pulse oximeter

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:08 pm

Can apulse oximeter be rented? Is there one that will store data from the evening?

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:36 pm

Sure can! My doc ordered one. The DME brought it out the next day. I slept with it for 2 or 3 nights. The DME picked it up. They faxed a report to the Doc the same day. One of the more pleasant DME experiences I have had.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:42 pm

Hi Sleepless

The POs that record nightly events are called 'Recording Pulse Oximeters' & there are small portable units (palm sized) that do this plus larger hospital style units.

All rentable.

I bought a cheap unit from eBay (An Ohmeda 3740) complete with extension cable & probe, for under $200. It has worked very well for me. I did write a program to turn the data from the PO into input suitable for an XL spreadsheet.

I know several other regulars who have paid up to $400 for more modern units such as the Nelcor N395 etc: & they download their nightly data when they want (again I think they purchased software to do this).

The renting option is by far the easiest route

Good luck

DSM

RestlessRoper · Post by **RestlessRoper** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:41 am

I don't have a smart card or software (yet anyway) but I assume this program is separate from the smart card software.

Do many people have an oxygen level problem?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:03 am

Yep, there are several in the forum who have oxygen problems. I have COPD altho so far they are of the opinion that I don't need supplemental 02 WITH my CPAP. I was on 2L of 02 overnight prior to starting CPAP therapy.

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:21 pm

I just wanted to be able to track my oxygen levels at home. Even though I have "minor" OSA, my oxygen levels dropped to 48% during my original PSG.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:45 pm

Drops to that kind of level (48%) would have me in a panic

Here are 3 SpO2 charts I did recently (last week-end) where I did tests with a BiLevel & set the ipap & epap to a wide range to see what would happen.

The 1st two nights of the 3 shown had AHIs over 20 (mostly HI) and repeated desats and although these didn't cause me any tiredness on the next 2 days, I have no doubt that if repeated night after night, the results would be increased tiredness and debilitation. 88% is my alarm limit.

http://www.internetage.com/cpapdata/menu_110107.html

http://www.internetage.com/cpapdata/menu_120107.html

http://www.internetage.com/cpapdata/menu_130107.html

On the 4th night I reverted to my normal bilevel set up & SpO2 was totally normal (for me) av 95/96 min 91 max 98 most time being at av 95.

I probably use the PO every few weeks now just to see how the data looks or if some event has happened during the day that I think may impact the data.

Good luck with your research

DSM

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:25 am

My overnight oximetry PRIOR to overnight 02 supplementation AND prior to CPAP "never" went as low as 48%!!!!! And I have fairly severe COPD.

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:02 am

That was probably my biggest motivator in pursuing treatment. I knew I was "tired", but not in a life threatening way. My OSA was mild due to the number of events per hour. However, the 48% oxygen really got my attention. I am an obsessive fitness freak and have no lung problems. Go figure.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:37 pm

I'm a raw newbie at this but w/the events so few compared to your desaturation I would guess that 48% indicated one LONG apnea event!