First follow up with Sleep Doc..

[Triadz]

Been on the hose since March 1st and had my first follow up Friday. They said bring your data card. When I got there the receptionist took my SD card and uploaded it into her PC. It was a long wait so I figured the Dr. must be analyzing the 45 days worth of data. Finally I see him. He looks uninterested and distant. " How's it going?" he asks. I see on his clipboard he has my updated Epworth scale and medications list. That's all..no Encore or any data printout. I asked if he'd read my card. He didn't. So I said, " If you had looked at my numbers you would see that I struggled just a little at first but then got the AHI's under control. I'm averaging .67. " He made some comment about me being a model patient and I told him that I have an online support group that helped me with all my issues and that I feel very lucky to have this kind of success early on. He perked up and asked about the group. He made me say it twice and he wrote it down. I'm sure he perked up because he knows I am not going to be a high maintenance patient for him.
I had him refill my emergency inhaler then I asked him for a copy of my prescription. After a brief back and forth he agreed and I had it in my hand within 3 minutes. I was planning on firing him if I didn't get it so I guess I'll keep him. I have him trained now.
This is my sleep study results:


Sorry for the poor image. Im having issues trying to screen shot on my PC running xp so these are cell phone screen shots.

Here is my overall stats as of the 14th:


So thanks everyone for being here. I really do feel lucky so far. It's been a huge quality of life upgrade.

***forgot to add that I told him I had software for my machine and was tracking my daily results. He gave me a huge smile

[Sheriff Buford]

Triadz: My primary care physician ordered my sleep study and writes my prescriptions. He has no clue about apnea. He has referred some strugglin' patients to me and sometimes he asks about the equipment masks, machines, DME's). If I had serious sleep issues, I would ask for a sleep doctor. My question to you is why do you want to go back to him? None of my business, but what is he providing you?

Sheriff

[Kate M]

Sorry for the poor image. Im having issues trying to screen shot on my PC running xp so these are cell phone screen shots.

Congrats on your results and success with your Doc!

Try downloading this freeware program for screenshots. It is simple, reliable, free and works great with XP! It's called Cropper

http://cropper.codeplex.com/

[Triadz]

Triadz: My primary care physician ordered my sleep study and writes my prescriptions. He has no clue about apnea. He has referred some strugglin' patients to me and sometimes he asks about the equipment masks, machines, DME's). If I had serious sleep issues, I would ask for a sleep doctor. My question to you is why do you want to go back to him? None of my business, but what is he providing you?

Sheriff

Hi Sherriff,
As dumb as this might sound he gives me what I ask for and doesn't try to bully me. He is also my pulminologist. I don't know how we would do if I really had a problem because I have presented him none. My insurance is dropping his group in July so I'll need to find a new one anyway. I was mostly worried he was going to fight me about the prescription because of stories I'd read here but he seems easy to work with so far and that is appealing

[ekubaskie]

My DME gave me a copy of my prescription with my machine. They said that sometimes TSA asks for it if you are traveling with the gear.

When asking your doc for a copy, that might give an attitude-proof reason to need it - legal issues aside it's best if you can keep both sides smiling.

[Triadz]

Sorry for the poor image. Im having issues trying to screen shot on my PC running xp so these are cell phone screen shots.

Congrats on your results and success with your Doc!

Try downloading this freeware program for screenshots. It is simple, reliable, free and works great with XP! It's called Cropper

http://cropper.codeplex.com/

Thank you Kate. Works well. Problem solved

[Pugsy]

I see on his clipboard he has my updated Epworth scale and medications list. That's all..no Encore or any data printout.

This is often the only basis that doctors bother to look at as to how effective therapy is "how you feel"...works great if you feel great. Not so great if you don't because often the Epworth scale may not be all that exciting and we still aren't sleeping so great.
They look at the Epworth scale...it looks maybe a little improved...they say "give it time".
If it isn't improved...you still get "give it time".
Never mind that you might be having massive leaks that no amount of time will fix or sub optimal sleep hours or whatever.
Most of the time the standard response...."give it more time".

[49er]

I see on his clipboard he has my updated Epworth scale and medications list. That's all..no Encore or any data printout.

This is often the only basis that doctors bother to look at as to how effective therapy is "how you feel"...works great if you feel great. Not so great if you don't because often the Epworth scale may not be all that exciting and we still aren't sleeping so great.
They look at the Epworth scale...it looks maybe a little improved...they say "give it time".
If it isn't improved...you still get "give it time".
Never mind that you might be having massive leaks that no amount of time will fix or sub optimal sleep hours or whatever.
Most of the time the standard response...."give it more time".

In my opinion, the Epworth scale doesn't begin to give an accurate picture of your sleeping issues. This one is much better.

http://www.sleep-pros.net/fosq_test.htm

49er