Frequency of sleep dr visits

[LTen]

Hi, I've used the Resmed s9 with swift fx nasal pillows for 3 weeks and it's working pretty well. I wonder how often most people see their sleep doc once they seem stable with the system they are on?

[Bill44133]

My Neurologist(sleep Dr.) told me to come back in 6 months. Prior to that I had 2 sleep studies and 2 months of data after the sleep study.

[LSAT]

I saw my sleep doctor when I started CPAP and then 90 days later to make sure everything was working. I have not seen him since.....It has been 5+ years.
I discuss "sleep" with my PC doctor at my annual physical. I guess it depends whether you have problems or not...I don't believe in going to the doctor just to say hello and tell him everything is fine.

[SleepyBobR]

I had annual appointments for the first 4 years then stopped. The meetings were a mutual waste of time as there was really nothing to talk about. Any attempts to discuss machine reports or mask issues were referred to my pretty much useless DME. I've had two sleep docs and both were the same. Neither of them knew very much about the hands-on aspects of our therapy, and actually discouraged self-management, claiming that machine data is not meaningful or reliable. Both expected me to have their recommendations effected through the DME (completely impractical). I think my doctors were pretty typical so I have no idea how people with complex conditions requiring complicated bi-pap and ASV machines ever get their therapy optimized other than through access to sites like this one. I don't think my doctor would know how to turn one on and it just makes me laugh trying to imagine getting any meaningful assistance with an ASV machine from the folks at my DME. Hilarious. I think the folks that really have a feel for it are the sleep techs who get real time experience with their patients and the prescribed equipment but you never get to talk to them other than when they're wiring you up.

[surf_rower]

I had annual appointments for the first 4 years then stopped. The meetings were a mutual waste of time as there was really nothing to talk about. Any attempts to discuss machine reports or mask issues were referred to my pretty much useless DME. I've had two sleep docs and both were the same. Neither of them knew very much about the hands-on aspects of our therapy, and actually discouraged self-management, claiming that machine data is not meaningful or reliable. Both expected me to have their recommendations effected through the DME (completely impractical). I think my doctors were pretty typical so I have no idea how people with complex conditions requiring complicated bi-pap and ASV machines ever get their therapy optimized other than through access to sites like this one. I don't think my doctor would know how to turn one on and it just makes me laugh trying to imagine getting any meaningful assistance with an ASV machine from the folks at my DME. Hilarious. I think the folks that really have a feel for it are the sleep techs who get real time experience with their patients and the prescribed equipment but you never get to talk to them other than when they're wiring you up.

I have this same experience with my pulmonary/sleep doc. He thinks the visit is all about compliance and making sure my insurance pays for it. Since I have to wait 90 minutes in a freezing cold office every time, and he weirdly never closes his office door so in the waiting room you can hear all about other patients' problems, I am switching docs.

[LTen]

Thanks to all. That answered my question. I'd felt like I wasn't getting much info from docs or DME, so now I know that's how it goes. Thank goodness for this forum and folks willing to help. I've answered tons of questions and dug up a lot of info by browsing and searching through these pages!

[StuUnderPressure]

If you have any Compliance requirements, you may have to keep your Sleep Doctor until that period has passed.

[squid13]

I go once a year just to satisfy Medicare so they'll buy my supplies. When I order supplies they aways ask when was my last visit and when is my next appointment and who my Doctor is.

[krstms]

This has me concerned. I don't have a "sleep" dr. My family dr ordered the test and then the dr at the hospital where the study was prescribed my machine/mask/pressure. I never seen this person even once and have not heard anything from my family dr either. DME gave me a rundown on how to operate the machine yesterday and sent me home with it. Should I be in direct consultation with someone and should they be a sleep specialist or neurologist?

[pbriggs]

I had 2 sleep studies and then met with the sleep doctor at 3 months. At that visit we talked about my REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (is what I thought it was even before the doc sent me to a neurologist). The the sleep doc wanted to see me again to look at my data as I started using medication to control the REM disorder - now he says - see you next year. The neurologist ran a test and said my brain pattern looks good so here - try this medication as it is likely REM disorder - then he will see me again in 6 months - something related to the medication I am told. I can say that the sleep doctor in my case is very good and only 1/2 the cost of the neurologist. I was totally shocked at the cost of the neurologist.

Overall - it looks like "normal" according to my sleep doctor is once at 3 months, then once a year. The neurologist says every 6 months for the rest of my life and new scan every 3 years or sooner if we notice any changes...

[Hosehead4ever]

Between insurance "compliance" requirements and changing pressure needs due to weight loss, I've had one study, two titrations, and at least six office appointments in the 2.5 years since I started cpap. I found my doctor to be quite useful in helping me understand my study/sleep architecture issues/etc, and my DME to be somewhat helpful in learning the ins and outs of cpap therapy, but have found the folks here at cpaptalk to be vital and don't know how long I'd have made it in the beginning without them. I assume the frequency of my visits will drop off soon.

[jbloodwo]

Basically my experinc matches krstyms's. At home study. Titration at a "sleep center" and a short overview of my brick from my DME.

[krstms]

Looks like we have the same insurance too. I wonder if that is why. (Aetna)

[Pugsy]

Looks like we have the same insurance too. I wonder if that is why. (Aetna)

9 times out of 10 it isn't the insurance that dictates the "bricks"...it is the DME telling you that 'this is all your insurance pays for' so the DME makes the greatest profit.
If you are trusting your DME and think they wouldn't ever lie to you...that's your first mistake.

[JohnO]

I wonder how often most people see their sleep doc once they seem stable with the system they are on?

I saw my sleep doc 30 days after my sleep study, then one year after my sleep study. I need to check in annually and get a letter that I send to the FAA to show continued compliance with therapy. I bring in my SD card from my machine so the doctor can review the data. I also review the data regularly at home, so there are no surprises.

It sounds like it varies quite a bit for different folks.