Sleep Disorders program Ubc Hospital

The Sleep Disorders psychiatrist had nothing to offer that would help; moreover, the doctor seemed oblivious to the severity of insomnia and advised more willpower and discipline to regulate circadian rhythms. She didn't have any treatment or solutions, and gave 'pat' answers to serious questions. This psychiatrist has no expertise or any real answers. Meeting with her was a complete waste of time. Her concern was wafer thin, and what she said were mere platitudes: to quote her, she gave a 'pep talk'. If only a pep talk would have helped my sleep disorder, I would never have sought a medical professional who purported to have tested treatments for insomnia.

Great staff

I was pleasantly surprised by how useful my visit here was. The Doc was very thorough and helpful. Glad I went.

After almost a decade and a half of suffering from chronic insomnia, I was so grateful to finally be referred to a proper sleep clinic (after being ignored by doctors for all those years). At the end of my sleep testing and unsuccessful CPAP trial, Comey agreed my issue did not fit the normal apnea presentation, acknowledged I was not losing oxygen while sleeping but was getting zero deep sleep. No big deal. Comey offered me no further testing, treatment or support suggestions/references. I pleaded for him to look deeper, or do more testing. In the end, he sent me on my way as if my issue was a nuisance to him, because, you know, it wasn't one of the two sleep disorders that he treats. This behaviour alone is a violation of the current Code of Ethics and Professionalism. I had already developed mild distonia and blepharospasm from long term use of Seroquel, which was negligently prescribed based on a bipolar misdiagnosis (a very common thing these days, a perspective my current, reputable neuropsychiatrist concurs with), and so was in a desperate situation where I needed some answers and proper support, but could no longer rely on the toxic meds prescribed like candy in this twisted medical system (already did the fun benzo addiction and withdrawal thing too, although it wasn't technically an "addiction" because it was doctor-prescribed!). My mother, who has been my advocate dealing with the hubris and ignorance of paternalistic doctors like Comey all these years, and just wants to see me get better, had a nervous breakdown soon after this. Believe me when I say having our last hope dashed by this doctor was absolutely related, if not the main cause. That was 2017. This year, after working with one of the few actually competent and compassionate doctors I've met in my life, I had an MRI and SPECT scan done that has revealed I was born with an occluded internal carotid artery, and suffer from a mild congenital brain injury. Both my current neuropsychiatrist and neurologist are shocked I wasn't given an MRI earlier. While I feel this corrupt, profit-driven medical system has failed me in so many ways, and left my body and my family seriously injured, physically and emotionally, Comey specifically should have listened to my concerns and looked deeper as I asked him to, given the prevalence of structural issues that can cause insomnia. Instead, because I did not suffer from apnea or restless leg syndrome, I was sent on my way after years of suffering, only to have things worsen before getting real answers. This man is a joke of a doctor, and this clinic is a sorry excuse for a sleep clinic. And if the current legal system wasn't pay-to-play and basically only for the rich, I would absolutely sue this man for medical negligence. If he does not do everything in his power to get to the bottom of your issue (ordering an MRI, for example, though SPECT scan is even better), and sends you on your way without any suggestions for further treatment or help, take note, that's a violation of the current CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism.

I spent over a year trying to get help. I got to the stage of taking home a CPAP machine, finding that it works wonders and then discovering that they never did any of the required testing that would provide the data necessary for my health benefits to cover the cost of the $2G+ machine. I was told by the CPAP clinic that I need to start over and get another referral for an overnight study, with a several month wait for the Initial appointment. There is notably not enough front end staff, everyone is frantic and exhausted. They seem to have an ongoing battle with the records department, neither wants to take ownership of the sleep study records. It seems like both avoid dealing with that end of it, documents can take 2 months to be mailed out. They don't care to liaise with CPAP clinics either. I had to physically go to UBC to get the documentation twice, just to find out that it's not what I need, both times. Transit is so fun. I bought a second hand CPAP machine, the CPAP clinic I went to for 3 months gets nothing out of the deal, everyone loses, would not recommend to anyone.

My rating is based on my experience speaking with an uninformed and inexperienced mental health doctor, Gurrinder Grewal, who was over-confident in the limited knowledge that he has and dismissive of my experience. After more than an hour of asking me questions he started to invalidate what I had shared with him, which made me feel unheard, vulnerable, and regret having sat through the interview. Luckily, I have been able to find help for my sleep issues from experienced doctors that I can trust and have already seen a huge improvement. I would not recommend the Sleep Disorder Program based on this experience.

They missed the first phone appointment after I waited 3 months. Booked another one and it took another 2 months. Dr Fleetham initially mentioned possible narcolepsy. I haven’t been awake for more than 8 hours a day without aid of a friends Dexedrine. It’s been like this for a year now. He knew this. We did a sleep study. I left with no treatment or answers and was told to wait 2 months for a call. He called this morning and said nothing was wrong. It was a two minute phone call. He said he’d send his report to my doctors and wished me the best, and he hung up. I will lose my job without help. It takes a year to get an appointment here, and if you don’t have some seriously intense symptoms on that night, your file is closed. I feel completely lost. I needed help. I don’t know where they want you to go after this. Please don’t go here. Ask your doctor for somewhere else. It is harrowing to realize after a year of waiting you are still alone.

It’s hard to describe just how infuriating dealing with this program has been. Doctors forgetting/missing appointments leading to months of delayed progress, brisk phone calls that lack important details, and some (not all) staff that often seem unable to recognize what kind of impact their incredible lack of humanity has. The process from referral to obtaining some answer has taken a year, and not a single interaction with this program could be described as pleasant. I understand this isn’t an experience that can or should be compared to many jobs in the service industry — I’ve dealt with health services in the past, anyone else that has been to a hospital emergency intake or tried to deal with busy health clinics likely has had the same kind of experience I was expecting. Yet somehow, even with the bar being on the floor, I was disappointed and upset at every turn. It is difficult to find the words to accurately and at least semi-professionally explain the degree of frustration I feel because of this place. If you have the option of avoiding this program, as a patient, I would encourage it. I’m not sure what your other options may be, and I’m not sure if they would be any better — but I honestly believe they could not be worse. Good luck, to everyone out there who is looking for help and support with their sleep-related issues.