Choosing a sleep doc

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:37 pm

This is of course just my opinion and has been on my mind since I'm seeing a new doc next Wed;
Choose a doc that is either a specialist in sleep medicine or a doc who has done an extensive sleep training/fellowship. Most likely candidates are internists, neurologists, and pulmonologists (& pediatricians). Avoid someone who has done a week long continuing medical education workshop on sleep (in Hawaii-tax deductible) they are likely to be operating from a recipe book approach-not a broad knowledge of the sleep disorders and their management.
I prefer the sleep doc be a consultant to my regular MD for small/minor issues and see me once a year or for any major changes.
Hopefully you will have a choice of physicians and can interview before hiring. My primary doc has given the new sleep doc a small problem to work on so I can see how I like him and if I can work with him and if he will work with her. I don't want a "specialist" that won't work with my primary MD. If not I go back to Stanford for followup.

gaggy · Post by **gaggy** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:46 pm

Good advise. My cardiologist and lung specialist both recommended me to my sleep doctor at a sleep center not 10 minutes from work. I went to the lung doctor one day, they set up the appointment for the sleep dr the next day, and had a study the next day after the weekend. There was a cancellation of course. I had the split study and came home with rental equipment. My doctors have been wonderful. I did not know what to expect. Now I know. Better information helps your treatment.