Do Doctors Even Have Access to Flow Limits Info?

[paulag1955]

That's it, that's the question. In ResScan, can the doctors even see the same information on flow limits that we can see in OSCAR?

[SarcasticDave94]

I don't think the report is as detailed as Oscar. Second they likely don't care other than less than 5 AHI. Because by then you're well treated, shouldn't have a care about your health. We know that's bogus for some of us, there's other factors to be concerned over. But Dr. Dolittle is doing least possible to gain treated state. At least those are the doctors I've ran across. Lowest effort to get a treated grade.

[paulag1955]

I feel like "sleep doctor" must be the easiest path into a specialty field because I sure don't feel like, as a group, they actually care about the quality of people's sleep.

[Sleeprider]

Even if they could see it, would they recognize it's an issue? Sleep doctors are not trained to see anything useful in CPAP data other than AHI and hours of use. Most don't hang out here for enhanced practical therapy lessons. So the answer to your question is, even if they could see it, they wouldn't.

[SarcasticDave94]

It's probably what I'd call selective blindness. Some don't see CA as an issue so they more or less don't even look at them. Same thing with FL.

In my experience, sleep specialist translates to a doctor that has a few minutes of time set aside in a weekly schedule to make an extra paycheck doing minimal labor.

Wanted, sleep specialist

• Experience not required
  
• Condescending attitude a must
  
• Demand strict adherence to belief that AHI 5 means a miraculous cure
  
• Auto CPAP means no setting changes ever needed
  
• Proficient at ordering tests
  
• No proficiency needed in chart reading necessary
  
• Scheduling can be flexible
  

Base pay is $5,000 weekly
Bonus for more tests and repeat visits

[paulag1955]

I know when I told my sleep doctor that I was getting poor sleep with the machine, his answer was that I should ask my GP for sleeping pills. What the heck was that even about? I'm pretty sure the sleep lab technician would have been more helpful.

[Sleeprider]

Paula, the real answer is not to use a sleep specialist at all. Your GP should be able to handle any prescription needs and manage your ongoing therapy as a "treating physician". There is no requirement that your doctor be a sleep specialist, only that a doctor with accreditation sign and certify any diagnostic sleep report. Every other decision can be between you and your doctor.

[paulag1955]

In theory, yes, but in practice, we're limited by the operating dictates of Kaiser.

[SarcasticDave94]

I'll stay away from Kaiser. Sounds like they're run by the Kremlin, with the our way or no way.

[paulag1955]

It's the plan we get through my husband's work and despite the shortcomings, it's very good insurance. My husband has Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. He had a nephrectomy in September and our cost was $20. Each immunotherapy treatment he receives (every three weeks for a year) costs around $96,000 and our cost is $20 each time he goes in. I've whined and moaned about the way Kaiser operates in the past, but I'm feeling much more kindly disposed towards them right now. Their oncology department in Belleve, WA, is beyond fantastic.