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What Kind of Doctor Do You All Use?
There's a wide variety of different types of physicians out there who will treat Sleep Apnea. I go to a "Sleep Specialist," but I'm not sure how common that is. I hear some people go to pulmonologists, others to ENTs, some to dentists, some to primary care physicians, etc.
Who do you use and how did you wind up there?
Who do you use and how did you wind up there?
Views: 130
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I used my family doctor -- a primary care physician. I talked to her about a study she set up, etc. I know a sleep doctor read the reports and sent them to her -- but I never saw the sleep doctor.
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Permalink Reply by Melba Cooper on
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I go to a husband and wife team who are both cardiologist and pulmonologist. They operate a sleep clinic in my small town. I am amazed at the quality, caring and service. My internist determined that I needed to have a diagnosis and referred me. Thanks God. melba
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I went to a pulmonologist to see about a persistant lung condition. She never gave me a diagnosis regarding my lungs, but immediately suggested I have a sleep study. She is busy, I have to wait 4 months for a follow-up appointment.Recently, I have concerns that she may not be experienced in sleep medicine. My apnea machine is ResMed 8 Elite 11, she has never had the DME run the softwear data. I have had them run it for me. and I follow the LCD data.
Shortly before I started on Cpap, she said, I may change you to Bi-Level. Each time I see her, she mentions it, but is resistant to my questioning. I started Medicare in December, I recently read that unless changes are made in the first 60 days, Medicare is resistant to change in apnea equipment. I'm considering either a second opinion from a Sleep Certified Doctor, or a get a new doctor. Ruth.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Ruth, sounds like you're not getting adequate care from your existing doctor. i'd change it up. as you describe her, she has some vague notion that she might want to switch you to BiPAP, but does not know why, or when... sounds fishy.
Ruth Rayceen said:I went to a pulmonologist to see about a persistant lung condition. She never gave me a diagnosis regarding my lungs, but immediately suggested I have a sleep study. She is busy, I have to wait 4 months for a follow-up appointment.Recently, I have concerns that she may not be experienced in sleep medicine. My apnea machine is ResMed 8 Elite 11, she has never had the DME run the softwear data. I have had them run it for me. and I follow the LCD data.
Shortly before I started on Cpap, she said, I may change you to Bi-Level. Each time I see her, she mentions it, but is resistant to my questioning. I started Medicare in December, I recently read that unless changes are made in the first 60 days, Medicare is resistant to change in apnea equipment. I'm considering either a second opinion from a Sleep Certified Doctor, or a get a new doctor. Ruth.
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Pulmonologist. That's who my neurologist told me handled OSA.
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my primary care doctor refered me for sleep studies both referals for sleep studies were run by neurologist. The initial study was very professionaland well done. The second study never meet the doctor and they correctly diagonse my pressure increase but the personal and the whole set up was really bad. I filed a complaint with the doctor and they never bothered to reply or send me bill.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Donaldson on
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Mine was a neurologist, but he specialized in sleep disorders.
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My sleep doctor is a neurologist. He has a sleep lab in his office with two bedrooms.
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Permalink Reply by Banyon on
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What type? So far, could only find the less-than-competent type. :):):)
Seriously, I go to a sleep specialist who is also board-certified in neurology.
The previous doc was a sleep specialist who was also board-certified in neurology and in psychiatry.
I recommend against a doc board-certified in psychiatry. Instead of working with me to find my optimum pressure and get my AHI down, all that doc wanted to do was prescribed sleeping pills, sedatives, and anti-depresssants. What a waste!
If your problem is strictly obstructive sleep apnea, I would recommend a pulmonologist. They seem more likely to understand that it is just a mechanical problem with your airway closing and will not want to "fix" your brain the way neurologists and psychiatrists do.
But that is just my opinion based on limited experience.
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Permalink Reply by Karel McKinney on
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My Internets sent me to a Sleep Specialist who ordered my sleep study.
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After many years of reporting excessive daytime sleepiness, I was referred to a sleep specialist at a hospital. He was not very good; the nurse practitioner in the group was much better. I was diagnosed with UARS, but there was no interest in further evaluating my airway. I finally persuaded him to send me to an ENT who referred me to a sleep dentist. The sleep dentist recommended an MAD...it did the job from the beginning. So, I think the dentist will be my primary sleep specialist from this point forward.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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At one of the labs I work at we have 2 physicians. Both are "Sleep Ambassadors" or sleep specialist, At the other we have 5 which are all pulmonologist. I think that as this industry evolves we are going to see more pcp specialising in sleep. At the 2 doc lab we already have quite a few pcp who come in to the lab to read their own studies.
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