Do you have a regular Dr and a sleep Dr?

KenH · Post by **KenH** » Thu May 09, 2013 7:28 pm

My regular Dr ordered my sleep study and wrote the Rx. Should I see a Sleep Dr?

jdm2857 · Post by **jdm2857** » Thu May 09, 2013 7:36 pm

Do you need a sleep doc?

It depends. You should get a sleep doc if you start therapy and have difficulties that your primary can't or
won't handle. You should also probably get a sleep doc if your sleep study indicated you have more a complicated
condition that simple OSA.

But if you have simple OSA, your therapy goes well, you feel good, and your data indicates that things are good, you should be
fine without one.

Edited to add:
I have a primary doc and a sleep doc. That's because when I brought up the possibility of OSA, my primary scribbled a referral
and changed the subject.

traveling Utz · Post by **traveling Utz** » Thu May 09, 2013 7:40 pm

I fought with the CPAP for 9 months.. It has been determined I have central Apnea and I met with a Sleep Doctor/Neurologist today.. She is working on a plan for me.. Another sleep study in store.. Was very refreshing appointment..

avi123 · Post by **avi123** » Thu May 09, 2013 7:59 pm

KenH wrote:My regular Dr ordered my sleep study and wrote the Rx. Should I see a Sleep Dr?

To become an MD in sleep medicine a doc needs to take courses and pass special exams in it. So why shall I not benefit from such a doc?

big_dave · Post by **big_dave** » Thu May 09, 2013 7:59 pm

At this time I have only a sleep doctor since my former regular doctor is a quack and I do not plan to go back to him. I was struggling to stay awake at work a year ago when I asked for a referral for a sleep study. My regular doctor seemed unaccustomed to working with sleep apnea patients, and his medical group did not have a working relationship with any sleep center. Trying to get a referral from him was a frustrating experience. When my sleep doctor read my questionnaire, he said I had a 100% chance of being diagnosed with sleep apnea. I think I will avoid all doctors from the same medical group as my former regular doctor.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Thu May 09, 2013 8:12 pm

There are very few actual "sleep doctors". Many doctors have sleep as a part of their normal specialty. There are many people on this board that know more than many of the 'so called' sleep specialists.

KenH · Post by **KenH** » Thu May 09, 2013 9:08 pm

Big-Dave. That is bad about your reg Dr. I had one nearly that bad. I switched to a young Dr that is Great! His nurse worked for me many years ago so that helps too. He would try to talk me into a sleep study and I would refuse. Last week I was there and told him I was sorry for being stupid. Only thing i don't like is that he is a Army Dr that runs 500 miles a day and thinks you should skinny like him.

SleepyonMagnoliaSt · Post by **SleepyonMagnoliaSt** » Thu May 09, 2013 9:11 pm

My regular doctor referred me to a sleep study. However I have an appointment with a sleep specialist on the 31st and hope to have sleep study results to present with him.

mgaggie · Post by **mgaggie** » Thu May 09, 2013 9:15 pm

I was referred by my GP to a sleep study clinic. When I contacted the clinic, they informed me that I would need to be assessed and then put on a waiting list for the actual study. Only problem was I'd have to wait 6months for the assessment. Thankfully one of their respiratory specialist's sees patients privately, so he is my 'sleep doctor'.

IMO run of the mill GP's don't know enough about sleep apnea. They know about it and who to refer their patients too but that's about it.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Fri May 10, 2013 1:48 am

Surely you jest?

I have a list of doctors;
-1- Fam Doc takes care of my basic needs & referrals
-2- Endo for my diabetes & general endo issues
-3- Cardiologist for my heart valve issues (rheumatic fever damage)
-4- Neurologist for my MS (great Uof M doc who also runs MS clinic at VA)
-5- ophthalmologist general vision
-6- neuro-ophthalmologist for MS related vision issues
-7- Podiatrist (hoof / foot) doc,
-8- urologist
-9- A GP currently watching kidney issue/s. (Loooong story, replaced my last useless nephrologist/ kidney specialist)

I think I am forgetting someone??? but I have no shortage of doctors due multiple problems.

OOPS yep I forgot, I do have a sleep doctor & respiratory therapist
I knew I missed at least one, to leave out my SLEEP Dr. on a sleep apnea board????????

If you got this far thru my list w/o falling asleep, you are more alert than I am.

caffeinatedcfo · Post by **caffeinatedcfo** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:46 am

Everyone's case is different. I have both.

I would agree with avi on this one though - at least in the diagnosis stage. I would want to know that a competent, properly credentialed and experienced doctor interpreted my sleep study data. From there your specific case / diagnosis should dictate the specialist(s) you engage in your treatment plan.

Tino2You · Post by **Tino2You** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:52 am

I was referred to the sleep clinic by an ENT. Went to see him about my hearing (well lack of). My wife hijacked my appointment by telling him "Oh and he has Sleep Apnea ("She who must be obeyed" is a nurse). Next thing I knew he was pushing a goober (highly technical term for a fiber optic device as big as the Alaska Pipeline) down my nostril so he can watch my "throat collapse" on itself. And off to the races we went. Sleep study (split study, 94AHI), many interactions with Insurance Company (Cigna), Insurance Company Gatekeeper (CareCentrix) and DME (Apria). Once all that was done, I had my machine, talked to the ENT one more time and have been seeing my GP ever since. He is really great about looking at my graphs (I give him my SleepyHead ones) noting my AHIs and usage. Asks me if I need anything and generally is very supportive.
-tino

dllynam · Post by **dllynam** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:11 pm

My primary care didn't/wouldn't do a sleep study but he referred me originally (7 years ago) to a pulmonologist that did sleep studies/cpap referrals, I have since changed (about 3 years ago) to a ENT that has a sleep center and worked with me a bit better, by my experience, having a sleep doctor is a big plus, they are able to converse intelligently about machines, results and alterations that cannot be done from a one night sleep study

Denial Dave · Post by **Denial Dave** » Fri May 10, 2013 6:51 pm

I'm with Avi

I barely trust my GP to decipher thecholestoral readings from a blood test.. there is no way, I'd trust him to give guidance on sleep therapy.

avi123 wrote:
KenH wrote:My regular Dr ordered my sleep study and wrote the Rx. Should I see a Sleep Dr?
To become an MD in sleep medicine a doc needs to take courses and pass special exams in it. So why shall I not benefit from such a doc?

ChrisD · Post by **ChrisD** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:32 pm

I have a primary doc and a sleep doc. When I brought up the possibility of OSA, my primary gave me a referral to a sleep doc that his nurse used to work for.

Chris

Do you have a regular Dr and a sleep Dr?

Do you have a sleep Dr and reg Dr?

Do you have a regular Dr and a sleep Dr?

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