Great News!

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:47 am

I went to my Primary Care Physician this morning to go over the results of my sleep study.

After he finished explaining the numbers and recommendations to me (he was somewhat surprised by my comments, because I seemed knowledgable about what he was talking about. Thanks everyone!), I ask him for a copy of my sleep study, which he gave me, then I told him I had one more question.

I said that it seemed to me, with the numbers I have showing severe apnea, that he would be interested in me monitoring those numbers, much like my wife monitors her diabetes, so that my visits with him would be more effective as we work on my treatment plan.

He pause for a moment, went "hmmm", then said, "I've never had a patient ask me that before, what do you need?" I explained that my DME gave me a machine that wasn't data capable, but that I wanted one that would enable me to monitor my progress.

His reply, "my only concern is that you don't get too obsessive about this, but if you can guarantee that, then I think it's a good idea." He then told me to do some homework (already done), send him what I want, and that he'll write a new prescription. If the insurance doesn't hassle him, he'll give me whatever I want.

Thanks everyone! Without your help, I wouldn't have known how to approach him with this.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:55 am

Congratulations, JA!!! Sounds like a great doctor! It will probably be the DME who hassles him more than the insurance. Fingers crossed for you!

Goshes, you AND Fredbp have made my day with your good news!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:58 am

j.a., you've got yourself a good doctor.

You did your research and it's paying off. Good job!

Organplayer · Post by **Organplayer** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:00 am

Good for you. Contrary to what people often experience here, there are some docs,DMEs and folks who will support you to make this pap stuff work. I have had good experiences so far (only a month in) and hope to continue the same.

Hope you feel better.

Kevin

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:22 pm

JA.....

Ask for script that will allow you to obtain a Respironics M-Series with Humidifier and AFLEX.

Once you've got that in hand, ask him to help you obtain the Respironics EncorePro 1.8 software that's compatible with the M-Series AFLEX machine. Don't be shy.....ask HIM to obtain it (the software) for you.

You might want to do this in "stages"...first, get the M-Series with AFLEX ....then, a little later, ask him to help you get the software. Don't let him tell you "NO". If he won't obtain the software for you (...and you're willing to pay for it), ask him to help find a place where you CAN buy it.

Be like a very nice RELENTLESS PITT BULL....keep chewing until you win.

Gerald

echo · Post by **echo** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:53 pm

That's FANTASTIC news!
And good job on doing your homework

I especially like your doctor's reaction...

j.a.taylor wrote:His reply, "my only concern is that you don't get too obsessive about this, but if you can guarantee that, then I think it's a good idea."

Like, what's he worried about, that you're gonna nag him to death every day with all your printouts??

Have fun !

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:22 pm

Congrats are definitely in order! Enjoy your new machne, whichever one you get. (I'd ask for an APAP. You can always run it in straignt CPAP and have other options as well!) IF you're going to stay with the s8 series, ask for a Vantage. If you just want a plain straignt CPAP with data capability, ask for the Elite.

DeltaSeeker · Post by **DeltaSeeker** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:34 pm

WTG JA!!! Great job. As for being too obsessive, well, we all get that way in the beginning (at least I know *I* did ) but once we get the hang of it and get in a groove, we settle down. And, I can't see it as a bad thing to be obsessed about it - after all, it is our health. Your line about diabetes was great and appropriate. Unfortunately I just recently had to go back to monitoring my blood sugars as well and trying to work on diet and exercise to keep them in line.

Don't know what machine you've chosen, but I do like my M-Series Cflex APAP. I would also choose an APAP just because if your data doesn't look good you can make adjustments (with the help of your doc) to figure out the best setting(s) for you.

Although with all the software wars out there it might be better to get the one that uses the Silver Lining software which is still readily available. Both Resmed and Respironics have made it difficult if not impossible to get your hands on the software. A good "weapon" to ask your doc for the software is so that you won't have to bother him all the time to read your data card You can do the "daily" monitoring and then when you visit him go over the long term trends. He probably doesn't have the software/readers anyway.

Best of luck and keep up the good work!

Linda

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:04 pm

Wise chess you played, J.A. You cornered the doctor, but left him smiling. Plus you got a positive response, and hopefully will get the type of machine you wanted, with software(?). I'm hoping that it works in your favor all the way.

Maybe I should stop taking the cattle prod to appointments with doctors.

Mask

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