y'all have already made a difference

So, I live in an area generally known for its medical facilities, and I have good insurance, so you'd think I would have access to pretty top quality treatment. Just goes to show that you can't let your guard down... short story is, through a series of events - miscommunications? errors? who knows? on the part of my doctor's office- I had managed to get a sleep study and receive a CPAP without ever having seen a sleep specialist. I didn't even know such a specialty existed-- I only learned of it through this forum. (Point one to you all.)

Also through this forum, I learned that my machine records useful information about my sleep. Which is something that my primary care doctor didn't even know, and the DME didn't mention. (Point two to you all.)

Also, because of the aforesaid mistakes/oversights, nobody explained about maybe getting some actual follow-up after diagnosis. I kinda figured out myself that this would probably be advisable, especially once I knew that there was some actual data that could be reviewed. Result: I just had my first appointment with a sleep specialist. Even this was actually not as good as it should have been, in my opinion. I told him that while I'd seen improvement, I wasn't satisfied with the level of improvement and asked whether it might make sense to increase the pressure setting. The data from the machine showed that I still have an AHI of between 5 and 10, more often than not. So... not good enough, in my book. He seemed to think this level wasn't a big deal... and only at THAT point did he read the notes from my titration study (which had been scored by another doctor, who sadly is presently out sick). Turns out, the titration study actually said that it was a "difficult" titration and that a higher pressure or BIPAP might be needed. And that clinical monitoring will also be needed. Ahem!

I am an avowed data junkie anyway, but all this just goes to show even more, as this forum so nicely emphasizes, how important it is to take charge of your own situation and get the care you need. (Point 3 to you all.)

Hopefully my new setting will be even better, but if not... you can be bet I'm going to be back insisting that whatever needs to be done, is.

Thanks for being there and helping with the education.

He seemed to think this level wasn't a big deal...

you are getting readings up to ten, he thinks that is no big deal?

He didnt seem to be very proactive out of the gate for you....

I hate it when you have to nudge doctors to do what you are paying them to do in the first place..

gosh, are there any other sleep specialists besides that one you could see, or do you think you can "train" him?

To be clear, I don't know if any of the readings were actually as high as 10... I was just looking at a chart printed out kinda small-- but a lot of them were in the 5-10 range-- that was as close a resolution as I could manage from the printout. But yes, I'm hoping that the doctor who ran my sleep study will be back in the saddle at some point so that I can try her. In the meantime, I'm going to see how this increase in pressure goes, and if it doesn't help enough and/or if this doctor's follow-up doesn't seem adequate, I will certainly be looking for another doctor.

who ever you see, they should take a keen interest in that you are trying to help yourself with your therapy,
and be as proactive in finding solutions for you.. they should not be threatened by you taking the initiative..

Im done with the distracted, burned out, apathetic, could care less docs.. there are plenty of those,

but there are tons of great docs out there too... just gotta sniff em out!

good luck!