Questions to ask my doctor

PJ the DJ · Post by **PJ the DJ** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 2:23 pm

I will be seeing my pulmonary doctor this week (Friday) for the first time since starting CPAP. Since he wasn't especially helpful explaining things to me after I was diagnosed with sleep apnea (My DME was much more helpful), I am wondering what would be some good insightful questions to ask him about my therapy.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

elena88 · Post by **elena88** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 3:16 pm

Well, for one thing put your list in big font on one page, and carry it in to the office in your hand, if you
have it in your purse you might forget to take it out..

The first thing the doc will say.. is..

"So, how is it going?"

before you tell him HOW YOU ARE.. because most of them dont care about what you have to say if they heard you are OKAY, FINE, or its a challange..

Say, " well, actually Im glad you asked me that because I have some questions to ask you.. and I Hope you dont mind if I scribble down your
answers too, because I want to remember all this when I get home.. "

So I can tell you how to do it, but you need to let us know what your issues are right now, how has your experience been?
do you have a copy of your sleep study? Are you famailiar with most of the terminolgy? Are you happy with your machine? Did you learn to
download the information and can you post graphs? Is your AHI improving? what is your sleep quality?
They might have you fill out the epworth sleep scale (sleepy during day test) and check your oxygren level and bp..
are you congested, using humidifier, is your mask fitting? are you tired in the morning?

The doctor questions I had were:
What caused me to have OSA in the first place?
so do I really have to wear this the rest of my life?
how did this cure my nocturia?
I cant breath against the pressure, what can I do?
I cant sleep with this contraption, I need some help.
I feel worse than ever, why is that?
I had energy before cpap, now I have none, why?
How often do I have to have a doctor visit?
How often do I have to have a sleep study?
Is this going to cure the health problems that OSa caused?
How long is it going to take before I feel good again?

Yours will probably be quite different, but just be ready to hit each one, dont leave
without an answer to everyone of them..

good luck! And if you show up knowing something about your therapy and your machine, your doctor
might be more inclined to take whatever you have to say more seriously, and might be more
inclined to be supportive in YOU taking charge of your own therapy with docs advice for backup..

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 4:24 pm

Questions to ask about your PSG and Titration Study
by CPAPtalk member rooster

1. Did I have any central apneas? How many?

2. Were there any comorbidities? What were they?

3. Did I breathe or leak through my mouth? How often? What do you recommend to prevent it?

3. Did I exhibit Positional Sleep Apnea (PSA)? Was my apnea more severe in one sleeping position as compared to others? Is my pressure requirement higher in one position as compared to others? (Often sleep apnea is more severe when sleeping on the back.)

4. Is there anything else unusual about the results?

5. How will I know my therapy is preventing apneas?

6. I am determined to own a data-capable machine and software to monitor apneas, hypopneas and mask leak. This will allow me to call your office with specific questions if I have problems with the therapy. Will you help me with the appropriate prescription?

In addition to the questions:

1. Get a copy of your PSG. It is your legal right to have one.

2. Get a copy of your CPAP prescription.

3. Make sure the prescription calls for a humidifier with the machine.

wiki/index.php/Sleep_study

Questions to ask my doctor

Questions to ask my doctor

Re: Questions to ask my doctor

Re: Questions to ask my doctor