New Sleep Doctor

For the past several months I have been looking for a new sleep doctor. If you have followed this blog, you know I was having many issues with the former doctor. I was looking for a couple of things in the new doctor. First I wanted a sleep/pulmonary doctor, who could also deal with my breathing-lung problems as evidenced in the CT scans I had done. I also wanted someone who could read the Smart Card in my sleep machine. this was the most difficult of the list to fulfill. In addition, of course, I needed a doctor who took my insurance.

I am happy to say I finally found such a doctor, (thanks to the help of Audrey). I had my first appointment yesterday. I went armed with my Smart Card, reports from my xrays and CT scans, copies of my blood work and information about my medical supplier.

The receptionist took my Smart Card and downloaded the information. She came back and told me I win the prize for the best report they have ever seen. She said my line was all green and green is good. (Later when the doctor showed me the report, green means I use the machine every night).

I had more paperwork to fill out, besides what I had already received in the mail and brought with me.

First I had to watch a short video of the doctor explaining what sleep apnea is. At first I thought this would be nothing I needed, but it was very informative and explained sleep apnea very clearly. I have to admit, after seeing it, I really did not understand it previously.

I was disappointed when the doctor came in, that she was not the doctor who I thought I was going to see. But this doctor was very nice, and very thorough. She questioned me in great detail. She answered all of my questions. She was knowledgeable.

When she took my blood pressure, it was 124/58 and she asked was the bottom number always so low. After about 40 minutes with me, she told me that I was to watch another video and she was going to consult with another doctor about my pulmonary issues and then return to discuss the plan of treatment.

The second video concerned treatment options for sleep apnea.I thought it was interesting that her first option was weight loss. She said, if this will not work for you, then there is surgery, which has a 50% success rate for curing sleep apnea, or using the machine, which has a 100% correction rate.

After the video, the doctor who I thought I was going to see in the first place returned with the other doctor. They spent another 40 minutes with me, discussing my case.

My first question was since seeing the video, I wondered having lost over 100 pounds already, did she foresee a point when I would have less severe sleep apnea or even not have it at all anymore.

She replied that she wants me to have another sleep test - this time a split night test. For the first part of the night I will sleep without a machine to see if I still need a machine. If I am still having apnea episodes, they will put me on the machine and monitor pressures to see if I can reduce the high pressures I am currently using. That will take place on October 20.

Another concern this will address, is the fact that it takes me so long to get to sleep, and once I wake up during the night, it takes me so long to get back to sleep. She thinks the pressure may be contributing to that.

She is reporting to my primary doctor that she would like another CT scan (he has to order that) to see if there have been additional changes to my lungs.

IN addition, I am having a series of breathing tests done on October 29th, to determine lung function and breathing capacity. My oxygen level yesterday was 96%, which she said at my age is good.

I will see her again in three weeks to go over all the results and hear her treatment plans.

I felt good about this visit. I felt like my concerns were heard. I felt like my needs were addressed. With this doctor, I am a more informed patient and can ask better questions. They gave me a lot of information I never had in the past.

Please continue to pray for me as I have these tests to give the doctors wisdom in making right choices for my treatment.