Anyone in Tampa, FL area?

[julee88]

I'm looking for a new doctor in the Tampa, FL area. Does anyone have a good doctor they can recommend for second opinion? I was diagnosed with mild OSA in January this year. I am 31, but I believe I have always had OSA, at least since I was 12-13 years old. I got a cpap in February and I tried using it with both nasal masks and full-face masks. The problem I have is that the cpap wakes me up almost every 30 minutes while I'm using it. I am able to fall asleep quickly, but then I wake up 30 minutes later. I fall asleep again, and wake up soon after. This cycle repeats itself until I've woken up about 5 times and then I take off the mask. I then go right back to sleep and sleep until my alarm goes off in the morning.

At my most recent visit to the doctor, he told me to stop using the cpap and that I need to lose weight, and then my OSA will go away. I completely disagree with him and I think that is a ridiculous diagnosis! Considering I have had OSA since I was a child, and I never been very overweight in my life. I am 5'4" and I weigh 150 pounds. I realize that I am a little overweight, but I am nowhere near obese. Plus, I was hoping the doctor would do something to help me use the cpap successfully because losing weight takes time and it is not easy. Has anyone else had a similar diagnosis?

[LSAT]

First...Fill in your machine/mask/humidifier date in the profile area. I don't think changing doctors will help. You will most likely get more help (or should) from your DME. The problem with the mask will just require you to try several....the DME should help with that. The problem with waking you up may be a machine noise problem...again, the DME may replace the CPAP with a different brand.

[thewetlizard]

I live a couple counties north of you in Hernando County . Sorry,I still can't help. Because I'm a veteran I got my cpap from James Haley Hospital (V.A. Hospital)

[Patth9]

I thought that using the CPAP would help a person lose weight. That with more rest and less stress, one would have more energy and thus burn some of that sleepy stored fat. Of course, one must also do the usual, eat better and move more. Why would you stop the treatment, lose weight, then what, start your treatment again?

Patt

[Jane1966]

Hello,

I live in St. Pete. If your OSA is mild, did the doctor recommend anything else other than weight loss since he told you to stop using the CPAP? Like lifting the head of your bed? The OSA needs to be treated now regardless of your weight. I go to Dr. Agrawal in St. Pete. I don't know if you would come to St. Pete for treatment, but it's really fairly close. The doctor recommended that I lose weight but that I use the CPAP at the same time. If you are having apneas, you need some kind of treatment.

[GumbyCT]

I think it is normal to have difficulty trying to sleep with plastic on your face - it just doesn't feel natural, Yet. The key is to keep trying and keep using.

I think it took me about 1 month before I could wear the mask thru the nite. If I had to take it off, I made a note in my sleep journal- what went wrong and what went right. Then I tried again the next nite. Then I learned that I had to have my machine at full pressure when I tightened the straps to prevent leaks from waking me up.

Now I won't sleep without the mask - it doesn't feel natural.

[OceanGoingGal]

I am from Lakeland. I went to Bay Area Sleep Diagnostic Ctr -1323 W Fletcher Ave Tampa, FL 33612. I have always been happy with them and they are always ready whenI have any problems. My Dr at the time made the appointment for me. They have sleep labs in different areas and were able to do my sleep study right in Lakeland. I hope this helps.

Laura

[citrusguy]

Find Dr Peter Fort in Brandon. He moved within the past year from Bradenton. Excellent Dr. I was sad he moved his practice.

Good Sleep,
John Champlain