Have yet to see a sleep doctor

Lucid · Post by **Lucid** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:18 pm

My saga started when I mentioned to my primary care physician that my wife thinks I stop breathing sometimes at night due to snoring, but isn't too sure since we sleep in separate beds due to the noise (she is a light sleeper).

I was sent to a sleep lab. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (AHI = 45).

The sleep lab scheduling department set me up for a second night of titration. My pressure is 12 apparently.

The lab sent the script to my primary for authorization afterwhich a DME provider came to my house with my new rented machine and mask. That was this past Friday.

So I have been on CPAP for 4 days.

But I have yet to see a "sleep" doctor.

Is this normal?

Also, my machine is data capable (listed below). Is it worth it to get the card reader and software to monitor my progress (especially since I don't have a doctor checking up on me)?

And how do I go about getting my pressure changed if I find I am not getting the relief I need?

Thanks

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:34 pm

Lucid, in answer to your questions, click on the yellow light bulb above/our collective wisdom, and read the articles on CPAP Machines, Checking Your Machine Settings, and Changing Your Machine Settings. Also use the good, specific information you will get from other posters. Welcome to CPAP World!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:40 pm

Too bad but it can be, sounds like they smelled the $$$. Renting is a sure way of paying more than it's worth. Get you prescription, buy online unless ins is involved, if ins is, still check which is a better deal.

The software and reader are important if you want the best results. Jim

MRH · Post by **MRH** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:45 pm

Lucid,

Sounds like me to a T!! I got to go to the sleep study after my PCP sent me. Did it all in one night a split study, with a ahi 0f 53. I have yet to hear from the Sleep Doc and he was listed as being paid on insurance, that was right at a year ago!! I got the card reader and software, and through help from all the great people on this forum, and some adjusting, things are working fairly well now. I had my lowest night yet last night, a 0.7 ahi

Mark

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:09 pm

Lucid,

I've heard various stories on this subject from never having seen the doctor to being given an appointment at the time of the sleep study.

When I when for my tiration, I was told by the tech I would be contacted by them when it was time for the followup appointment. When I picked up my CPAP I recieved papers stating that if I did not keep my followup appointment, I would be responsible for the cost of the CPAP

One month after I got my CPAP I got a letter in the mail stateing I had an appointment with the RT. A week later I recieved a call from the RT who stated they had an appointment available with the doctor a couple days after the one that was scheduled with her, so if the one with the doctoer worked for me, she would cancelled hers. she had only made that one because she didn't think they could get me into the doctor that soon.

I suspect that because the insurance is managed by the hospital, the only reason I got the appointment is because they threated not to pay the doctor if he didn't do the followup.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:10 pm

Sadly, it is allowed that the patient NEVER see the sleep doctor who reads the scored report, dictates his interpretation and recommendations, sends that to the referring doctor and is available for consultation ONLY w/the referring doctor.

Our local hospital after years of having a sleep neuro and 3 sleep pulmos one of whom would see each patient BEFORE a sleep study was scheduled, again AFTER the sleep evaluation and again after the titration if one was indicated has upgraded their very nice, comfortable sleep lab and let the four doctors go and now have one sleep pulmo who performs as above. Talk about a step BACKWARD in patient care!!! This hospital's priorities seem all skewered w/facility and equipment given a higher priority than the hands on patient care. Reduce staff, add "things" and buildings. Reduce wages for the patient care-givers and increase salary and benefits for those at the top who provide no direct patient care.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:39 am

Never have seen and never will. The sleep doc is in another state and everything is done via internet. Doesn't seem right at all to me. I am lucky in having a wonderful primary doc though.

sleeplessinaz · Post by **sleeplessinaz** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:40 am

Sleep Doctor? what is that? I have never seen one!! LOL! My saga started when I took my husband with me on my appt and he mentioned to my primary care physician that he was sure that I stop breathing sometimes at night due to snoring, and moving around trying to breath, and making wierd noises etc.

I then was sent to a sleep lab. I was diagnosed with Mild Obstructive sleep apnea. The sleep lab scheduling department set me up for a second night of titration. My pressure is 7 apparently.

The lab sent the script to my primary for authorization afterwhich a DME provider came to my house with my new rented machine and mask. I think that is pretty much how most of us got started. If you are on a computer --then take charge of your own heathcare--no one else will!!!
Good Luck!!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:29 pm

You've got Resmed software for a Resmed S8 Escape? Or you've switched to a Resmed S8 Elite? Your sig says the Escape.

sleeplessinaz · Post by **sleeplessinaz** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:36 pm

Hi Slinky, I only have the Escape--no software with it so I need to remove that from my signature--I made that when I was a NEWBIE and did not know anything. well, compared to you guys---I still do not know much--but more than I did!! LOL!! I am getting an Elite soon---I had to contact my new DME to get me one --finally going to get it soon --so they say. Can't wait to get it so I can monitor my own health. The Escape is nice ---but tells me nothing about my leak rates or if I am still having sleep apneas or not. It is a great machine for traveling and as a back up--so I wil be keeping it handy!!

Carrie

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:42 pm

You can't tell the Escape from the Elite or vice versa to look at them. Unless, of course, you read the writing on the top. aYou will like the Elite. I sure liked mine!

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:03 pm

December 14, 2006 had my sleep study. I have never talked to the sleep doc. I called and tried to make an appointment and was told to see my PCP they had sent him all the information. He all but did not know how to read it but did give me a copy. Comming here I was thought how to read it my self.

Jerry

trice54 · Post by **trice54** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:36 pm

I was referred by my PCP to the sleep center, which is run by a sleep doc. When the sleep center called to schedule my study, they also set up a followup appt with the sleep dr. After going thru my results and the treatment options, I went back another time with questions before starting on CPAP. I had the titration a month after getting the cpap and then another follow up with the sleep dr. I am scheduled to go back again in a couple of weeks to see how things are going (cause I needed to switch to a FFM and also started on sleep meds.) The sleep dr sends reports to my PCP. I am already scheduled for a sleep study in a year and the followup for that.
I guess it all depends on what resources are available in each persons' community and different ins. situations..??
Trice

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: new Airsense auto set 12/08/14. Cpap pressure is

Have yet to see a sleep doctor

Have yet to see a sleep doctor

how to change machine settings