Help, Good questions for new Doctor

[kaiya2465]

Since this is my 1st visit with an actual sleep doctor, what are the 2 most imortant questions that I need to be asking? Any sugggestions would be appreciated. Totally confused.

Thank you in advance.

[DouglasL]

I'm new to this myself but the questions I asked my doctor were:
How well did I respond to xPAP?
Besides xPAP, do I have any surgical or non-invasive options?
What machine type (APAP, CPAP, etc...) is best for me and why?

Just a few to start with, but you need to ask every question that comes into your mind. I went in with a list about 25 long and got them all answered.

Best of luck!

[kaiya2465]

I have been trying to get with the program for a yr now..lol. I found out doing research the doc I had been seeing had no clue on sleep problems but sure played a good game on me. Hence "an actual sleep doctor"

Thank you for the help.

[fuzzy96]

first thing i'd ask is"what kind of care am i going to get with you? am i gunna be a number that provides dollars or can i actually count on you to be my partner in my therapy" put him(her)on the ropes right up front.especially if there is more than one sleep doc in the area. there is no sense wasting time on an arrogant idiot of a doctor. unfortunately a lot of specialists are this way.

[Carl LaFong]

wiki/index.php/Questions_to_Ask_your_Doctor

[kaiya2465]

Thanks for the questions page, very helpful.

[robysue]

Since this is my 1st visit with an actual sleep doctor, what are the 2 most imortant questions that I need to be asking? Any sugggestions would be appreciated. Totally confused.

Thank you in advance.

Kaiya,

Since you say you are totally confused, start with basics:

Make sure that the doc explains all your questions concerning your diagnostic and titration sleep studies. Be sure you understand whether your problem is simple OSA or whether it is UARS or CompSA or Central SA. Also find out if periodic limp movements were a problem at all during your studies.

And make sure you understand the severity of your condition: How many apneas? How many hypopneas? Which scoring criteria were used to score the hypopnea---the AASM recommended standard or the AASM alternative standard? How low did the O2 levels go? How long were the long apneas and long hypopneas? How often did the O2 levels drop below 90% How frequently did the apnaea and hypopneas lead to an arousal? Is your OSA worse on your back? Is it worse in REM?

And then go over any OSA-comorbidity conditions you already suffer from and what ones might run in your family and how CPAP therapy will potentially help or help prevent these comorbidities.

And then talk about the xPAP therapy itself. What's the pressure to be set at? What to do if you can't seem to tolerate the pressure? What to do if it seems like you continue to have events even while on therapy? Be sure to talk about you desire for a full data machine. Insist on a prescription that allows you to chose your mask. And ask about what kind of help the doc's office can provide for addressing ongoing adjustment issue that you are having.

And finally, do NOT let the doc chose the DME for you. Tell the doc you will call his office once you've located a DME that you want to use for your equipment.

[kaiya2465]

Oh my heavens, I feel really lost. The doctor I had told me nothing. What little I do know I learned on here...I honestly have no clue on my apnea or anything that goes with it...

[BlackSpinner]

And write everything down on a piece of paper in point form with spaces. As soon as you get in the office pull it out with a pen. Tick of the points as they are covered and make notes.

Don't forget to ask for a copy of your sleep study and of your prescription (in case of travel you know)

[kaiya2465]

I just talked with my DME, but all he would tell me is that it is Simple OSA...Whatever that actually means.