Don't throw stones, I'm just a tech :)

[Guest]

First of all, let me start by saying that I am a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist. There has been MUCH heated discussion arising from both patient view points as well as myself and other fellow techs. This site IS a wonderful tool for both new and veteran CPAP users to help, discuss, and teach other less informed users. I DO believe that this site DOES help greatly with CPAP compliance, and for that, I am thrilled. At times we (the techs) may come across as being somewhat harsh when being approached by a patient who takes advice (i.e. mouth taping and pressure changes without a Dr order). Let me say, this thread is NOT about me trying to lecture ANY of you in the least bit. Understand that coming from a medical viewpoint, we cannot condone any of these actions guys.

I've read multiple threads stating that techs are in it purely for the money. That truly saddens me. Let me inform you -- when I started in sleep, prior to my registry, I was paid $10/hr. Now, this is merely to prove a point. That is not a whopping paycheck, let me tell you!

I came into this field because I wanted to help people. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than seeing one of my patients the morning after CPAP feeling refreshed! That is what we are here for! I understand that many of you have had bad experiences with many people in the medical community, and for that, I am saddened. Please don't lump us all into that group. In an ideal situation, name calling would be totally juvenile. Why are we all stooping to such a level? Let's try to be positive and optimistic about LIFE! I promise you, you will all be much happier.

There have also been comments as to techs not knowing much of anything.... I consider this statement to go hand in hand with the "name calling" that I mentioned earlier. Everyday is a new learning process for us all. Those of us who are RPSGTs have worked extremely hard to get where we are, and to have individuals attempt to belittle that in any way, is uncalled for. Many of us work alongside the M.D.s. We all work together for one goal, to help. I am not in this for the money, and if it ever came down to that, I do believe that I would find myself another occupation. This is a way of life for me. I eat, drink, breathe, and sleep --- the field of Sleep Medicine. I love what I do.

[Bonnie]

If you truly want to help people, please let patients know about this site. A newbie can gain tons of information here and then be able become well informed about OSA and their treatment. That would make ME happy.

[Wulfman]

Welcome to the forum.

Please feel free to register with a user name so we'll know who we're talking to.
There have been (and still are) quite a few of RTs, DMEs, doctors and others from the sleep profession who hang out here. We all try to learn from each other and see the points of view presented from the different sides.

It's (usually) only those who come here with an "attitude" who put us in a verbally defensive posture.

As you've probably been reading, we try to encourage the users to take charge of their own therapy......as much as possible.

Den

[Guest]

There is no *If* about this. I am here to help. No need to question that. Many patients know about this site. At my sleep facility, we keep in close contact with our patients, as do our *good* DME providers that we use. I'm even tossing around the idea to have a pt support group at my lab (on my own free time of course).

[Guest]

Oh, and thank you for the welcome

[Slinky]

Guest, to be frank I don't even remember reading complaints against the RSPGTs. The sleep docs, YES! The DME supplier's RTs, YES! The DME suppliers, YES! But the RPSGTs, not really. I think most of us are aware that not all sleep techs are yet RPSGTs.

Actually, the "professionals" are more than merely welcome here. Except for those that come in w/an "attitude".

I, for one, am truly interested in learning the "other side of the story" and I especially appreciate being able to ask a "professional", whether RT or RPSGT, questions!!! Many of us do.

We don't expect you to condone changing our pressure ourselves nor taping our lips. Both work well for many here. So TRY to look the other way and not get too adamant about our "sins".

So - welcome aboard.

[GumbyCT]

Please don't lump us all into that group. In an ideal situation, name calling would be totally juvenile. Why are we all stooping to such a level? Let's try to be positive and optimistic about LIFE! I promise you, you will all be much happier.

I don't think it is a lump if "I" tell my experience with "My DME" - if you are offended by that you will have to police your own. Just like many other professions already do - lawyers & cops come to mind.

There are millions of stories about both but the don't try to badger the victims, do they?

Why do you RT's think it is up to you to save the world? When we say RT's that doesn't mean sleep techs. I got along really good with my sleep tech but he can't help me now.

In fact, I talked to my sleep tech at the VA for 2.5 hrs at my mask fitting with him - I go to visit whenever we are both there. But he is totally honest and a really straight shooter.

[goose]

Hey Guest......
I generally don't give much credence to guests that do not register as most are "Drive by" and generally have nothing useful to say.

I don't hear that in your posts and I think a lot of us would appreciate it if you would register and become one of our regulars. There are many regulars that are in the medical profession that do help with their opinions and information -- after all, what you get here are opinions.
Wulfman is absolutely on the money when he says it's the ones that show up with an "Attitude" that don't get a real warm welcome. Some "drive by" to stir the pot" and unfortunately some succeed at stirring

Most of us have spent many hours reading, studying and learning about our common affliction and don't need to be belittled by someone who thinks they know it all......

As I'm sure you have learned, there is no way to know it all. I'm happy to hear you've hung out here and have learned from us. We can always use learned teachers......

My original sleep doctor, a neurologist, told me once that, "There are some very smart people on that board. Smarter than me!!!!" That gained a lot of respect in my mind as someone in the profession that admitted to having shortcomings. Unfortunately she left to grow her family and take care of the other small members (her husband was actually the doctor that referred me initially after looking at my charts)......Be that as it may.

Welcome to the forum. Again, please register and become part of the family -- you sound as though you have a lot to offer and have an open mind enough to know you'll learn from us as well......

Take care
cheers
goose

[Southern_Girl]

Please don't lump us all into that group. In an ideal situation, name calling would be totally juvenile. Why are we all stooping to such a level? Let's try to be positive and optimistic about LIFE! I promise you, you will all be much happier.

I don't think it is a lump if "I" tell my experience with "My DME" - if you are offended by that you will have to police your own. Just like many other professions already do - lawyers & cops come to mind.

There are millions of stories about both but the don't try to badger the victims, do they?

Why do you RT's think it is up to you to save the world? When we say RT's that doesn't mean sleep techs. I got along really good with my sleep tech but he can't help me now.

In fact, I talked to my sleep tech at the VA for 2.5 hrs at my mask fitting with him - I go to visit whenever we are both there. But he is totally honest and a really straight shooter.

[GumbyCT]

This is what I was referring to as "lumping."... and I certainly don't think of myself as having a "God complex."

What part was lumped my friend? As I said if "I" tell of an experience and you weren't part of it - WHY would YOU be offended? WHY would YOU feel lumped?

It was my experience to share? I have many yet to tell

[ozij]

Welcome, SouthernGirl.
Glad to see you've registered.

Anyone on this forum is justed by their input.

Personally, I think its a waste of time to sit around discussing whether you - or any other person is a "good guy/gal" or not, and whether and who lumps other poeple.

I'm waiting eagerly to read some of your input on other theads on this forum - those in which people try to understand what their therapy is about, and why it isn't working.


O.

[Captain_Midnight]

New poster Southern Girl writes...I've read multiple threads stating that techs are in it purely for the money. That truly saddens me.


I think that some of this might stem from the fact that the system is not set up for patients to conveniently (and prudently) make modifications to their pressures and pressure ranges in order to optimize their therapy.

Some suspect a profit motive, and although I understand that, I tend to think it's often more in line with worry over law suit exposure.

I also think that patient modifications of therapeutic pressures (using nightly data as feedback and informing doc's of progress at reasonable intervals) is the future of OSA therapy.

Please allow me to join the others in encouraging you to remain here and to give your perspective and those of your associates.

Regards all - - Tom


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[-SWS]

A very nice gesture IMO. Thanks for coming here to "connect" with us, Southern_Girl.

[goose]

Welcome SouthernGirl -- and thanks for registering. I look forward to your posts in other threads as well.....I think you have a lot to offer.




Don't take offense to things that are said -- you do have to have fairly thick skin to hang around here for long. Know that when someone is talking trash about RT's or the like, it's like Gumby said, It's an individual experience with a single entity and has nothing to do with you (or any number of "goodies" out there that hang around here as well).....Blazing generalities are alive and well.....

Again, welcome aboard.
cheers
goose

[Goofproof]

I was a self taught mechanic, all of my working life, I never got bothered by some members of my profession being called out for the jobs they do, and how they do them. Some people are honest and knowledgable, some aren't, that's the facts of life. Now I don't put up with people who bad mouth others, and are lying about the facts, and that happens a lot too. Mainly because the coustomer has no knowledge of how things operate, and what it takes to keep something, in good working order.

Nowdays their are more people holding down jobs, that they aren't qualifyed to have, in all areas of employment. Fewer workers have to "Pay their Dues" now than in the past. In fact most employers prefer worker not to have any knowledge when hired, they want people that will blindly follow their lead. It seem the higher in the Corporate world you rise the less common sense you are required to have. It only takes the sheepskin to be a member of the club.

So it's up to us the consumer to sort out the mess, and be informed on our own, so we can make good judgements on our health and other life matters. The people who don't take that time, have to do with what they can get "Off the Rack", sometimes that's not a pretty sight. Jim