Need some advice

[syd beal]

I was diagnosed with sleep apeana in Nov 2010. AHI at 50 per hour. I got a Resmed S9 and have since added the heated tubing. The Dr. I saw in Toronto, Ontario, CANADA asked me to bring in my machine and often my wife accompanied me. He tracked the readings from the SD card on his PC. Thanks to this board, I also track my readings with the Resmed software. Everything was going good, AHI dropped to average of 2 - 15 per night depending on my allergies with a pressure setting of 8. My wife and I moved from Toronto to Sudbury to retire. I have found another Dr. here to check in for my CPAP readings. I frequent a local store called Medigas who supply all my CPAP replacement parts and have also downloaded my SD card onto software in their store. They suggested based on my readings to drop the pressure of 9 down to 8 as per the readings indicated that I was getting a better sleep when I first started using the CPAP. Medigas suggested that I stop using the ramp up and go directly to 8 without the ramp up. This also showed an improvement of my readings. I have since changed the pressure back to the 9 as set by the Dr. in Toronto, and sleep longer and better.

The advice I need is that the Dr. here in Sudbury does not have the software to read the SD card readings, which is a concern for me. He has told me to get the SD card read at the Medigas Store and if there is a problem that the staff will let him know. I have visited him twice since moving here, and each time he justs asks me questions that he feels are important NOT based on the SD Card readings. I have a medical problem of which I take a prescription drug, which this Dr. told me to stop taking. I have ignored that advice as my family Dr. advised against it.
I feel that I am being cheated in that he submits an expense to the government for his services that he doesn't provide. The software is capable of printing off reports, and on the first visit I asked if he wanted to see it and he said no. Since he has never charted my readings, how is he able to properly treat me. Today, June 7/12, I was in and out of his office within 5 minutes. My next appointment with him is in 1 year.

So, first question, Should I look for another specialist in my area or is his method of treating me okay?

Should I report him to the government body for wrongful billing of his so called treatment method without data readings? As a taxpayer in our health care system this really angers me.

I am 60 years old, retired, I average 8 - 10 hours sleep per night, and I wake up feeling refreshed every morning. My wife is happy that I don't snore anymore and she gets a decent night's sleep.

I could really use some advice from this board. Oh, I asked the Dr. this morning if he wanted to put the SD card into his PC that sits on his desk to take my card readings, and he answered, and I quote, " I am computer illiterate and don't use any software for my practice, I rely on Medigas to tell me if any of my patients are having problems" Un-quote.

Are any of you as bothered with this as I am? Thanks in advance for any opinions.

[nanwilson]

Why bother to go to see him....you can find another specialist in Sudbury I'm sure. Or you can do as I do, I quit going to the doctor after the first visit, I monitor my own therapy. In my humble opinion.. this guy is more interested in the cash he gets from OHIP than helping you.

[Janknitz]

I wouldn't have much confidence in a doctor who relies on a DME to tell him whether or not you are having a problem. Last time I looked, DME techs didn't go to medical school.

[Maxie]

I'm in the U.S. I got billed for an office visit and I didn't see the doctor and the RT looked at the printout I sent him from data I downloaded using the ResMed software. Your doctor seems a lot like mine. I asked on the forum if I should continue to visit this office and most agreed that there was no need as I have no other medical issues in his area of specialty. I think your situation is similar.

[Soreheed]

I am in BC and have similar experience with the GP and sleep clinics. They don't talk to each other. You feel as if you are on your own. Well, lets face it we are.
But back to your question. Have you downloaded Sleepyhead. Its a free software which will read your S9 card and you wont have to rely on Medigas or whoever.
Its easy to use and you can print out your results and take them to the doc.

[archangle]

Unfortunately, the standard of care for CPAP followup is abysmal. After the initial sleep test, "good therapy" tends to be defined as "the patient uses the machine for 4 hours or more per night."

Even if they do read the card data themselves or through the DME, many of them only check for the 4 hours required for insurance.

Some doctors are good. Many don't know any better.