my date is again changing:(

I just wanted to tell everyone that due to my sleep apnea test being positive I now have to have a pulmonary clearance. Well my pcp, **$$%%, wants me to have another test cpap, before getting pulmonary clearance. Dr. Duncans office called her to no avail So my surgery which is right now scheduled for Sept 19 will be changed again I haven't yet called yakima to rescedule. Because I filed an appeal and won I only have until Oct 31 to complete my surgery. Has anyone had to go through the pulmonary clearance and can tell me what to expect as far as a timeline? I have an appointment on the 26 of August with the pulmonary specialist. They say he will make me do some other testing. Let me know if possible anyone Nalani

Hi Nalani, I had to have a Pulmonary clearance but and I do not have sleep apnea but just assumed this was standard for Dr. Duncan patients. My Pulmonologist had me do a breathing test - it is no big deal really,it takes about 30 mins and it is painless. Then I had to do a blood gas test this is a bit painful but only for about 30 seconds, they take blood out of your aritery. Then he also had me do an echocardiogram, that is painless too and like an ultrasound when you are pregnant, he had me do this because I have a history of some swelling in my ankles. All test were fine. I had already had a stress test with all the pics of my heart but he wanted the echo also (it gives different info). This all took two vistis. Good luck, I am sure once you have your initial appt and let them know of your urgency they will work with you on getting the test scheduled timely. je

My Pulomonary clearance went like this: Doc: "You have apnea because you are obese." Me: "Yup." Doc: "So, if you get this surgery, it will help with the obesity?" Me: "Yup." Doc: "So then get the surgery and it will help with the apnea too." Me: "Okey Dokey." Doc: "Pay the co-pay on the way out and get your hand off of me knee." Well that's about it. Oh and I breathed into a machine for 60 seconds to see if I had the lung capacity to handle the surgery or something.

Wow Derrick, I should have gone to your Pulmonologist, I do not know why but I seem to get the very very thorough Doc's. I had every test known to man before my surgery!!! Maybe I just have good insurance, hmmm...... Of course the bills for the surgery are just now rolling in so we will see about that. je

THAT IS THE WAY MY PULMONARY CONSULT WENT TOO EXCEPT THE KNEE PART I WAS ASKING HIM TO PLEASE PUT HIS HAND BACK ON MY KNEE LOL BUT HE IS 100 PERCENT BEHIND ME HE IS DR WEINER WITH GWINNETT CLINIC MAYBE THEY WILL LET U USE HIM GOOD LUCK LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS THEY WILL RUSH YOU THROUGH IF U TELL THEM LOVE CANDY

Hey, Nalani. I don't know what pulmonologist you're going to, but I saw Dr. Settle with Emory Healthcare. He was recommended by my surgeon, Dr. Scarborough, and was in the same building. He listened to my lungs, told me I didn't look like I needed to have surgery, and sent me over to Emory-Adventist Hospital for what I think was called a spirometer test. Basically, I had to blow as hard as I could into some little machine. No needles, nothing painful. I had to update my clearance last month, and he basically looked at my chest xray, listened to my lungs, and said "You're pretty persistant, aren't you?". He's right - I am, and you will be, too. Sorry your date has been changed, but hang in there. Barb in S. GA

Thanks to all of you. I sure hope mine is quick and easy too I did call and reschedule surgery for Oct 12. So that should give me enough time. I can only press the time on them and pray Nalani