It's ok to say No to your doctor

 I did a “take home” sleep study test to determine if I had sleep apnea because my doctor was trying to discover the cause of my migraines several years ago & I was skeptical but I went ahead & did it anyway. The test required me to sleep in an unnatural position, on my back which in not normal for me, as I’m a side sleeper and the results were mild to moderate 40% sleep apnea but I only slept 4hrs, so this is what they based putting that diagnosis in my record on.

So nothing was done about it & I blew it off & said I don’t buy it anyway. That was 2018, fast-forward 2021 my cardiologist is bringing up that “sleep apnea” diagnosis as a reason for problems with my current issues with “POTS”, so I say hey, that test was bullshit, he says well maybe you should re-do it & see a sleep doctor so I do it over & guess what?🤔 this one shows No sleep apnea. The sleep specialist explains the more advanced test doesn't require sleeping on my back so its more accurate & natural and then when discussing results he says,” if you really want to be sure you can do the study in the lab.” 🙄 “I said, No, I am sure, I was sure the first time that your test was wrong & simply came to prove with this second one that I was right to begin with-that I don’t have sleep apnea. I don’t need a third test to convince You of anything! Im satisfied, now take it out of my chart.”

I told him going in the bottom line is this, even if I had it I’m not the type to wear anything on my face at night when I sleep so cpap is out, surgery is out, only a mouth guard would be an option & that’s not a good option for mild so I knew where I stood going in & didn’t waiver. Knowing your bottom line helps. Be your own advocate in your personal healthcare, your doctor works for you. Not the other way around, he may have the medical knowledge but you have the knowledge of what you want to live with or without in life to be comfortable. If a doctor doesn't respect your views, it's time to get a new doctor.