Do you use a sleep specialist for CPAP or other doc?

MrGrumpy · Post by **MrGrumpy** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:07 pm

I was prescribed CPAP by a pulmonary doctor who does sleep studies on the side. He's an OK doctor, I thank him for putting me on CPAP as I have gotten somewhat better. However, he has not done much followup on me...just twice in almost a year since being put on CPAP. And when I have had the followups, I get the impression sleep medicine is not his main priority...his main priority is pulmonary medicine...COPD, asthma...lung stuff. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I have been wondering if I might do better with a doc who does NOTHING but sleep medicine?

There are some docs in town who are board certified sleep doctors...thats all they do. Others arent board certified, but have good credentials and again, thats all they do...sleep medicine. Nothing else. Not pulmonary med, not Neurology, not psychiatry, not Internal medicine. Just sleep medicine.

What are your thoughts on using a doctor who just does sleep medicine and nothing else? To me it makes sense if you are serious about kicking OSA in the butt.

What are the best sleep medicine credentials to look for? Board certified in sleep medicine? Fellowships in sleep medicine? Experience? Good listener?

Eric

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:21 pm

Other people will tell you which of the options would be best, but one thing I'd like to suggest you look out for (don't know if there's much choice though) is that sleep docs so often have a financial stake in your treatment (they either try to sell you equipment outright - which you can refuse I suppose, and buy your own providing your insce. co. is ok with it - or steer you to the companies who suppy equipment (not the online ones though) and get kickbacks from them. Not a great situation, though they may still be 'good' OSA doctors.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:32 pm

I started with mine after a by-pass, due to low O2.

He does Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. I believe he owns part of the sleep lab.

I see him every 3 months, (got to make that car payment) I told him I have the software,(he doesn't) and that I have taken control of my treatment, he doesn't have a problem with that, and goes along with what I want to do. I can show him the results, but he no longer asks because he knows I have my apnea under control. He has me do lung functions tests and x-rays at six months, (more car payments) We get along well. Jim

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:34 am

I see mine when I need it... was doing the 3 month thing, but things have been going fairly well so they're going to just call me in another 3 months.

I see a pulmy that is board certified in sleep medicine, so yes he does treat lung stuff as well, but that's ok because I have asthma and they can understand that part as well.

He runs a sleep lab, but doesn't sell machines/equipment... gives you a list of 5-6 places or lets you take the prescription yourself.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:45 am

Never saw a sleep doc, never will. Had first sleep study and got diagnosis from MD. Got second(titration) and was told I needed a pressure of 7. Came here, found I need a pressure of 9.5. I've been coming here ever since, learning everyday. I see no need for a sleep doc.

Brenda

Marie · Post by **Marie** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:48 am

Hi, all, I have never seen a sleep specialist, he did read the report from the sleep lab, and I suppose since I never really ever had problems(aren't I lucky?) I have not had the need to see one.

I get calls from the respiratory therapists, I think now, just once a year.
I don't think that this doc, who is a pulmonary Dr., has any stake in selling equipment.

Most of the questions I have needed answered, though few, have been answered by this forum.

Marie

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:40 am

Never saw a sleep doctor, though one supposedly analyzed my report. His office called and told me where to get my equipment. No contact since and none planned.

trice54 · Post by **trice54** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:46 pm

My primary MD referred me to a sleep lab that is run by a sleep specialist. Their normal plan seems to be the sleep study, appt to review results (and prescribe treatment), overnite titration a month after beginning CPAP, appt to review that, and then schedule another sleep study in a year.
After my first review appt, I asked for a couple of weeks to think it (CPAP) over and wanted to come back and go over questions, etc. before I committed to the CPAP. They were very willing to do so. Then after my titration study when I went for the results, we had a lot of discussion about some problems I was having, and made some changes ( sleep med. and change of mask) and he wants me back in a month to see how it is going.

Trice

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:57 pm

My primary care doc referred me for a sleep study. Saw him one time, for a consult for the study. Then, just saw the RT whose DME company the doc office made an appointment for me to see. That was it. Over a year later, found this forum and finally got useful information to tweak my therapy and get real results. Don't plan on seeing a sleep doc in the near future.

katusha · Post by **katusha** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:48 pm

I have only seen my sleep specialist. I can speak with him on the phone directly when I have any issues. I get one sleep study a year.

MrGrumpy · Post by **MrGrumpy** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:54 pm

Hmmmmmm so maybe doctors who all they do is sleep medicine are only needed if you have, say perhaps a complex situation? Say central apneas or mixed apnea? Or OSA with some sort of nocturnal movement disorder like RLS or PLMD?

I guess what Im saying is I wonder if the sleep specialists are more thorough than docs who do sleep medicine "on the side?" I know mine does sleep medicine on the side, his practice is multifaceted and sleep is only a percentage of it.

Eric

MrGrumpy · Post by **MrGrumpy** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:56 pm

Julie wrote:Other people will tell you which of the options would be best, but one thing I'd like to suggest you look out for (don't know if there's much choice though) is that sleep docs so often have a financial stake in your treatment (they either try to sell you equipment outright - which you can refuse I suppose, and buy your own providing your insce. co. is ok with it - or steer you to the companies who suppy equipment (not the online ones though) and get kickbacks from them. Not a great situation, though they may still be 'good' OSA doctors.

Ive wondered about this. As after I got diagnosed, titrated given my CPAP gear, it was almost like "bye!" Not that dramatic, but bordering on it. I didnt think that was cool.

Eric

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:05 pm

MrGrumpy wrote:Hmmmmmm so maybe doctors who all they do is sleep medicine are only needed if you have, say perhaps a complex situation? Say central apneas or mixed apnea? Or OSA with some sort of nocturnal movement disorder like RLS or PLMD?

I guess what Im saying is I wonder if the sleep specialists are more thorough than docs who do sleep medicine "on the side?" I know mine does sleep medicine on the side, his practice is multifaceted and sleep is only a percentage of it.

Eric

I think the best thing is to get informed and take control of your health, if you are able. Very few Doctors have the time to take a interest in your treatment, sad but true, you have to take the time yourself or suffer the system. jim

Do you use a sleep specialist for CPAP or other doc?

Do you use a sleep specialist for CPAP or other doc?

I see a Sleep Specialist