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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 Martin G. Arnowitz on
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my physician is bd certified pulmonologist, also bd certified "sleep [something or other]."
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Permalink Reply by Marie Davis on
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A local sleep study institute in your city may have alll the answers and followup care you need. AND their appointments usually cost less than seeing a specialist that doesn't specialize in sleep. Try that in your local area.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Hargett on
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During my time of "sleep apathy" when I was sleepy and fatigued but had no idea I had a serious health disorder, I chanced to read an article about sleep apnea that featured the name of a pulmonologist, who was also a board certified sleep specialist. About 9 months later (remember I called it "sleep apathy" because I was too darn tired to do anything about it!) I heard him give a public talk and answer questions. I then made an appointment direct, because I did not have a primary care physician at the time, as my PCP had moved to a new location. I wound up paying for that first appointment with my sleep doc out-of-pocket since I didn't' have a referral, but it was some of the best medical expense I've ever had!
Shortly after I was diagnosed I did find a new Primary physician, in family practice, whose office claimed he did know something about sleep apnea (this was back in 1995). Along the way I've "trained" him well and I know that he has referred other patients for sleep studies. He almost always has a medical student sometime during the year and will send them in to see me when I show up for an exam, directing them to "ask Dave about sleep apnea before you begin your exam!"
However, because he knows I'm knowledgeable about my apnea and my treatment and that I have a sleep specialist, he rarely asks me about my apnea. On the other hand, he knows that I would bring it up if I had an issue and wanted his help.
Virtually any type of medical doctor can undergo training, pass the tests and be certified as a "sleep specialist". I've known neurologists, pulmonologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, family practice and internists who have all gotten interested in sleep medicine and gone on to be board certified. By the way, the "father of Sleep Medicine", Dr. William Dement, started out as a pyschiatrist interested in dreams.
My personal recommendation to patients in my support groups is that if you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you should enlist a sleep specialist as part of your medical team, just as you have a specialist if you have heart disease or diabetes or another complicated medical issue. Primary physicians just don't get sufficient medical training in sleep medicine (usually less than 2 hours in all 4 years of Medical school!) to be knowledgeable and helpful. Often the greatest thing they can do is to recognize that there is a problem and refer you to a sleep specialist.
Dave
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Limbach on
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My kids have a team of Dr's. that help them. Their sleep specialist is head of the department and founder at Stanford along with a surgeon and an orthodontist.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on
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After reviewing the local yellow pages, I found a neurological consulting group which indicated a specialty in sleep medicine. They also advertised their own sleep lab. I made an appointment and went in for the pre-exam. Nine (9) days later I had the sleep study. With all the studying I did for this test, I flunked it with flying colors. When I was awakened from the first decent night's sleep in years, I wanted that machine. My return visit for the official results provided the sleep study on paper and the desired script. The hardest thing I found was not a single DME in a 50-mile radius stocked a single CPAP machine. They all were more than willing to order me the model I desired and said it would take 5-7 business days to get it in and another couple of days to set it up. Extending my search radius, I drove 70 miles to find a DME that stocked machines. You could tell this DME’s primary allegiance to a manufacture as they tried to push their model upon me. Thru preliminary research, I had decided I wanted a ResMed unit, period. They finally brought me the desired unit programmed and ready to go. I have not looked back with my decision. It is a good unit.
I did learn through this experience you, the patient, need to research your doctor; the lab, especially if it is operated by the doctor or group; the DME, as well all your choices. MAKE SURE THEY ARE ACCREDITTED & PRICE SHOP THEM ALL. You will appreciate this fact later on. There are unscrupulous “professionals” in every field.
Make sure you get a full and complete hard copy of the study and make a copy of your script for your records.
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My kids have a team of Dr's. that help them. Their sleep specialist is head of the department and founder at Stanford along with a surgeon and an orthodontist. They were referred by my dentist
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Frederic on
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I go to a pulmonologists who was the mentor of my primary care doctor. He's also treating me for my asthma.
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Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on
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I've seen good & bad from the disciplines of pulmonology, psychiatry, neurology, internal medicine, & even anesthesiologists. SOME good sleep docs run sleep labs, but that's not conclusive. Physicians who have published in peer reviewed sleep journals are a good bet. As a rule, board certified in sleep is a good indication. The best I've seen were dual boarded in pulmonology & sleep, or in neurology & sleep.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon Osmond on
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We don't have any specialist sleep doctor in our city. I read the posts here and told my specialist physician that I needed a reassessment. My sleepover results went to Sydney for analysis, but now I have to wait for an appointment to see my specialist physician to know the results. No "hurry" appears on the horizon. Next time I will tell my GP to prescribe a sleepover. The results will be easier to obtain.
Thanks for all your help. I read all of your posts with interest.
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Bozard on
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My primary physician sent me to a pulmonologists.and he is the one that gave me the cpcp and I have go up to a 15 pressure
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I actually go to a pulmonologist. I work at Massachusetts General Hospital and that is who was recommended to me.
A lot of pulmonologists specialize in Sleep Apnea. That's who I would seek out.
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Permalink Reply by TrinaLynn Blair on
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I go to my Pulmonologist that also helps me care for my Asthma.
Be Blessed
Blessings, TrinaLynn
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