How much of an impact does sleeping upright have?

My sleep study reported that I have positional sleep apnea. It doesn't list the AHI in different positions but just mentions that changing it makes a difference. How much of an impact does it have for you? The interesting positions seem to be: side, stomach (face down somehow), and upright.

It would be useful to see how much difference is in each position; different for each of us.
I have events in any position where sleep is possible.

How much of an impact does sleeping upright have?

I don't recommend sleeping upright although I know one guy who does it.

You should sleep on your sides or stomach.

The summary of your sleep study will show your AHI in each position. But be careful because you have to consider the number of minutes slept in each position and in each sleep stage.

How each person reacts to position only applies to them. That is why we use correctly set APAPS to keep us at the pressure we need. Jim

Zero impact for me - my O2 levels still drop dramatically.

My sleep study didn't show my AHIs by postition. I used the sleep lab at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Boston around 2009. I have an overnight oximeter but it's really hard to get anything out of it. I get mostly hypopneas so all my data is just constantly noisy over the night. My heart rate constantly fluctuates but not out of bounds. My O2 is the same, typically +/- 95. The good news is there's no acute damage from these events. The bad news is, I've probably run more marathons in my sleep than most Olympic athletes and things start breaking after a while when the mileage gets to be very high.

I'm thinking of taking a trip out to Stanford and seeing what I get from their sleep lab and a consultation to see what they have to say. Thoughts?

A lot for me. Upright, I can go almighty at 94 to 97% O2 but it's got to be really upright like sitting down almost. From 90 deg being sitting, I'd probably be at 75 deg or so and it was just not comfortable enough for me however I'm still trying to work out the max angle I can reline and not have any apnea or desat. I went for about 3 hours the other night and finally through in the towel and went with the cpap. On my sides, I can go without apnea or desat all night but again I found it too uncomfortable. For me I just have to spend some time in the supine position. But, it's worth experimenting with as we Are all different.

I know I can fall asleep sitting on the couch watching tv and snore myself awake, while I rarely notice my snoring when I am in bed (but waking everybody else).

When I had my sleep study, I was told I could sleep in any position I wanted, except propped up on the headboard. I do tend to sleep slightly inclined as I have acid reflux. Also, if I have a cold or any asthma problems, I am much better sleeping upright. I still use my cpap machine. I just use a special stiff cushion to help prop me up better.

Sounds like they didn't give you the rest of the pages to your report. If the place is still in business, request the pages with the breakdowns, not just the single synopsis page that at times has been all my referring doctor received. You may get your question answered just by getting the copies. If they said your apnea is positional, unless they tested you sitting up, which is not routine procedure, that position is not a consideration in their statement. If you slept on your side and back during the study, it's probable your events are worse on your back.

"The summary of your sleep study will show your AHI in each position. But be careful because you have to consider the number of minutes slept in each position and in each sleep stage."

Excellent advice ChicagoGranny. Thanks for the reminder.

Interesting, an anesthesiologist that I spoke with my phone yesterday in preparation for my 3/6 surgery advised that and said nothing about sleeping on the side. I only have limited data due but it seems sleeping in an upright position hasn't made any difference in my case

I agree that CG provided excellent advice.

49er