Good places for a sleep study around San Jose?

U

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First, some background:

I've always snored, but in the past week or so, I think I'm starting to have some OSA. I'll awake (or not be able to fall asleep, if I'm awake but trying to go to sleep) with what feels like I was starting to snore, but it's more than that.

I've gained a lot of weight in the last year due to a very stressful job that keeps me sitting behind a desk all the time, and to be honest, I've gotten very lazy once I get home with respect to diet and exercise. Something I am definitely going to correct, but obviously won't see results overnight.

Long story short, I think it's time for a sleep study. As much as I would dread having to wear a CPAP, if that's what's needed to help, then so be it.

I don't have a family doctor nor general practitioner. I've always been the kind to go to specialists when I needed them.

So...I'm looking for a good place I can go for a sleep study in the San Jose, CA area, or anywhere in the general Bay Area? Preferably one that's aware of FAA rules around this kind of thing, because I want to start going for my PPL in the next few months and don't want any "gotchas" (like a doc prescribing some kind of medication that would kill my chances of getting a third class medical).

Also, it would be nice to find a place with the actual sleep doctors onsite to review results with, and talk to, rather than just techs who have to send the results off and you don't hear anything back for weeks.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated, and thanks!
 
If you don't want any gotchas...go get your medical NOW before you go get an official diagnosis! There is no harm in getting a medical well before you start training.

If you do end up with an OSA sleep diagnosis, you would have several years to get treated, possibly loose weight and get free of OSA if it is a weight related issue before your next medical.

I know others that will disagree with me, but I have both the FAA medical and DOT medical for a commercial drivers license and I feel and have seen that both processes actually discourage the seeking of treatment by pilots and drivers for a variety of issues because of all the red tape if you do get a diagnosis!

...but it makes us all safer!
 
just as an FYI… the stress of untreated sleep apnea can in and of itself cause a major weight gain.. things just snowball… The job may or may not be a factor…
 
Shawn said:
...I know others that will disagree with me, but I have both the FAA medical and DOT medical for a commercial drivers license and I feel and have seen that both processes actually discourage the seeking of treatment by pilots and drivers for a variety of issues because of all the red tape if you do get a diagnosis!

...but it makes us all safer!
Click to expand...

In case anyone hasn't seen it, I have a poll open on that very subject:

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67412
 
To the O/P you may want to email Dr. Bruce Chien for a consult. Aeromedicaldoc@comcast.net I believe.

About a month ago he would have probably posted a response, but some folks here were being nasty to him and he's taking a leave from this board.
 
Thanks for the responses, everybody.

In doing more research on these boards, I read several threads about the SI of a third class medical involving sleep apnea, where the good Dr. mentioned four things that have to appear for the SI to get issued.

They all made sense except for one - "no overt right heart failure on exam". I probably need to email him about this one, but that sounds scary!

Yes, I know OSA is bad, and probably something I should have had checked out years ago when I thought it was just snoring. But is this "right heart failure" something's that permanent? Or is it something that's detected while OSA events are actually going on, but then "go away" once treated?

I noticed the Dr. has been absent for a while, figured he was taking a break. I think I'll email him once I've done some more research.

In an effort to get a better night's sleep last night, I used some OTC "snore spray" that I saw in the drug store. I guess it's supposed to open the airway more, but who knows. It's certainly not a permanent solution, but hopefully will at least let me get a more restful night sleep while I pursue getting it checked out.

Thanks!
 
Unregistered said:
First, some background:

I've always snored, but in the past week or so, I think I'm starting to have some OSA. I'll awake (or not be able to fall asleep, if I'm awake but trying to go to sleep) with what feels like I was starting to snore, but it's more than that.

I've gained a lot of weight in the last year due to a very stressful job that keeps me sitting behind a desk all the time, and to be honest, I've gotten very lazy once I get home with respect to diet and exercise. Something I am definitely going to correct, but obviously won't see results overnight.

Long story short, I think it's time for a sleep study. As much as I would dread having to wear a CPAP, if that's what's needed to help, then so be it.

I don't have a family doctor nor general practitioner. I've always been the kind to go to specialists when I needed them.

So...I'm looking for a good place I can go for a sleep study in the San Jose, CA area, or anywhere in the general Bay Area? Preferably one that's aware of FAA rules around this kind of thing, because I want to start going for my PPL in the next few months and don't want any "gotchas" (like a doc prescribing some kind of medication that would kill my chances of getting a third class medical).

Also, it would be nice to find a place with the actual sleep doctors onsite to review results with, and talk to, rather than just techs who have to send the results off and you don't hear anything back for weeks.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated, and thanks!
Click to expand...

The Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic was the first sleep clinic in the world and has done a good deal of important research in sleep apnea and sleep medicine. I think they moved from the Stanford campus to the Stanford outpatient medical facility just off the 101 in Redwood City a few years ago. I suspect they'd be a good option (though not necessarily the cheapest). They might demand a referral before they'll see you though.
 
Shawn said:
If you don't want any gotchas...go get your medical NOW before you go get an official diagnosis! There is no harm in getting a medical well before you start training.
....
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

Get your medical BEFORE you go on record with possible OSA! Save yourself a lot aggravation. Jumping through the regular hoops for OSA plus the FAA hoops is more fun than you probably want to have all at once.

After you have your medical, the very next day tell the MD of your choice that you suspect OSA because [fill in this blank].

I began losing weight within two weeks of starting CPAP therapy, and felt a lot better.
 
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