LinkC wrote: Sure, many of us read our cards/LEDs every morning...but how often does that result in a change? Do we really NEED to for good therapy? A competent doctor can keep you in effective therapy with quarterly or semi-annual monitoring. I would guess that's what the vast majority of CPAP patients do. And they are just as likely to buy new machines/masks as WE are.
The key words here are competent doctor. I've only had the opportunity to see my doctor once when she recommended the sleep study. Once the sleep study was done, her PA called me back and said "you have sleep apnea". That was the extent of going over my sleep study with me. From the time of diagnosis to the time I will see my doctor again, 2+ months will have elapsed. And I've been told by both her PA and her receptionist that she does not take phone calls and is normally booked up 2 months out. Prior to my sleep study, I was told by the doctor that Sleep Apnea is dangerous and if left untreated, could quite possibly kill me. After being diagnosed, when talking to her PA, I was given no opportunity to ask questions and was made to feel like I was being unreasonable when asking basic questions about my diagnosis and about what my options were when it came to a CPAP machine. I had to fight for what I got. This doctor is the head of the sleep department of a major local hospital here in Denver; she might well be very competent ; however, I wouldn't know because I can only judge her by how I've been treated by her staff and the DME she recommended. The DME provider didn't have a small mask for me to try on and foisted a medium mask on me -- "there's not much difference between small and medium". Do I trust these people to have my health and best interests at heart after this type of treatment? HELL NO! After these events, do I feel the need to become very actively involved in monitoring my CPAP therapy? HELL YES! Due to their incompetence, disinterest and arrogant behavior, you bet I feel the need to oversee my treatment. Had they been more respectful and professional, I would be more open to giving myself over to their treatment plan. I'm sure there are some competent doctors out there (my PCP is one), but judging from the stories on this forum, I'd say unfortunately, my story falls within the majority, not the minority.
Had I known at the time that RESMED had discontinued software availability to patients, I would have asked for a different machine. As it stands, I am working on getting a card reader and the software before they lock me out completely! Considering the high percentage of users who abandon CPAP use, I would think Doctors would be thrilled that a patient would be so actively interested in their treatment. The fact that many are not, leads me to believe that we are nothing more a means to an end. OK -- Rant over. Have a great day!
