When to see the doctor

[flyingwithoutwings]

First I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to guide us newbies in this new journey. I especially want to thank Pugsy for her helpfulness, you're a goldmine of information. I also want to thank Archangel - your comment "you got screwed" threw me but if it weren't for that comment, right now I'd be stuck with the brick the DME dispensed.

I've been on PAP therapy for 90 days now. Everything I've learned about PAP therapy I've learned on this forum. Never once spoke with the sleep doctor, my PCP had no clue what to do with the memory card (she's fired) and the DME was fired. My 30 day average AHI is 1.73 Do I really need to be seeing a doctor about my sleep apnea? If so, how often?

[HoseCrusher]

When you can't drag your ass out of bed because you haven't gotten a good nights sleep, you may want to take a look at your data, review it, discuss it, then if all else fails talk it over with your doctor.

If everything is going "peaches," you should probably check in with your doctor every 5 - 10 years just to remember who your doctor is...

[LSAT]

You will find a difference of opinion on the board....There are some people that don't believe that they can monitor themselves and think their doctor can help them. There are others that realize that if you are sleeping well and have a low AHI...you can monitor yourself. Why go to the doctor only to have him ask... how are you doing? After a few months of reading posts on this board you will know more about sleep apnea than most doctors. Personally after my first 90 days on the machine, I have not seen my original sleep doctor. If I need a prescription, I ask my PCP to write me one when I have my annual physical.

[Julie]

Hi - haven't seen you in a while, glad you're around - Happy New Year.

The only doctor I ever saw was in '06 - he gave me results and script for machine after my study and I haven't seen anyone since (except regular MD for other stuff).

[flyingwithoutwings]

Hi - haven't seen you in a while, glad you're around - Happy New Year.

The only doctor I ever saw was in '06 - he gave me results and script for machine after my study and I haven't seen anyone since (except regular MD for other stuff).

Oh yes, I'm always around......just haven't had any questions.

You will find a difference of opinion on the board....There are some people that don't believe that they can monitor themselves and think their doctor can help them. There are others that realize that if you are sleeping well and have a low AHI...you can monitor yourself. Why go to the doctor only to have him ask... how are you doing? After a few months of reading posts on this board you will know more about sleep apnea than most doctors. Personally after my first 90 days on the machine, I have not seen my original sleep doctor. If I need a prescription, I ask my PCP to write me one when I have my annual physical.

Thank you both. Just as I figured. Doctor nor DME were any help to me during my first month when I was so miserable (which led me to this wonderful forum) so why bother now. I don't think there's anything a doctor can tell me that SleepyHead can't tell me and if I have questions, there's no better place to look for an answer than here. Just checking - to make sure.

Thanks again!!

[Surly]

I see my sleep Dr annually unless I need to initiate an earlier appointment for some reason.

[chunkyfrog]

Once a year, so Medicare and Aetna can't weasel out of paying for my supplies; and so the doc can pay his greens fees.

[Bill44133]

I am seeing a neurologist for my OSA and she just asked that I fax her my reports off the machine for every month.
She said that since I am new she asked that I come back in 6 months.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I think the frequency of your visits all depends on your doctor and DME team. Some can't seem to be bothered with little details like solving leak problems, REM wake-ups or what's the best ointment to put on pressure sores (for example). Other doctor's get involved or at least recommend someone who can help solve your problems. My sleep doctor simply gave me a list of online resources and CPAPtalk was at the top of the list. I guess you can draw your own conclusions from that.

[Stormynights]

I finally got a good sleep doctor and I just cancelled an appointment because I can't afford the copay at this time. I will go back to her but I will have to stretch out copays so I can afford them.

[bavinck]

Really, this forum was #1 recommend from your sleep doc? That's cool.