Rant

Spidermonkey · Post by **Spidermonkey** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:31 pm

Well, i just came from the ENT and found out that I have a deviated septum that requires surgery. So here's my beef---I started this whole process in November and had THREE sleep studies because they were unable to titrate me. The sleep doc never examined me, never looked in my nose, and didn't send me to the ENT until the third study didn't give good data. Doesn't it seem like that should be one of the first things done once the diagnosis is made--make sure there are no physical anomalies that need fixing??

It's so frustrating. Thank goodness I've found all of you and learned to get a handle on what I'm doing with my machine and software. At this stage of the game, I'm far more informed about my situation than my sleep doc.

Susan

TANSTAF1 · Post by **TANSTAF1** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:54 pm

I have a very good primary care physician. He sent me to an ENT first to make sure there weren't other problems casuing the sleep apnea. This sounds sloppy to me. Hopefully your insurance picked up the cost so all youare out is the time and aggravation.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:58 pm

Well, it seems to me that you have an excellent point, Susan. However, a septoplasty for repair of a deviated septum is not necessarily the answer to an apnoeic's problems.

I have a deviated septum, and my treatment is fine. Several doctors have looked at my CAT scans and X-rays and determined that the septoplasty would basically do nothing wrong.

So, perhaps discounting the deviated septum was quite normal UNTIL the results showed a problem. I do not know, but just thought to share with you that not all deviated septums need to be repaired.

Best wishes, and take excellent care of yourself.

Karen

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:49 pm

When I told my ER doctor dad that the sleep doc scheduled me for a sleep study, he said, "When you go to a tailor they make you a suit." "What?" "You're going to a sleep doctor. So, you're getting a sleep study. And it could very well be that you need a sleep study, but when you go to a tailor they make you a suit. Besides, sleep studies are profitable."