Expecting too much??????

My family doctor referred me for a sleep study 3/31/05. At that time I was diagnosed with severe OSA. About 10 days later my family doctor office phoned and sent me over to have a mask fitted and get a Bipap machine. The folks at the fitting could not give me any specific information about my condition, just general info about the machine and mask. I phoned the family doctor and got 2 pages of the report from the sleep clinic, which gave a small amount of detail.
I have had no further contact from my doctor. Maybe I am expecting too much. Maybe a month is not enough time for the doctors office to get some info together to at least give me the basics of sleep apnea and what I should expect about duration of treatment, what does severe apnea mean for me in the near and distant future.
I am concerned, perhaps without good reason. I suppose the answer is to get with the doctors office for some answers.

Bull, I would be all over that doctor. they can have the results and know what yoou need right away. Don't take it and be proactive with this doctor. Tell him you need treatment now and you expect no less from him. The only thing about this whole process that will be slow is the insurance approval as they don't know hoe to do anything fast but denie claims. Calling and putting the rush to them will speed this process as well. One thing I have learned with all my health problems is that the skeaky wheel gets the grease!

Pretty much tossing the results and equipment at you and saying "see you at your next pricey sleep study in a year" was certainly my experience and I get the impression that is pretty common for many people.

The rest is all figured out by hours and hours of time asking questions and reading support forums like this. I seriously do not understand how people stay compliant at all without a support group like a forum such as this.

Sure we should EXPECT more........

I am so happy we have an incredible doc. Both hubby and I had sleep studies on the same night at the hospital. "Hotel type" rooms across the hall from each other. We met with the doc (head of the sleep disorders dept at a major city hospital) the VERY next morning, going over results in great detail, sitting next to him seeing all the data displayed on his computer monitor after each of the two sleep studies. Doc answered all our questions -- and questions we didn't even know we had. Our follow up is after six months. We LOVE him! Who knew this wasn't the norm!

The equipment supplier was also great as we could take a mask and if it wasn't right, could return for different ones over the ensuing 30 days. They spent time fitting etc.

In addition, this forum has been soooooo helpful for additional information about different masks and equipment, etc. etc. etc.!!!

lynn

You guys are so lucky!

You ought to post who these people are so anybody in that area can find them. They deserve a plug. What a great experience! Form sure not the norm

I must say I feel very lucky too as my sleep doctors are really good. I've had meetings with two of them, one being the head of the dept. They have explained everything in detail and have been sensitive to my issues. They are internet savvy and we have exchanged links. Since my insurance does not cover the equipment cost they even recommended I buy online to get the best pricing (said to try and use the DME to view equipment options but not to but from them).

My first followup is this Friday, 4 weeks after i officially agreed to start treatment (I was resisting it and tried very hard to find a better alternative, they patiently talked it through with me and kept gently nudging me to believe in the xpap therapy). Also at my HMO once they officially diagnose you, they require you to sit through a 3 hour presentation where they explain the mechanics of what's going on with sleep apnea, explain the treatment alternatives, show studies highlighting the benefits and dangers of not getting treatment, and fit you with your first trial mask and loan you an apap for a week (resmed spirits). It's very well done.

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