How much to Share with New Dr

I officially started APAP in December.

I also signed up with their online medical records portal. My sleep Dr sent me a quick email basically saying "Hi, if you need anything or have any questions, let me know."

That broke the ice. I had to bring my data card for a 2 week read to the DME (they forwarded the results to the Dr) and he sent me another email. Something to the effect of "things look pretty good; how's it working out for you?"

I then responded that it was going as well as it could sleeping with an alien on your face and I had been doing a lot of research about sleep apnea and found a couple message boards. Those folks recommended following your data; so I told him I downloaded Sleepyhead.

He discounted Sleepyhead; saying it wasn't specifically for that machine, wasn't tested or something........ He didn't seem to care one way or the other.

I also tried to get my Rx from the Dr's office; they said they'd be more than happy to send it to any online store but wouldn't give me a copy. I did get a copy of it when I picked up my machine from the DME. They also wouldn't give me a copy of my sleep study; I got it from my dentist after I had them fax it over. There are ways around things if you run into the wall.

Blackspinner - Yeah, I know I can go to any doctor, but since I moved, I have ALL new doctors. I'm saving the dentist as a last resort since I am still seeing that guy (even though he's an hour away). I really want to establish new doctors here and since I never had a sleep doctor at the old house, I have no other reference. I hate the primary care guy...I think he's generally competent but...somehow not my permanent guy. There are SO few doctors taking new patients that I have to stick with the primary care until I get another sure thing.

KTeague - Thanks for the advice, I really needed it. I'm so desperate that I can come across as "loaded for bear". I think you're telling me to have the info in my purse with me, but only whip it out once I see that the doctor is willing to consider it. Good advice. It's the first visit and I don't want her to think I'm an over aggressive nut case.

NozzelNut -See, I wish I had an emailer doctor. I mean, yeah, I want to SEE someone, but in between, quick questions and such, it'd be nice to email. My primary care has email, but won't use it (it's at his site AND at the hospital portal). I've given up and am hoping the next doctor will be better. And you know...I'd be so thankful if the guy I went to would give it to any internet guy I wanted! I don't need a copy myself! I just want the internet guy to get it. I did some calculations and I'm actually equal or BETTER off with the internet guy, even though insurance only pays 60%, instead of 80% to a "preferred provider". Yeah, that's how much different it costs. And since I don't want these "preferred providers" to control which mask I wear 8 hours a day, I will take the time to fill out the paperwork and pay the same price. At least Internet people provide detailed receipts!

PS...guys...thanks for listening to my vent. Doctor #2 will see me at the end of the month (apparently, she's REAL busy, which I hope is a good thing!). I think I've got enough equipment to last me well past then. So, if #2 doesn't work, I'll try #3. But this lady looks really nice.

Guys...just wanted to "finish" this story. So, I finally get to see new Doctor! WHAT A RELIEF! A doctor who cares about how well I'm sleeping. She wasn't mad that I went to another doctor first and just wanted to help me out. So, she recommended that I turn up the pressure on my machine to be closer to the average amount and thinks that that might address the remaining "lack of energy" in the morning. And she actually cares to see me again to check on me. I got some Flonase for the runny nose and she told me to turn up the humidity. One interesting comment...she says that she prefers the Philips Respironics. I had to ask why and it turns out...she can monitor all of her patients on one easy web interface! Now that's a good thing because I suspect she actually LOOKS to help her patients! But she assured me that it was more important to have a machine that *I* liked, not one that was easy for her to monitor. Where has this lady been hiding?

It was nice to speak to someone who cared, who actually listened and tried to address the "complaints" etc. I had lost faith in the whole medical profession... The only bad part? She used to be an internist and didn't want to be on call so now she just does the sleep stuff. Off to find a competent internist now (this one gave me a few referrals).

Congratulations.
When you think about it, one-stop shopping is a good way to get low quality everything--think Wal-Mart.

ChunkyFrog...yes, I agree. The difference is - when you go to Walmart, you know where you're going and you're not expecting a camera expert or a computer expert to help you. When you go to "sleep doctor", I am not thinking that I'm heading to Walmart. See, if this was "mail order cpap" then I would have known. But this was promised to be "classy cpap" and I got "crappy cpap" I now have "classy cpap" with a true doctor.