Low O2 while sleepy/before falling asleep?

[WildMtnHoney]

Has anyone else had this happen?

I woke up at my normal 5am-ish (yes, even though it's summer and I don't have to, sleep hygeine and all that) but around 7am I just COULD NOT keep my eyes open, head falling onto my chest...so I wondered back to bed. Now, out curiosity, I grabbed my pulse ox. Once it stabilized, it read 87 for O2, then meandered up to 89 by the time I thought to grab my cell phone and take a pic...then I grabbed by CPAP stuff but somehow fell asleep before getting it all on (woke up with it in my hands, though).

Once awake, my O2 has been in the low 90s. Of course I didn't record during that nap

Now I have a headache (duh, slept without CPAP).

In other news...I've been gone awhile. Hiya again!

[mandrew]

That is a dangerous O2 level, I suggest that you let your Dr. know about it right away.

[Julie]

Your awake 02 varies all day depending on your activity and a lot of other things... and has no bearing to speak of on your asleep 02.

And your fig. of 87 at one particular point is not 'dangerous'. Maybe don't randomly check your 02 like that - better to do it with some agenda, like every day at the same time following specific exercise, or else overnight with a proper overnight meter that gives you an 8 hr picture. Individual moments while awake or asleep (unless there is a real drop much below 88 overnight for more than a few seconds) tell you nothing - too many factors involved.

[Wulfman...]

I agree with Julie.
In addition, at what altitude do you live? If you live in the "mountains" (as your user name implies) and it's a higher altitude, that can make a difference.
But, in general, I think you're confusing different circumstances.......which can vary considerably.


Den

.

[jaw]

FYI: my normal O2 is 96, i can my breath to reach 84, my pre-CPAP minimum during titration was 77. I have not yet measured O2 after some forgetting.

Regards

[WildMtnHoney]

Thanks, all.

I don't live too high, just a bit higher than a mile (roughly), so 5500ft give or take. (I consider 10k "high", it's what I grew up at).

I do plan to let a Dr know, but I don't feel it's an "emergency" - my O2 went back up to 92 after the nap (I still had the meter on) so I think I'm alright.

Julie - it is a "proper" recording meter, I just didn't think to put into record today (same as I didn't quite get my CPAP on, I guess). Also, I do these "random" spot checks for a purpose: I have had fainting spells for quite awhile and we have been trying to figure out why, hence the checks (turns out I have dysautonomia, which may be related to my testing positive for an early Sjogren's Syndrome test, and I am also being tested for Antiphospholipid Syndrome, due to a blood clot, some "bright spots" in a brain MRI and episodes that may have been TIAs). Normally, I just put it on when I feel light headed, or after/during exercise, along with recording at night (although I've been steady at night for some time, so that's fallen to the wayside lately). For some reason it takes it a few moments to get a good, steady reading, then I either take a pic, or start recording. And this moment, again, was with the same agenda - I was feeling "off" and wanted to know if it was related -- of course I'm not sure (part of why I asked here).

Jaw - As for a "normal" O2 reading, mine is in the mid-90s. And I think you mean that you can hold your breath to get it that low? I've tried that, and I'm no good at it. I breath early. I can only seem to breath hold to 91ish. My pre-CPAP minimum, like your's, however, was also around 75.

[Julie]

What about your BP?

[WildMtnHoney]

Good question!

It's been running low for awhile, (low being less than 90/60) before the diagnosis. With the meds I'm on now it's running 100s/70s -ish most of the time. Of course I didn't think to check yesterday when I was drifting off to sleep but that morning it had been about that (98/70 - I usually track a morning and evening BP). This morning it's 97/74.

I did record my O2 last night -- all fine, nothing less than 91 and that was brief blips, mostly above 93.

[Wonderbrah]

Do you have any other medical conditions, COPD, Shortness of breath, emphysema? Do you smoke?

[WildMtnHoney]

No other health conditions that should cause a fall in O2.

Although, something is going on, and I'm following up with my cardiologist today. After that "normal" blood pressure this morning, I started feeling really "off". Rested, but that didn't help. Decided on a whim to take my vitals again. BP averaged 120/95 with a HR of 45bpm just a bit ago. My O2 is steady around 95/96. Cardiologist has been called, nurse thinks it may be the Propranolol working "too well" this morning, but he's going to call back in an hour and see how I am then, with a further game plan from Cardio, etc.

Thanks to everyone!