sleep doc stupidity

kenrose · Post by **kenrose** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:48 am

Hi All,
In the past I have written about my sleep doc being "quite possibly retarded" etc. Well, it is now past the humorous stage. There is a level of stupidity and arrogance that seems to be pervasive in sleep docs that is bordering on malpractice. The idiot just refused to give me an RX for an auto on the grounds that I was doing fine with straight cpap. Since he has no idea of how difficult compliance is for me or for any of us how could he possibly know I am fine. How could he know anything? I explained that living alone and having days when I feel OK and days when I am exhausted leads me to believe that knowledge of what is going on is vital got nowhere. I am furious and will have to make an appt with a new doc, get my study sent over there and start all over again. He didn't even offer a quasi scientific rationale such as the logarithms.. blah blah. At least my DME is just completely about the $ and didn't even include a travel bag with my machine.
Sorry about the rant Good Luck to everyone.
Ken

th · Post by th » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:04 am

Kenrose, I heard the same thing you just did from my sleep doctor."you are doing so well with straight CPAP why switch" My wife's sleep doctor told her an "auto-pap does not work the technology
is just not there, one day it might be but for now how all we can do is hope and pray one day it might"......... THAT will make you sick to your stomach

I really wish cpaptalk would start a list of good doctors bad doctors so you could find one in your area

th

morphy · Post by **morphy** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:25 am

If someone wanting a recommendation for a good "sleep doc" would post his/her general location, perhaps that would encourage others in his/her area to make rec's (even by PM).
Someone did it for me and I will be forever grateful. And now I drive over 40 miles one-way to see that doc.

th · Post by th » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:50 am

well someone just ask me this question on TAS for Charlotte, NC

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... 8ab046b328

I have not been to see this doctor. But I called his office and talked with his RT and she informed me that the doctor loves auto-paps or whatever helps his patients the most. He does have an office also in Charlotte.......It takes about 3 weeks to get an appointment. My mother-in-law has her appointment sept 13. I will let you know how it went. Please keeps us posted.

CAROLINA RESPIRATORY SPECIALISTS and found a doctor who will work with her a William Charles Sherrill Jr, MD ph# 704 948 9624. Huntersville, NC.

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... ght=#79057

th · Post by th » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:19 pm

Why don't you request that all of your records be transferred to your primary doctor. Tell him you are no longer going back. Go to your primary doctor and tell him you that you have sleep apnea and he (PD) has your sleep study. Ask him to fax a prescription to cpap.com. Order what you want. The auto is worth it. You sleep a 1/3 of your life you have better be happy with it...I wish you luck. Let us know how you do
th

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:22 pm

Actually, you don't have to lie. The LAW says you are entitled to copies of all your medical records ON DEMAND. (mine give me copies of everything in a folder since my last visit). This is your RIGHT, not something he may or may not do. He HAS to give you your records and right then, not weeks from then.

And you might want to do a search on CPAP versus APAP on the forum and looks for some posts with links to well-researched studies on the advantages of APAP over CPAP, copy them off and throw them on the doctor's desk as you leave.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:40 pm

Why not just visit your family doc and ask him for a Rx . Then order from cpap.com. No rocket science here. I got the Rx for my first cpap from my GP . Without going into great detail explain that you have OSA and need to replace your cpap . Could you write an Rx for me. You may be able to do this without a visit. Just a phone call . The less said the better.

Learn something from electricity .......Take the path of least resistance.

:twis ted:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:42 pm

Could you write an Rx for me.
You may be able to do this without a visit.
Just a phone call .

Funny thing. That's how I did it.

A good old family doc with common sense
wrote my Rx when I asked him to.

No sleep study.

No doctor's visit.

No exam.

Just a 5 minute phone call to a family doc
who trusted my judgment about what I
wanted to try.