Sleep Docs - Pulminary or Neurology

I've seen both types of specialists in this field. Are there any thoughts about the advantages of one over the other?

My apnea was first suggested by an allergist who I have been seeing to determine the cause for a cough I've had since last September (which we've still not solved!) I am about to go for an asthma test and wondered if I can kill two doc visits in one by finding a pulminologist who can monitor both conditions.

Thoughts?

Hi, I would tell you to go with the pulmonologist in your case, but otherwise, it could depend a lot on the individual doctor - what 'extra' education he's had about apnea, which is not a routine course in med school, but a subspecialty he/she decided to take up for whatever reason, which means having attended seminars, done research, taking courses outside of 'regular' school, etc, all of which can be hard for a patient to evaluate, but reputation can be looked at of course. You can also find out by asking your state board about what are the best qualifications for someone in the field, and what are the lesser ones (which may still confer a good level of knowledge), and then ask your MD for his own.

Thanks. That's good info. Still would like other opinions!

Ear, nose and throat Doctor. The doctor will send you for a sleep study but will be able to see obvious defects as well.

Mine is my Pulmonologist. Have you thought about GERD, it may be causing your cough?? A persistent cough is one of the symptoms.

mallen4258 wrote:Have you thought about GERD, it may be causing your cough?? A persistent cough is one of the symptoms.

Exactly what I was wondering. My mother had a slight cough for a year. The doctor put her on Prilosec and it went away instantly.

I have never seen a sleep doctor. A sleep doctor interpreted my sleep study but I never met him. I am dealing with my Apnea with a primary care physician. Since I have taken charge of my own treatment and my case is not complicated, there is no reason to see a specialist.

The MD who read my sleep test and titration study was a neurologist-in fact, he is part of the practice that my own neurologist is in(I have a seizure disorder)- and I know him by reputation, which is very good. He has had email comunication with his patients for many years, and is very available by this and by phone as well as appointments- so I suppose if I ever feel the need, I could ask to see him instead of the doc I have been seeing. I also have an excellent practice of pulmonologists who would probably be able to give me pretty good advice-I have never asked them anything, but have not yet had occasion to.
~joan

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." - Morpheus, the Matrix, 1999

to determine the cause for a cough I've had since last September

I second the thought to check for GERD.
But also be aware that ashma can prsent itself as cough instead of a wheeze. I have GERD because my ashma made me cough until I threw up. Doing that almost every morning for a couple of years did a number on all parts involved. I self diagnosed because no amount of antibiotics was makeing a difference, told the doctor it was ashma and got an inhaller which stopped the cough dead in its tracks. However at the end the GERD & the ashma started to play together.