Of all the rotten, stinkin' luck!

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:16 am

So, I get home yesterday and listen to my voice mail messages. Turns out the follow up appointment I had scheduled for today needs to be pushed back - the doc doesn't have the results of the sleep test yet!

NOW, I have to call this morning and figure out when my results are going to be back - and continue to wait... grrrr.....

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:56 am

OK, I gotta wait until next Tuesday.

So, I went to bed at 8:30 last night, woke up something like four times, got up at 6:00 this morning, and I'm still exhausted.... This waiting thing sucks....

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:59 am

Definitely understand the waiting thing sucks feelings. Met with Sleep Dr. on Feb 17th. The first available appointment at sleep clinic was April 13. Had to wait almost 7 weeks, but Dr. was sure I had sleep apnea. So sure, in fact, that she introduced me to two med students who asked me questions since the facility I was at was a teaching hospital.

Good luck on the sleep test results. Hopefully they can start treatment soon.

Howard

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:07 pm

Yes it can take a long time to get through the process. My Dr. signed me up for testing last August ('04) and I'm just now at the point where I will start treatment tonight. That's 8 months running through the system and being tested. Apparently part of the problem is there has been a huge flood of Dr's referring patients into the sleep test system.

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:24 pm

You know, Ron, you might be on to something. If I didn't get my April 4 sleep study appt, I would have had to wait until mid-May to get in. So, I'm still ahead of the curve....

Just hard to know I have a problem and I can't walk away with the treatment....

Lost Snoozer · Post by **Lost Snoozer** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:39 pm

urgently. I had to wade through the process from Dec 04, to March/April 05. I finally have the machine but do to cost cutting insurance and DME's that want a good profit margin, I have the cheap machine. I would like to have had an APAP so I can better treat my OSA.

From my experience, I would say that you have to fight to get what you need and want. When you get tired of waiting, don't find more patience, call your doctor, sleep lab or dme and get the help you need. They think they are helping people which they are, but they are also just doing a job, make them work for you.

Good Luck

Florida Lady · Post by **Florida Lady** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:21 am

I got my cpap machine and mask in 2001. I was lucky, I had no waiting time for an appointment. From the time I had the sleep study to receiving my equipment it was only 3 weeks. I was lucky. I guess now doctors are more aware and more informed about sleep apnea and there are a lot more referrals. Since I've received my equipment I sleep 8-10 hrs a night and feel great. Hang in there. I will be praying for all of you.

wcampion · Post by **wcampion** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:20 am

TT,

I feel for you. I travel for work weekly, so I am only in town on Fridays, which extends my wait time to see my GP. Once I saw the GP, it took about a month to arrange a sleep study. The painful part of the study was the fact that my initial results were lost in cyberspace somewhere. I had to schedule a second study before the results made it to my GP. I was beside myself. I too knew I needed treatment, and it seemed like everyone was conspiring against me.......the GP, Sleep lab, cyberspace, DME, insurance....etc. I finally got through it and when you finally get through to the other side, you will be thankful and will forget about the painful process.

Best of Luck,
The Road Warrior

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:36 am

Well, during my call yesterday, I made it clear I wanted the FIRST appointment I could get after they 'estimated' my results would be back. I kept pinning them down. "When will they be in? How long does it take to come back normally? If I require a CPAP, when can I get it? " Blah, blah, blah.

I kept the nurse on the phone for about ten minutes and must have asked something like fifteen questions that required detailed answers. So, with my next appointment set for the 26th, HOPEFULLY I'll be able to get some relief...

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:51 am

T Tom,

It's amazing how the Sleep Med people can seem to drag their feet. I guess it's no big deal though... it's not like we are having trouble breathing or anything. Oh wait, we are having trouble breathing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:28 pm

Tampa Tom...

I have a sure fire way of having the Sleep Docs come to you.... have a stroke due to your sleeping problem... it worked for me... Not Recommended For Everyone....

bpoe689 · Post by **bpoe689** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:52 pm

I agree with the long wait being a pain. Another thing that has really hacked me off. You do your sleep study, get results, finally get machine, then you are told, "SEE YOU IN 6 MONTHS FOR FOLLOW UP." Don't they know you need more follow up than that. It is like, well, we got our money, now we are through with you until we can collect again.

Becky, need a little more TLC!!!

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:30 pm

So, Becky, did you ever have that gastric bypass surgery?

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 6:33 am

Only a few more nights - I can do it... I hope...

1:30 pm Eastern on Tuesday April 26. It can't come soon enough...

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:09 pm

Mine was a little different.

My DME sent the results of my CPAP 5 day home titration to the doctor after downloading it to the computer.

The DME knew what I was needing, but he couldn't do anything until the doctor told them.

I made two phone calls and the second call did the trick. The office never called me, but called my DME and in two days I had my machine.

I found out that my machine was special ordered for me because my doctor ordered something they did not have.

Of all the rotten, stinkin' luck!

Of all the rotten, stinkin' luck!

The medical profession should treat Sleep Apnea more

No waiting time

Rottin' luck

Mask