Hi,
I am a 28 year old male who was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2005. I have been utilizing my CPAP treatment since my diagnosis and until this year, when I moved and began seeing a new doctor, I have had my machine on automatic titration. My new doctor said that this was not a good thing and I went through a titration study. My machine is now set to a setting of 9.
Previously, when my machine was on automatic, my machine was exerting pressures to 22 at certain points in time throughout the night.
Sometimes when I fall asleep, and sometimes when I am a few hours into sleep, I am awakened by a "thud" that feels as though my body has shut down entirely and my heart has stopped. It is the most frightening thing I have EVER experienced and it takes an almost sleepless night to finally fall asleep. I will use a Pure Sleep oral device in conjunction with my CPAP to finally fall, and/or fall back asleep...without it I feel my throat close over. I mentioned this to my new doctor's office and was given a chin strap. Upon returning, he convinced me that it was due to my manibular position and anxiety, and that I was probably not wearing my chin strap every night. I am now experiencing these extremely frightening problem with the chin strap on each time, and when I feel cool as clyde while falling asleep...so I know that it is not the problem.
Do I need another study? What type? What are your thoughts regarding automatic titration vs. setting the titration to a constant setting? Do some people require oral devices in conjunction with CPAP treatment?
Thank you for your opinion.