From CpapWiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Getting Into A Sleep Specialist

Broom.png This article may require cleanup to meet the CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but I'm going to mention this anyway just in case someone out there needs this info.

Anyone who has been into see a sleep specialist / neurologist as a new patient and then has booked a night at a sleep lab knows all too well how even in first rate medical cities (ie. Boston; Philly; Cleveland) it can easily take 1-3 months to get an appointment with a good Neurologist / Sleep Specialist. And then you're at the back of the line again to get into a sleep lab. AND THEN you're at the back of the line AGAIN to get back into see your Neurologist for the results of the sleep study. And if your results are inconclusive as they often are, add another 1-3 months for a repeat night at a sleep lab etc etc. When you're suffering from Sleep Apnea, nothing is more painfull than knowing it might take 6-8 months to finally be treated for the disorder.

So here are my tactics for getting into Sleep Specialist, Sleep Lab, and most importantly getting treatment ASAP or well within 6-12 weeks.

1. After you book your first appointment with your Neurologist / Sleep Specialist, call the scheduling desk and quickly convey that you are available on short notice if anyone else should cancel their appointment. If they say they have a long list, then pull out the "friendliness card" and make sure you're well known to the office staff.

2. After your first night at the sleep lab is booked, get on the phone to the sleep lab and do the exact same thing. Sleep Labs bill $1,000-$4,000/night so they are always eager to book empty beds, and people cancel their sleep lab nights left and right.

3. After your night in the sleep lab, you have no choice but to wait for your results to be compiled and sent to your neurologist. But once you're able to get into see your Neurologist for follow up, get on the phone and request that the office call you for cancelled appointments.

Hope this helps! I've been into 5 sleep studies and this always works for me.