Question:
Reason I ask: I fully well believe that I might have sleep troubles
(apnea) and plan to go to a doctor, yea, even a sleep specialist. But
I'm looking for techniques to recognize and deal with two kinds of
doctors I might encounter:
* those that would too quickly jump to the conclusion that a sleep
disorder is responsible for my problems
* those that would rebel against such a diagnosis because they see it
as a "fad" diagnosis.
Please read carefully. I NEVER said in this message it's "all in the
head" or "sleep apnea doesn't exist". Rather, I'm asking what
percautions should I take, such that I don't get falsely diagnosed
with apnea when it might be thyroid problem, the beginnings of
diabetes, depression, or something else; and, on the other hand, what
does it take to get an overly skeptical doctor to explore sleep
disorders as an option, and to refer me to the appropriate
specialists.
In other words, in your experience, how has the perception of sleep
disorders as something only recently publicized affect the doctor's
impartiality, and how does one deal with this?
Answer:
I have come across doctors that said sleep apnea did not exist
but finally found one that took it serious enought to sent me to a
specialist And now have been on CPAP for nearly 4 years and have got heaps of benifits
from it was unable to keep a job before they don't like it when you fall to sleep at
the desk but since about 1 month after CPAP have had a job.
Yes, I understand that. Read carefully. I didn't say "Well, I think
I kinda might have a problem but I don't plan to do anything, convince
me that I need to look out for my health." I said "I plan to do
something. What techniques do you use to recognize doctors that know
what's going on?"
I'm autistic (Asperger's) and I have a hard time figuring out when a
doctor knows what's going on, because there are all sorts of nonverbal
cues given in the diagnosis problem. I've festered with infections
gone wild, been dismissed as perfectly healthy in the midst of serious
depressive problems, and had other similar things happen to me, all
because I don't _emote_ and _nonverbally cue_ doctors the way they
expect from the typical patient.
SO, I'm honestly asking for a list of techniquest to tell whether the
doctors are too _quick_ or too _slow_ to settle on sleep disorders,
and things one can say to get them to shift gears. Or rapid ways to
recognize evasion in the specific case of sleep disorders. Are there
specific words that help when describing my problems, and specific
ways of explaining my difficulties that will mislead a doctor into
thinking "This man just saw too many paid television spots". Because
that _is_ how I first found out that it might describe what's wrong
with me, and there are doctors out there that pooh-pooh anything new
and unfamiliar that might explain a specific problem. I want to
explore it fully along with the possibility of thyroid problems which
are also hereditary in my family.
I've already gotten a few flame Emails saying "You're stalling, go get
diagnosed." But anyone who has lurked on this group for more than a
few days knows that it isn't just that easy. I _WANT_ CPAP if it will
help me, but I have another specific medical/psychological problem in
dealing with doctors (lack of facility in nonverbal communication) and
wanted some input.
My only problem was not stating it this clearly the first time around.
I hope this clears up the misconceptions about what I was asking.
Research is always a good start. Knowing you display symptoms that can
indicate a sleep disorder should convince a doctor that a referral to a
sleep clinic for assessment is worth exploring. If it doesn't, its a good
indicator to switch doctors.
The assessment at the clinic is unlikely to result in a "fad diagnosis" -
when you're wired to the sensors its difficult to manipulate results.
I doubt you will have problems, though. You are able to enunciate your
concerns clearly and have identified certain probabilities with similar
symptoms that should be ruled in or out - apnea, thyroid, diabetes,
depression.
The first three have simple tests for screening. Even if one is confirmed
the other two are still a possibility. Screening for all three should
occur - as well as looking for other possibilities. Lots of other internal
organs can cause similar problems and there are some nasty "invaders" out
there.
It is possible a doctor might want to eliminate certain possibilities first
before deciding on a sleep test. My concern would how much time would be
lost.
It is not unusual for depression to be associated with physical ailments.
Depending on how long it would take to get test results and start
treatment - assuming one or more physical problems show up -and how severe
the depression is it might be advisable to commence treatment for depression
right away.
If you are less articulate in a doctor's office than in email, write
everything out before you go. Include displayed symptoms, associated
ailments, questions and a statement about the level of involvement you
expect in planning your assessments and subsequent treatment.
