How Funny, My DME can't do enough to help

[SaltLakeJan]

me since the sleep doc called them on the carpet. This is the young sleep doc who was responsive to learning about sleep apnea mask innovations, etc. During my appointment, he asked if the DME was doing all they could to get my supplies and help with my needs. . I understand this doc is a rarity, and I'll probably never find another that interested.

But what I want to know, do other doctors and nurses monitor the DME's? My, what a difference his call made. In the last 3 days, I've had four calls from people at the DME, offering a variety of (useless) suggestions.

After the 'Big Cheese" offered to get me a mask ahead of schedule, (which I accepted) he casually asked what I told the Doc about them. I told him that I told the doc, they were not responsive, wouldn't let me try masks unless I guaranteed I going to buy them, same for chin straps. And that they didn't return calls. I innocently mentioned that the doc said unless they cleaned up their act, he wouldn't be sending his patients to them again. I also included that, I got the impression from the Dr. that other patients had complained about that DME.

Is this the way to turn a DME into one of the "Good Ones'?

I can't quit laughing at the hypocrisy of this DME's feigned interest.

[DyannaK]

Good for you and your Doc I have no idea if my Sleep Dr monitors the DME I use or not. I have actually never met my Sleep Dr. As far as I know all he did was read my report from the sleep lab and fill out the prescription... If I have a problem with anything I just go see my family Dr She is a tiger and no one messes with her LOL

[Babette]

This is EXACTLY the process to use.

I complained about my DME to my doc, and since she is the head of the sleep lab, in makes the decision about which DME is the "preferred provider" to send her patients to, it made a big difference.

Of course, I would have to check that with newer patients than I, and see if the sleep lab is still sending patients there....

But she was fully supportive of me going online to buy my machine, mask, supplies, etc. and happily wrote me the script I asked for.

You DO have a good doc. Do something nice in return and write a nice note about him and send it to his superiors.

Glad it's looking up for you!!!!!
B.

[rested gal]

After the 'Big Cheese" offered to get me a mask ahead of schedule, (which I accepted) he casually asked what I told the Doc about them.

---

I innocently mentioned that the doc said unless they cleaned up their act, he wouldn't be sending his patients to them again. I also included that, I got the impression from the Dr. that other patients had complained about that DME.

Good going, Jan!

You really do have a jewel of a doctor. I think Barbara had a great suggestion...

You DO have a good doc. Do something nice in return and write a nice note about him and send it to his superiors.

I like what you said about your family doc, Dyanna!

If I have a problem with anything I just go see my family Dr She is a tiger and no one messes with her LOL

[SaltLakeJan]

said

If I have a problem with anything I just go see my family Dr She is a tiger and no one messes with her LOL

If it works, that sounds like a solution. I will have to whip up a little energy in my personal doctor, he doesn't seem to have that "Tiger" response. I'll have to ask his nurse how to get his support.

The members on this forum have so many good ideas, it spreads to the rest of us.

Jan

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi Babette,

Of course you know what to do to get a satisfactory solution. I've read lots of your posts, you always have the right answer or a zinger if needed.

The Dr is in a heart and lung clinic with 3 other doctors. I'm not sure if they are the owners. How would you go about finding out. 'Til I find out - would a thank you to him for his consideration and help, be appropiate. Have you ever sent a thank you to a doctor? I've thanked them when I've been there, and they have mostly had an "an shucks" attitude. I used to have a good internist and I'd take his favorite Marie Callender pie to his office occasionally. Rhubarb, can you imagine?

Jan

[kteague]

I did send a thank-you note to a doctor once - a neurologist. I'd had the runaround for so long I was so grateful I just had to tell him. I'm not good with sentimental stuff and I needed time to process it, so a note was best. Have written to two other doctors in the past, but it certainly wasn't to say thanks. I feel like if I can take time to complain, I should take time to compliment. On that note, I owe my sleep doctor a note.

[SaltLakeJan]

Hello R.G.

I want you to know I am tickled red, white and blue when I get a response from you to one of my posts.

Howeve-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-, the "Sealed with a kiss" reply kept me awake till 2:30 a.m. trying to come-up with the reply I wanted - It was right there on the tip of my tongue, (supposedly) The one I wanted just wouldn't jell. But it was surely a fun post to participate in. Thanks to Ozji for beginning it.

Jan

[Babette]

Hi Babette,

Of course you know what to do to get a satisfactory solution. I've read lots of your posts, you always have the right answer or a zinger if needed.

The Dr is in a heart and lung clinic with 3 other doctors. I'm not sure if they are the owners. How would you go about finding out. 'Til I find out - would a thank you to him for his consideration and help, be appropiate. Have you ever sent a thank you to a doctor? I've thanked them when I've been there, and they have mostly had an "an shucks" attitude. I used to have a good internist and I'd take his favorite Marie Callender pie to his office occasionally. Rhubarb, can you imagine?

Jan

Now now... Everything I know I learned from this forum.

I HAVE sent thank you notes to doctors before. In fact, when my PCP was retiring, I sent her a thank you note and a bottle of champagne, and she sent me a thank you note back for my thank you note!!!

I would address it to the "Director" and then the office address, with a CC to the doctor himself.

Cheers,
B.

[SaltLakeJan]

[. KTeague wrote

wrHave itten to two other doctors in the past, but it certainly wasn't to say thanks. I feel like if I can take time to complain, I should take time to compliment.

On that note, I owe my sleep doctor a note
Hey KTeague,
After reading your post, I recalled a really bad experiences with a podiatrist. He operated on a bone spur & during fiddled with his hair and adjusted his chair, during the surgery, etc breaking the sanitary condition. - I got a pseudomonas infection, that led to osteomyletis, I was out of work for six months. When I recovered, I didn't want to hear his name, or anything abut him. It was malpractice, I didn't sue because I wanted to get on with my life. (another of my interesting life experiences) That was about 15 years ago. I did get on with my life, in the process let go of my dislike of him personally and professionally - I forgave him -

I have two questions, I didn't see him again, and I didn't tell him I had forgiven him, so does that count.? And I guess if I wrote him a letter now describing how I felt about him 15 years ago and thought he was a so@#*^$@ then, but magnanimous person that I am, I forgave him? hmmm, think I better forget about the letter.
Anyone else write a forgiveness letter to a doc? How did it work out?
Jan

[SaltLakeJan]

Before the doc called the DME, I didn't get help or answers, but it changed with the doctor's call. I had another call from the the DME late this afternoon. My husand took the message. The DME is inviting a small group of patients down tomorrow for a lite lunch, a gift basket, and a tour of their facilities. The caller told told, the gift baskets would be appropiate & helpful for apnea patients.

Oh darn, the "get together" is at 12:30, I'm pretty sure, I'm going to be busy.

Maybe I shouldn't be too hasty, the doctor told me he is considering changing me to Bi-pap. I looked them up, and I go by Slinky's information when I find it. She likes ResMed Products. He will evaluate me after the 30 day oximeter.

[Debjax]

I found out a bit more about my DME today....

She was supposed to come by our office on Monday to bump hubby's pressure to 12, but did not make it due to a family emergency...she called today, to discuss the masks, my new nebulizer and hubby's pressure, trying to hook up a time, since we don't work on Friday's and we are a good ways away from their office. Told her I was primarly interested in getting hubby's masks to try out...."and ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies...but after I woke up to find him choking on Tuesday morning....and that he was complaining that 12 was blowing his mask off." Keep in mind, SHE did not increase that pressure....

There was dead silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, then a fairly quiet "you didn't decrease it back down did you?"...I told her no, since she said the doctor prescribed 12, it would stay at 12 unil the doctor said otherwise...She relaxed at that point and we discussed hubby's next trial masks that I'm going to pick up tomorrow on the way to my MSLT, and how I have turned into a CPAP zealot...she laughed when I said that and said "I think it's great that you guys take control of your medical care like that and stay so informed.".....


I am counting my blessings.

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi Debjax:

To awaken to your husband choking must have been a frightening experience? Your DME apparently thinks you are pretty cool. I have been wondering something about you and your husband. Did one of you "catch" sleep apnea from the other. I am really surprised that both of you are being treated. I find my equipment takes a lot of room in our bedroom, how do you handle all of it and be a working woman? I've read many of your posts and have learned from them.

Jan