I'm dancing the happy dance!

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:52 am

So, I went to the real Sleep Doc today - I can recommend her highly!

Lisa Whims-Squires - She practices in Clearwater. She is awesome - not much older than me (36), but an old-school doc who believes in calling her patients directly and taking the time to get to know the entire patient - not just the case file.

She took more than an hour to meet with me. Got a complete family medical history, went into detail on my life-long sleep habits (not just when I started to notice problems).

She had to call for a copy of the raw sleep study results (Which the jerk ENT didn't send over like promised) and went over them - minute by minute - to explain what happened.

So, my problem is snoring - Upper Airway Respiratory Disturbance Syndrome - and isn't sleep apnea - hence, no insurance coverage. She explained I have three options:

1) Surgery. "It's 99% effective for stopping snoring, but only 50% for apnea. You will hurt like hell for at least a month, and have to re-learn how to swallow so you don't gag." No way...

2) A dental appliance "Yeah, this works, but I don't like to recommend them. Too many dentists do a lousy job fitting these - and they can shift your teeth. Not something I want you to suffer through."

3) A CPAP "It might be overkill for you, but it will stop your snoring and let you get sleep."

Once I do get sleep, I am supposed to lose 20 pounds (!), which may eliminate my need for the cpap.

Now, for snoring, insurance doesn't cover the device. However, she called her 'friend' at the resparatory clinic at Morton Plant Hospital (down the street from my office) and asked if he could - get this - 'loan' me an APAP AT NO COST for a month. Then, she said she's going to read the results, get the pressure I need and FIND me a refurbished CPAP at a rock bottom price so I can buy it outright.

I left with such a sense of optimism.... I finally can get some relief! I have a 1 p.m. appt. today to meet with the respiratory tech to get fitted and get my machine.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:30 am

Wowzers, Tom! Sounds like you hit the jackpot!! Congrats on being non-OSA. But just cuz you ain't got OSA doesn't mean you have to stop coming here and posting!!! LOL

Best of everything, ya lucky guy!

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:43 am

Shucks, Kajun! Even though I ain't one of you, you'll let me come back!

I'm just glad you guys gave me the courage and motivation to follow up and not just take this stuff for granted!

Tumbleweed · Post by **Tumbleweed** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:51 pm

Good Luck, Tom!

Keep us posted or allow this message board to help with any questions ya have. This is from a fellow Floridian......... about 3 countys north of you.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:28 pm

What a wonderful doctor you've found, Tom!

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:39 pm

Hang on to that MD, they are hard to find, like a needle in a haystack.

I'm so happy your finally getting treated.

Good luck and best of wishes,

Heidi

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:10 pm

TxKajun, great doctor. Let's hope she lives a long and happy life to help others.

Kind of like you I am not "technically" a victim of Sleep Apnea. I don't have enough events per hour. But I do have OSA and I was getting lousy sleep and had major sleep deficit. I DO feel much better sleeping on my APAP. four nights at my lower than titrated pressure on a straight CPAP and I felt like hell! So I know I need this. It took nearly 10 days for me to get back where I felt normal again. (normal after treatment).

I Loooooovvvvve my APAP and ain't givin' it up for nobody!