Sleep test results?

I just had a sleep apnea test.  My doctor said when I slept on my back I stopped breathing...I stopped breathing 238 times in one sleep session.  I only slept for 3 1/2 hours.  When I was on my side I was OK.  The problem is I sleep most of the time on my back.  My doctor had me to order a device that keeps me on my side I haven't got it at the present time. I am scared with everything else that is going on with me.  Any personal or professional help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Dee52

[KatEyes]

Just a couple thoughts about your study results - get a copy of your full results with all the details (you have a right to your medical records). How much time did you sleep on your side during the study? Did you have no apneas on your side or not a lot? If you were on your back the majority of the time, I'd be concerned if there was enough data to be sure you are ok on your side. There are people who do have positional apnea but most have some apneas on their side still. Best to be sure.

Another thing to consider - if you are a habitual back sleeper, how much is side sleeping going to disrupt your ability to sleep comfortably? If you were to decide sleeping on your back is important to you, you could use a cpap machine set at a pressure that would stop the apneas even on your back.

Until you get the device to keep you off your back, take measures yourself to make that happen. Elevating the head of the bed could help too. You don't say what other things are going on with you but you are right to be concerned about this. There are health consequences of untreated apnea.

[Dee52]

Thank you for your information.  I don't know very much about sleep apnea.  I only slept 3 1/2 hours during the study.  My doctor said and I quote"now you wouldn't want to sleep with one of those big machines so we are going to try to keep you off your back".  I will do more research to see what I am up against.  I do know my heart rate resting is 112 as before it was 60...I'm not sure if sleep apnea would cause this or not.  Like tonight I went to sleep for one hour and woke up because I couldn't breathe.  I will ask for a copy of my test results.  I don't see how he could of got a full study sleeping on my side.
I know he said the test was measured from 1-10 and on my back was very bad it was 9.8 that sounds like 10 to me!
I didn't realize about other health consequences of untreated apnea.  God knows I don't think I can handle anything else.
Take care...I'll send you a post when I get my records.
Dee

[idesofmarch]

Sleep apnea does cause your blood pressure and pulse to rise because your heart works harder to get blood to it when you're not breathing.  That dr. sounds like a quack. You could stay on your side all night and not sleep a wink if you're not comfortable.  You should tape a tennis ball or object to the back of your pj top for now.  When you start to turn over you will feel that discomfort and turn back to your side.  OR you may take the item off in your sleepiness and sufficate on your back.  Hope you get a second opinion and test.  I use a C-pap and even though it is a pain to wear, I feel safe and better than without it on.

[Dee52]

Thank you so much for the information...I really had no clue it was that dangerous.  I still haven't received the device to strap on my waist with the buldge to help me from sleeping on my back.  I am so upset with the doctor to just act like it was nothing serious...and he didn't explain the sleep apnea to me.  I agree with you he sounds like a quack.  Until I started reading some post and doing some research I didn't think it was serious  I will try anything to get a good night sleep.  I'm going to tape the tennis ball to the back of my pj's.  I truly thank you for all the information you gave me.
God Bless ,
Dee