Anyone know good sleep docs in or near Chicago

I have been diagnosed with OSA. My ENT is the one that ordered the sleep study and subsequently my Cpap. I do not feel he is really on top of my treatment. I want to see a sleep specialist. Does anyone know of any good sleep doctors that I could see????
Thanks!!!

Ruzica Ristanovic, M.D.

Medical Director, Associate Professor of Neurology
Sleep Disorders Center
Department of Neurology
Evanston Hospital
2650 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201

Main 847-570-2567
Fax 847-570-2984
E-Mail r-ristanovic@northwestern.edu
Other 847-570-2567 (appointments)

Website: http://www.enh.org

Dr. R. is a life-saver, and highly regarded in this field.

I am also looking for a sleep specialist near Chicago if anyone has any suggestions???

Your best bet is to educate yourself to the maximum extent practicable and take charge of your own treatment. This forum is a good place to start. Also go the the NIH web site and search on terms like sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, SDB, apnea, hypopnea, etc. Cpap manufacturers also have good info on their web sites.

My first move in taking charge of my treatment was self-education. I built up a reference manual with tabs by subject. My second move was to buy a pulse oximeter, because maintaining sufficient blood oxygen levels is what cpap treatment is all about. With the PO I can be certain that the therapy is working. Last week I bought the Encore Pro software and next week I get a new Remstar M auto. Then I will start monitoring the Cpap machine output data as well as my SaO2.

The sleep doc I went to is an internal medicine doc with credentials in pulminology. I saw him once and that one visit was enough to last me a lifetime. Next time I see my internist, I am asking him to take over my case management.

If you want to know more about my frustrations, search on Frustrated in Oklahoma.

I agree with Jeepdr. that you need to educate yourself. The best sleep doctors don't necessarily know the practical pros & cons of the equipment, how to position it best, etc., what great gadgets are available from CPAP.com, and even on the big auction sites...and masks are SO individual that you will probably end up trying several over a period of months. Be sure you have a good DME who works with your insurance.

All that said,

Thomas Freedom, M.D.
Chief, Sleep Disorders Center
Glenbrook Hospital
2100 Pfingsten Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 832-6121

Dr. Freedom believes new CPAP users should have 6-month check-ups

Also, if you are looking for a good DME, and have coverage OTHER than United Healthcare:

Red Oak Medical
4592 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 794-4759

I can't use Red Oak any more because I have United Heathcare insurance, whose DME is Walgreens. However, the Red Oak folks are great at communication, quick to respond, and I was fortunate to have the patient and experienced respiratory therapist, Claudia, fit my my second mask (SleepNet IQ--loved the mask but ended up not liking the headgear). She brought several possibilities, and also checked out my first (Swift Mirage) and told me what I was doing wrong with it. At least one of their office employees uses CPAP herself.

Good luck
Frankie