Doctor Refuses to see me.

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:46 pm

I have been on my CPAP now since October. Three weeks ago I had my third follow up appointment. The doctor adjusted the pressure again to 12.5. My AHI's were getting better. My lowest was a 1.29 and the highest was 6. something. Within the last week and a half the AHI's have jumped and the v snore's are showing at about 189 a night. Highest AHI was a 27 and lowest was around a 5. The others ranged between 7 and 15. I called the doctor. At first the receptionist said he had just seen me and wouldn't see me for a year. I talked to the nurse. Her first question was "how do you know what your AHI's are?" She also said the doctor had just seen me and would not see me for a year. She would talk to him and call me back. Four hours later she called back and said that the doctor said that it was most likely an equipment malfunction and would see me in a year. Wondering what I should do now. It really bothers me because last time we talked he said if I needed anything give a call. He also said he likes an involved informed patient. I'm getting the feeling that this is not true. I have never had any doctor do this. Any suggestions? Anyone else ever run into any of this?

MaxDarkside · Post by **MaxDarkside** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:49 pm

Odd. Maybe it has to do with what insurance is willing to pay for doctor visits, or maybe the doctor thinks he's done his part? If it is an equipment malfunction, maybe you could take the machine to where you got it and have them check it out.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:51 pm

Do you have software?
Why don't you post the graphs here so people could help you understand what is happening.

greatunclebill · Post by **greatunclebill** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:58 pm

inportsmouthva wrote:I have been on my CPAP now since October. Three weeks ago I had my third follow up appointment. The doctor adjusted the pressure again to 12.5. My AHI's were getting better. My lowest was a 1.29 and the highest was 6. something. Within the last week and a half the AHI's have jumped and the v snore's are showing at about 189 a night. Highest AHI was a 27 and lowest was around a 5. The others ranged between 7 and 15. I called the doctor. At first the receptionist said he had just seen me and wouldn't see me for a year. I talked to the nurse. Her first question was "how do you know what your AHI's are?" She also said the doctor had just seen me and would not see me for a year. She would talk to him and call me back. Four hours later she called back and said that the doctor said that it was most likely an equipment malfunction and would see me in a year. Wondering what I should do now. It really bothers me because last time we talked he said if I needed anything give a call. He also said he likes an involved informed patient. I'm getting the feeling that this is not true. I have never had any doctor do this. Any suggestions? Anyone else ever run into any of this?

make an appointment with your primary care physician asking him to call the sleep doc and see what the problem is. if he gives the primary doc the same line, switch docs.

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:59 pm

How do I post screen shots
I am trying but can't seem to

greatunclebill · Post by **greatunclebill** » Wed May 23, 2012 6:26 pm

inportsmouthva wrote:How do I post screen shots
I am trying but can't seem to

upload to someplace like photobucket and post the links here.

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 6:31 pm

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 6:54 pm

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:14 pm

You should learn to make your own adjustments. You don't need your doctor. Set your unit to 'auto' with pressure setting at 10 min and 20 maximum. Let the unit determine your pressure.

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:24 pm

Always difficult to comment data from others especially if Pugsy is not around

Indeed you seem to have a hard time for the last 2 to 3 weeks. Besides the changes made by the doctor, any other explanation?
It also seems that you also had some issues in Jan - Feb. Do you remember why?
And that you did very well in March / April. Same questions....
If the settings of the machine were not changed before your recent visit, it must be you. Did you change your mask or the way you wear it?

I think the best person to find the answer is you

avi123 · Post by **avi123** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:37 pm

inports...., the data is clear but i don't see a Leak graph. I guess that the leaks are hi b/c you're using that Swift FX pillows mask. yes, you're correct that you're loaded with events. I would try to change the mask to a nasal one similar to my, and see if it cuts down your leaks and events. In my case, using my APAP with the pressure that i was prescribed by the sleep study and using my mask with a chinstrap i get fantastic results. No leaks and no events.

My Sleep Doc would not look at my data from my home APAP saying that he believes only in data from sleep studies in sleep clinics. he also said that i could look for another Doc if i am not happy with him. frankly, i could see any Sleep Doc just by calling and making an appointment. if they ask who referred me i then give the name of my internist MD (i got two of them). i think that if i'll need a sleep Doc in the near future i'll contact the poster john fisher's Doc.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:41 pm

Can't see leak line...I assume that it is okay.

Your machine pressure settings are 11 to 12.5...is that correct? Why such a tiny range? Any particular reason? Aerophagia or whatever? The machine is maxing out the pressure for the bulk of the night. It wants to fight off those events but its hands are tied. See that level line at 12.5? For some reason your pressure needs seem to have increased. Anything different happened lately. Sleep in a different position? Meds?

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:55 pm

user from Singapore wrote:Always difficult to comment data from others especially if Pugsy is not around

Indeed you seem to have a hard time for the last 2 to 3 weeks. Besides the changes made by the doctor, any other explanation?
It also seems that you also had some issues in Jan - Feb. Do you remember why?
And that you did very well in March / April. Same questions....
If the settings of the machine were not changed before your recent visit, it must be you. Did you change your mask or the way you wear it?

I think the best person to find the answer is you

In January and Feb they were trying a full face mask that didn't work out. The Quattro
Not aware of any real changes.
Also had oral surgery in Feb. (Gingival Grafting)

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed May 23, 2012 8:19 pm

I might go back and give the FF mask a better try... if not the same one, then others... because that's usually my first guess as to what the problem could be when you don't get better (and raising the pressure if that's what's wrong just makes it worse).

inportsmouthva · Post by **inportsmouthva** » Wed May 23, 2012 8:23 pm

Here are the leak graphs
I did both versions or updates of sleepyhead since newer is not showing all leaks

Thanks everyone for your help
No changes in the last few weeks in meds etc...

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