UARS Dr needed-Los Angeles, Ventura, CA

I desperately need a recommendation for a sleep doctor who is very knowledgeable about UARS and sleep disordered breathing. In Santa Barbara city, Ventura County, or greater Los Angeles area. Thank you!

(At my wits end here... 2 sleep doctors in 2 years and nothing to show for it but frustration. Quality of life gone.)

I would consider the trip up to Stanford worth it, myself, if it was me.

I’ll definitely consider that, thank you. I’m unable to travel long distances however. Things are pretty rough right now.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 9:06 am

I’ll definitely consider that, thank you. I’m unable to travel long distances however. Things are pretty rough right now.

Perhaps your primary could contact Stanford for a recommendation for someone in your area who was educated at Stanford on the subtleties of UARS. Your preferences for approaches beyond PAP (such as dental or surgical ENT options) may affect whether you are looking for someone who specializes in such aspects of treatment in connection with UARS.

If an ENT surgeon is what you are looking for, this fellow seems like he might be well enough educated in UARS: https://www.zaghimd.com/

jnk... wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 9:38 am

Perhaps your primary could contact Stanford for a recommendation for someone in your area who was educated at Stanford on the subtleties of UARS. Your preferences for approaches beyond PAP (such as dental or surgical ENT options) may affect whether you are looking for someone who specializes in such aspects of treatment in connection with UARS.

If an ENT surgeon is what you are looking for, this fellow seems like he might be well enough educated in UARS: https://www.zaghimd.com/

Thank you for your help! I will look into that doctor. I saw him online but wasn’t sure. Good to know you think he might be okay. I don’t really have a primary dr. It’s a long story...

I did have an APAP machine but couldn’t comply because it kept giving me a “head cold”. The dr couldn’t/didn’t help me and I didn’t know about this forum yet. I ended up giving the machine back in disgust.

My issues are not the most typical, however I’m certain I’d benefit from really trying to give the PAP machine a chance. At this point I’m considering buying an AirCurve VAuto (if I can find one!) and figuring this out myself(with the gracious help of this forum). My insurance is pretty bad, so it’s not a big help with the cost of the machine anyway.

I had to pay OOP for my sleep study which was inconclusive/stupid/a waste of time and money. However 2 home studies plus my symptoms and audio recordings of my sleep was enough to at least get a PAP machine. I was too stubborn back then to give it a real try. I’m kicking my past self.

I wonder if it’s silly for me to just try to do this myself. I’m feeling pretty hopeless here.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

I wonder if it’s silly for me to just try to do this myself. I’m feeling pretty hopeless here.

I did it myself several years ago .... got a used bipap off craigslist and with the help of this site and the good people here I have my AHI to less than 1 most of the time

It is kinda like a diet ... you don't need a DR to tell you what to eat each day


Good luck

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

At this point I’m considering buying an AirCurve VAuto

I'm sure you know that is one of the more expensive machines. Why are you considering that model?

There are machines with low hours available at reasonable prices:

Gently Used ResMed S10 AirCurve VPAP Auto *VAuto) w/ Heated Humidifier

PRICE DROP! $799

https://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html

There are a number of us here who have bought used machines from SecondwindCPAP.com and can vouch for the product quality and customer service.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

I wonder if it’s silly for me to just try to do this myself.

No, it is not.

As a general rule, sleep docs are OK for getting a diagnosis and for the paperwork needed for getting payers to pay. But if those things are not needed at this point, a person should do just fine with education, software, and online forum help when it comes to tweaking PAP treatment for optimal results.

here is a place you can start .... for less that a sleep test. not sure how far it is from you.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/hab ... 75004.html

everything you need to get started.

grayghost4 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 11:00 am

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

I wonder if it’s silly for me to just try to do this myself. I’m feeling pretty hopeless here.

I did it myself several years ago .... got a used bipap off craigslist and with the help of this site and the good people here I have my AHI to less than 1 most of the time

It is kinda like a diet ... you don't need a DR to tell you what to eat each day


Good luck

Thank you! Knowing I can DIY (DIM?) as so many have before me... I’m ready. It’s been quite the struggle. Hard to get answers or help. I’m really glad to hear you are doing well. Your success is my hope.

jnk... wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 11:04 am

As a general rule, sleep docs are OK for getting a diagnosis and for the paperwork needed for getting payers to pay. But if those things are not needed at this point, a person should do just fine with education, software, and online forum help when it comes to tweaking PAP treatment for optimal results.

I’m ready to pay OOP, I was previously diagnosed, and I’m informed with as much education as I can be up to this point. Thank you for your advice!

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 11:01 am

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

At this point I’m considering buying an AirCurve VAuto

I'm sure you know that is one of the more expensive machines. Why are you considering that model?

There are machines with low hours available at reasonable prices:

Gently Used ResMed S10 AirCurve VPAP Auto *VAuto) w/ Heated Humidifier

PRICE DROP! $799

https://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html

There are a number of us here who have bought used machines from SecondwindCPAP.com and can vouch for the product quality and customer service.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

I wonder if it’s silly for me to just try to do this myself.

No, it is not.

Thank you for your encouragement. Your username seems familiar or exact to one I saw in another place about CPAP and apnea. If so, you were very sweet and helpful when some were most unkind to my situation.

I was previously advised that for my particular issues (mainly flow limitations, RERAS, Catathrenia, autonomic nervous system dysregulation/complex PTSD) the VAuto would be the best machine. The “For her” could work, too but I was convinced for a few hundred more better to get a machine that offers the bipap rather than 50/50 fix/not fix my issues with APAP. Hope that makes sense.

I was under the impression that Secondwind required a prescription. I had intended to buy that machine but read elsewhere they required an rx. Any more clarification on that would be incredibly helpful!

According to the secondwind website a RX is required unless it's an international sale.
BUT....seems like they will still sell it and ship it if you promise to send the RX later...and you "forget to" doesn't seem to upset anyone.
At least that is what I have been told can happen.

And you may be able to get any one of the following to write a PAP Rx:

Medical Doctor
Doctor of Osteopathy
Psychiatrist (MD Only)
Physicians Assistant
Nurse Practitioners
Dentist
Naturopathic Physicians

-- https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions

And based on what you said earlier, you may have the earlier somewhere. Or may be able to get your hands on it from your records somehow.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:05 am

I did have an APAP machine but couldn’t comply because it kept giving me a “head cold”. The dr couldn’t/didn’t help me and I didn’t know about this forum yet. I ended up giving the machine back in disgust.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 11:14 am

I did have an APAP machine but couldn’t comply because it kept giving me a “head cold”. The dr couldn’t/didn’t help me and I didn’t know about this forum yet. I ended up giving the machine back in disgust.

It sounds like somewhere there is a prescription that you could give to Secondwind CPAP?? If you don't have a copy, get a copy from the prescribing facility. It's your legal right to have a copy. I find it best to ask for Medical Records when calling a facility for a copy of the prescription.

emcee13 wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 11:26 am

I was previously advised that for my particular issues (mainly flow limitations, RERAS, Catathrenia, autonomic nervous system dysregulation/complex PTSD) the VAuto would be the best machine. The “For her” could work, too but I was convinced for a few hundred more better to get a machine that offers the bipap rather than 50/50 fix/not fix my issues with APAP. Hope that makes sense.

That makes perfect sense.