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Clueless about Sleep Apnea
I was diagnosed in November 2008, We are retired Military so all our Medical goes thru the Military clinics. My primary doctor is a PA. Which from the beginning I knew she was not very knowledgable. She sent me to a sleep clinic which was fine and was diagnosed and set up with a CPAP machine. But that is as far as it got. I haven't had any follow ups. I don't see a pulmonologist or a neurologist or any other specialist. I didn't even see a sleep doctor when I took the sleep study. I am doing fine using the machine but I am starting to be sleepy during the day. I also have some questions that I would like answered but don't know how to go about requesting a specialist. Please any feed back would be very welcome
Views: 42
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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would you be willing to pay out of pocket for a specialist? if so, you can see anyone you'd like whenever you'd like.
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Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on
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Yes, it is best to have a sleep specialist. Just ask your PA to refer you to a specialist which your Medical will pay for. 20% of my labs payer mix is Medical and they all see a sleep specialist to review their results with them as well as follow-up visits.
Most Family Practice physicians/PAs/FNPs will admit they've had about 30 minutes of class time on Sleep Disorders.
If you're starting to become sleepy during the day then there is a problem. Ideally you should be re-evaluated since your prescription may have changed. (any 10lb weight gain or loss?) This can be done by having another overnight study. Another option is to request a 5-7 day AutoTitrating home test where you just wear CPAP as usual at home and the unit automatically adjusts to you. (these are accurate and cheap compared to another overnight study...insurances love 'em!)
You might also have another problem causing CPAP to not be as effective as it used to be. Are you mouthleaking? (dry mouth in the AM or better yet, a witness) If so check your heated humidity or increase HH if you are already using. Change to a Full Face Mask. Use a Chinstrap. Check for holes in your tubing.
Maybe congestion is a problem. Heated humidity will help this as well. So will a Full Face Mask. You can try a saline nasal spray or a steroidal nasal spray like rhinocort, flonase, nasonex etc...
Hopefully this helps.
Jason
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Permalink Reply by Remy Thierry on
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It's not a good thing if you get sleepy in daytime. Maybe the pressure from CPAP has changed or you have some leaks.
I know that you have some questions about sleep apnea. Check this site www.sleep-apnea-guide.com and maybe you will find the answer that you're looking for. It's not much, but It's something.
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Permalink Reply by David Colard on
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Jason's comments are excellent. I have been on CPAP for 7 years, should have been sooner. I ended up buying a heated humidifier myself, as well as trying multiple masks before getting one I liked. Mouth leaks continue to be my biggest problem. I've continued to see a sleep specialist at least annually. She treats my allergies and asthma very aggressively, which seems to have cut down on the mouth leak problem. I've never found a chin strap I like. I am a natural mouth breather, and can only breath through my nose while on CPAP.
Dave
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