update--appointment with sleep doc went better than expected

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:46 pm

hi all

i had my checkup with my sleep doc yesterday, and it went pretty well...

my ferritin level has risen from a dismal 6 to 50, which is great and should help with iron absorption, but unfortunately, my RLS and PLMD symptoms rage on if i don't take the meds, so the hope that low iron was causing these conditions is gone ...he thought i might be able to get off the meds if the low iron was the culprit, but no, gotta stay on the meds (but i get to give up the ferritin supplements, so that might help with digestive issues)

i have to admit, i was nervous about telling him that since i got my new machine and software, i had increased my pressure (carefully and slowly) from 6 to 8.5...but when i told him he just said, 'why so high?'...i laughed and told him i know many people who have much higher pressures than 8.5 to deal with! i showed him the reports and at first he said, 'well, those aren't totally accurate, you know' and i said, 'i realize it's not the same as a psg done in your lab, but aren't these the same reports my RT at medigas would send you if she read my smartcard?' he agreed...i said, 'and wouldn't you make adjustments based on those reports, and tell my RT to adjust my machine accordingly?' he said, "well...yes" so i said, "well, here are the reports, and the adjustments are already made!" he said, "does that pressure bother you?" and i told him "not at all" so he shrugged and made a note on my chart to reflect the new pressure...WHEW!! i honestly thought he'd blow a gasket and fire me, which wouldn't be so good since he's the only sleep specialist in my city...

so...i go back to sleep at the lab at the end of january because that'll be a year since i started cpap and he wants to do a follow up psg since i'm still feeling fairly crappy, and he wants to see what's going on with my limb movement disorder as well
that's it...all in all a pretty good appointment!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:02 pm

Glad to hear that, Sharon.

One thought on your "still feeling fairly crappy" issue. It hasn't been that long since you bumped your pressure up......so, maybe a little more time will help, now that your therapy is doing better.

Best wishes,

Den

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:07 pm

Sharon, I'm glad he went along with it ok. It's also good to have the correct pressure in your records. Mine is not the correct pressure. I'm going to need to get it rectified.

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:23 pm

hi den
i definitely think you are right about giving it more time, but i was pleased that he wanted to do another study, since i don't know what's really going on with the plmd and all the spontaneous arousals i clocked the last time...but my numbers are looking pretty good at 8.5 so i can be reasonably sure that the apneas are under control...as always, thanks for all your input

rosemary
i hear ya about wanting accurate info in your records...i did toy with the idea of not telling him, but had decided beforehand that it was counter productive not to...then when he checked his notes and said, "your pressure is 6, right?", i just couldn't bring myself to be evasive! i'm a good girl at heart, i guess

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:05 pm

Sharon,

Isn't it good to have a good working relationship with your doc!?

That's discouraging about increasing your ferritin level didn't help your movements. I'll be getting my repeat ferritin level next week.

Hope you get the legs settled down and get some good sleep and feel the results.

Kathy

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:14 am

I would also increase your magnesium with a supplement.

allergyridden · Post by **allergyridden** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:30 am

It must be nice to have a sleep Doctor, instead of just a name on a test report.
I had a lot of spontaneous arousals too. I gave up caffeine, which I drank a lot of to keep me awake, and my allergy pills with a decongestant. (except chocolate, in moderation) I don't know if it's helping, I haven't had a sleep test since, but it can't hurt, & I am feeling better.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:04 am

sharon1965 wrote:i showed him the reports and at first he said, 'well, those aren't totally accurate, you know' and i said, 'i realize it's not the same as a psg done in your lab, but aren't these the same reports my RT at medigas would send you if she read my smartcard?' he agreed...i said, 'and wouldn't you make adjustments based on those reports, and tell my RT to adjust my machine accordingly?' he said, "well...yes" so i said, "well, here are the reports, and the adjustments are already made!" he said, "does that pressure bother you?" and i told him "not at all" so he shrugged and made a note on my chart to reflect the new pressure.

Love the way you told your story, Sharon!

Sounds like you have a sensible doctor! A keeper -- who was willing to keep you despite your lab-rattish tendencies. LOL!

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:30 pm

snoredog said:

I would also increase your magnesium with a supplement

dammit, snoredog, you're always right i know i'm supposed to take this, and i was taking a calcium/magnesium combo for ages, then i ran out and keep forgetting to get more...thanks for the reminder

restedgal said:

Sounds like you have a sensible doctor! A keeper -- who was willing to keep you despite your lab-rattish tendencies. LOL!

yeah, tendencies that i developed since i started hanging out with this iniquitous bunch, by the way

update--appointment with sleep doc went better than expected

update--appointment with sleep doc went better than expected

Visit with doctor

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