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:16 pm

First one... GP sent me for a sleep study... never met the doc that read the study... just paid him $$$

Second one... did the insurance doc list xref'd with the absm.org. Found one that I liked... and so far I've kept him.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:56 pm

After a Quad By-Pass, that took 20 minutes to tube me in the O.R.. My medical team ordered their partner to set me up with O2, and the test after a short recovery period. At rest my O2 was under 88, walking it went to 90. I was give a Remstar Pro2 set as 14 CM, with 2L of O2, the first few nights I wondered when my lungs were going to pop out, they must have used the good staples, because they stayed in, and no Ramp..... Just hold your chest and start it up... Jim

As House says, VICODIN is your friend.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:46 pm

My GP referred me to a pulmonary doc in their group because he suspected sleep apnea plus I had other lung issues, having been on and off inhalers for reactive airways after a toxic formaldehyde exposure many years prior. Sleep study came back showing PLMD, no apnea (as did 2 more over few years) although still symptomatic for OSA. Only saw sleep doc the morning after one study to review the night and once in a followup appt.

Was seeing neurologist for bulging cervical disks and other neuro symptoms, so he took over my PLMD management since the medication I was taking for it was a Parkinson's med.

Fast forward a few years - GP suggests another sleep study for sleep apnea, chose a sleep clinic and doc based on location convenience. This sleep doc actually was the treating doc for my OSA and had multiple followups yet I continued to decline. Major blow-up when I learned enough to be discontent with the treatment I was receiving.

In the meantime, same neuro doc referred me to an affiliated movement disorder doc for evaluation, who referred me to affiliated sleep doc, who has been attentive and concerned and is working with me to fully address my multiple sleep issues. I feel I have a team of doctors who want me to succeed.

It's been a circuitous route, partly due to PLMD obscuring my apnea for so long. Ironically, I'm back with the original pulmonologist for treatment of recent lung problems. There are any number of docs who can follow one with OSA. To me the key is they are knowledgeable and want you to succeed and don't toss you to the wolves after diagnosis and equipment setup. (Which should be any and every doctor.)

Without personal referrals it can be hard to know up front. If a trusted GP backs you when referring you, it can be helpful. Something about peer accountability.

Asking questions as you have and becoming informed gives you an edge over some of us who just kinda blew with the wind. Surprisingly, in that whole laundry list, I really took issue with only one doctor. I'd say that makes the odds of finding a doctor who cares pretty good.

Kathy

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:04 pm

snoregirl wrote:I don't have a sleep doctor. I was scheduled at a sleep lab by my regular doc and the only other person involved was the faceless doc that charged me $$$$ to "read my results" and write a useless report.

Other than that I am on my own with the help of my regular doc which is great by me.

This has been my experience.

I was sent for a sleep test after I told my Primary Care Doctor, who is the first Doctor I've had in several years that I really like and respect, that I thought I had sleep apnea.

My "sleep doctor" is just a name on the statement showing that they paid her for her "service."

My only interaction was with the sleep tech that placed everything on me before quickly disappearing, and the sleep tech that pulled everything off before doing the same.

My only information prior to the sleep test was an ill-prepared pamphlet on sleep apnea, and an outdated 15-minute video that I was told to watch.

Everything else I know was learned on this forum.

Daddysaur · Post by **Daddysaur** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:21 pm

My experience matches Snoregirl's. The sleepdoc is just a signature on the form. No followup calls or compliance checks, "here is the mask, here is the machine, good luck"
Everything seems to be working, so I appreciate the lack of pestering from the medical community but if issues occur in the future, I will be starting from zero for doctor support.

How did you go about selecting a sleep doctor??

How did you go about selecting a sleep doctor??

Picking Sleep Dr