Sleep Doctors

Hey, I'm looking for a new doctor that specializes or is knowledgeable in areas of sleep and sleep apnea. What type of doctors should I be looking at? Does anyone have any suggestion? I live in Bergen County of New Jersey which is located in the northeast of the state.

Sleep doctors come in two varieties that I know of.
Neurologist sleep doctors and
Pulmonologist sleep doctors.

Depending on what's going on with your particular flavor of apnea, one might be a better choice than the other.

I may be that if your apnea is neurologically based such as idiopathic Cheyne-Stokes or central apnea, then a neurologist might be the better choice.

If it more along the lines of COPD and/or congestive heat failure related, then the pulmonologist might be the better choice for you.

Whatever the choice you make, look into their background, see what medical school etc. they went to, ask friends and neighbors who also are sleep apnea sufferers for their insight into local doctors. If you have a really good internal medicine doctor, then ask them for a reference. It all amounts to doing due diligence about someone you are going to depend on for life important care. When you finally get to see them, are they willing to talk to you and partner with you about your therapy? Are they willing and interested in looking at your data to help you decide on the best course of action? Or, are they in the "Here's what it is and come back in a year." kind of doctor. If the latter, then continue your search.

Both of the sleep doctors that I currently see are pulmonologists but that is a coincidence and partly the result of the small metro area I live in. My apnea problems seem to be neurologically related (idiopathic Cheyne-Stokes for one) but the care I'm currently getting seems to be right for me. Both of them are very interested in my reports from my therapy and actively ask for the most recent data. Neither has any problem with my making changes in pressures, etc. after consultation so they know what result I am seeking. It's a partnership.

Generally you go to a primary care doctor first and tell them you think you have this condition and they'll refer you to someone based on some questions and your insurance plan.

In my case I was referred to a pulmonologist at a respiratory practice that had a relationship with a sleep clinic and had a CPAP machine a few weeks later.

Out of that same primary doctor visit I got referrals for a colonoscopy, hearing exam, and blood work too... took care of a bunch of stuff that needed doing.

Im very very sorry for the late reply but thanks so much for this valuable information