Finding a Sleep Doc

I read all the time about people going to the "sleep doc". How do you find these people? I tried my insurance company's locator for Denver, Salt Lake and Grand Junction, CO nothing under sleep apnea. What other specialties do they lurk under? Eight years ago, my small town GP, sent me to a ENT, who had the sleep study results sent off to SLC for "reading". That ENT has retired now so that's not even a place to start. I'm trying to be prepared to sit down with my current GP next Friday, to look at my low blood oxygen levels. I think my PAP therapy is at least partly to blame. I think bringing more information to this forum is going to be my best bet, for the xPAP part of it!! Can somebody give me some guidance on finding a true sleep doc!!

thanks all !!!
Kelvin

In the past I could click on the above icon in this window named Local Services which would show me EMDs and also sleep clinics and professionals thru out the country. Let me try it again. Does not work anymore.

But Google this and see what you get:

sleep disorders physician in los angeles, california

Ask your GP for a referral to either a pulmonologist (respiratory doc), neurologist or cardiologist who's specialized in sleep disorders. There's no formal specialty (yet) like any of those who graduated as a sleep doc, but some other specialist who has a serious interest in SA and has taken courses, etc. in it.

Both "sleep doctors" I have gone to have been Pulmonologists with a side specialty of sleep disorders. Both were good Pulmonologists, but, weak in the sleep area.

http://healthcare.utah.edu/sleepwakecenter/

I started here with a doc that is not there now, but they have a great clinic setup. I would bet they will do a good job for you. Although sleep testing is never fun.

Might be fun to take the train from Denver to SLC.

I went to HealthGrades to look for a sleep doctor in Denver.
Among the 20 or so I found was:

Dr. Stephen P. Duntley, MD Sleep Medicine, Clinical Neurophysiology
274 Union Blvd
Suite 110,
Lakewood, CO 80228

There are plenty of pulmonologists as well as docs with just the speciality of sleep medicine.

In order of preference for me:
1) Neurology / Sleep Medicine
2) Sleep Medicine
3) Pulmonology

Get a list and ask you PCP to help you choose and write a referral.

I just used Dr. Duntley as an example of someone in neurology and sleep medicine.
This is not either a recommendation for or against Dr. Duntley as I have no personal knowledge of him or his practice.

Most of the Neurology doctors here handle sleep disorders. Good Luck.

When I went in for my sleep study, I was referred by my GP. When I was done, I got a call from a Neurologist and a Pulmonologist to go in and see them about my results. Being sleep deprived, I had no use for TWO DOCS, and ignored the Pulmonologist. After a few months on the hose, the Neurologist - who I really liked and was super great and gave me an Auto when I asked and everything - moved to the next town over and it was less convenient to see her. The pulmonologist was right there a couple blocks from me. So I decided to go see him.

The great thing is, he's FABO and he takes care of my asthma too. So it all worked out for me. I didn't have to "find" a doc, they just landed in my lap.

It might work that way for you too. Ask your GP if they know what the drill is, with your particular insurance plan, and the medical community the GP belongs to.

My docs all belonged to the same medical system here in town, so I think that's why they were all interrelated, along with the sleep study lab. I now see a GP from another medical system, but she knows my Pulmonologist and likes him, and they play nicely together in taking care of me.

Don't try so hard. It's probably all going to fall together for you, without you having to go beat the bushes.
B.

A lot of Doctors do "Sleep Medicine" as "part" of their practice.

"My" preference is for a Sleep Doctor who does NOTHING else.
These people are usually Neurologists, etc.

Since they do ONLY Sleep Medicine, THEY do the consult with you about the results of your Sleep Study AND they UNDERSTAND what the report says.

THANKS !!!! all for your input. I feel more prepared for my GP this next Friday!! I think I'm headed toward a pulmonologist for more than my sleep, so that's my leaning. I'm still wrestling with how my episodes of low blood ox coorelate to hypopnea, OA and snores, which is where I'm focusing. AHI makes even less sense to me, in regards to low O2... I bumped my pressure from 9.5 to 10.5 last night and I got a lot better looking pulse/ox card this morning AND I feel metter rested today, but that's just one night's worth. A step in the right direction.

Yes, Purple, the train from Grand Junction to Denver is the BEST!! I live about 90 miles north of GJ and take the train once a year or so. The sad part of SLC>GJ is it's a lot more in the dark. The California Zephyr puts the Sierra's and the Rockies in the daylight. Nevada and Nebraska in the dark......

Thanks again!!!
Kelvin

Kelvin,
I found a pulmonologist who has sleep apnea himself and so does his nurse. When I go over my concerns he is so much more understanding and competent because he has gone through it himself.
It would be difficult to call each doctor and ask them if they have sleep apnea but you might try social media such as Facebook. It worked for me.
Ed