O2 Levels...How low is too low?

[m1k2s3]

Just curious about 02 levels and what I should be aware of. At my initial sleep study (pre CPAP), my lowest 02 level was 59%, then after CPAP, went up to 92%. Obviously 92% is better but just how bad is 59%? And I don't have any software on my machine so unless I go for another sleep study, I have no way of monitoring my 02 level. I'm guessing that if my 02 levels were to somehow start to decrease again, I would physically feel the effects (i.e. tired, headaches, etc). Would I then adjust my pressure or should I go back for another sleep study? My pressure is currently at 9 and that's the pressure I've been using since starting CPAP. I used to use the ramp feature starting at 4.5, then up to 9 but now it's just easier to not use it.


I've been on CPAP for almost 2 years and once my body adjusted to it, I've never had a problem. Most mornings I wake up refreshed, which is a blessing since before CPAP, I would always wake up tired and often with a headache.

Also, a question on sleep studyies - how often should follow up sleep studies be done.

[Wulfman]

Just curious about 02 levels and what I should be aware of. At my initial sleep study (pre CPAP), my lowest 02 level was 59%, then after CPAP, went up to 92%. Obviously 92% is better but just how bad is 59%? And I don't have any software on my machine so unless I go for another sleep study, I have no way of monitoring my 02 level. I'm guessing that if my 02 levels were to somehow start to decrease again, I would physically feel the effects (i.e. tired, headaches, etc). Would I then adjust my pressure or should I go back for another sleep study? My pressure is currently at 9 and that's the pressure I've been using since starting CPAP. I used to use the ramp feature starting at 4.5, then up to 9 but now it's just easier to not use it.


I've been on CPAP for almost 2 years and once my body adjusted to it, I've never had a problem. Most mornings I wake up refreshed, which is a blessing since before CPAP, I would always wake up tired and often with a headache.

Also, a question on sleep studyies - how often should follow up sleep studies be done.

As far as the O2 levels......if you're in a hospital and you drop below about 88%, they put you on oxygen.
You don't HAVE to have another sleep study to find out your O2. Your doctor (Sleep or GP) can order an overnight pulse oximetry from your local DME......and it should be FREE.

Now.....which SOUNDS like it might be cheaper......getting a data capable machine and the software/card reader combination, or paying for another sleep study? With a data-capable machine, you can do your own sleep study EVERY night.

If you're using a nasal mask, make sure you're not mouth-leaking your therapy air during the night. That's the biggest failure of most CPAP users.

Den

[turbosnore]

I guess 59% is close to "near death" experience .

Mine is considered hazardous and it doesn't go below 80.
My doctor said that I have high CO2 tolerance, so if my condition advances, say 10-15 years,
and if I had a bigger surgical operation, I might not wake up.

[minolta25]

Just curious about 02 levels and what I should be aware of. At my initial sleep study (pre CPAP), my lowest 02 level was 59%, then after CPAP, went up to 92%. Obviously 92% is better but just how bad is 59%? And I don't have any software on my machine so unless I go for another sleep study, I have no way of monitoring my 02 level. I'm guessing that if my 02 levels were to somehow start to decrease again, I would physically feel the effects (i.e. tired, headaches, etc). Would I then adjust my pressure or should I go back for another sleep study? My pressure is currently at 9 and that's the pressure I've been using since starting CPAP. I used to use the ramp feature starting at 4.5, then up to 9 but now it's just easier to not use it.


I've been on CPAP for almost 2 years and once my body adjusted to it, I've never had a problem. Most mornings I wake up refreshed, which is a blessing since before CPAP, I would always wake up tired and often with a headache.

Also, a question on sleep studyies - how often should follow up sleep studies be done.

Hi. When I started with my "real" problems several years ago, I went to the ER at DH's insistence - all I wanted to do was SLEEP. Got to the ER and they put the pulse oxymeter (sp?) on me, yanked it off and put it on the other hand and I literally flew into the ER with the nurse yelling for "call respiratory STAT!" I later learned that my O2 was 50.

I spent 8 days in the hospital, 7 of which were on full oxygen with regular nebulizer treatments and a gazillion other things.

That level is nothing to play with.

[papdad]

I have been on supplemental oxygen for two years now. This came about originally because my cardiologist said that my SpO2 was running on the low side. He said that anything less than 90, on a continual basis, was unacceptable because the heart would have to work harder and would become enlarged and that could lead to heart failure. That below 90 number was also later stated by my pulmonary doctor. I definitely do not like having to deal with the supplemental O2 but I do cope with it.

Do as Wulfman suggested and go for the 24 hr. SpO2 study. Your PCP can request that it be run. Have had 2 of these studies and they were done as a complimentary service by DME's. -- They may get to sell you supplemental oxygen, xPAP machines, etc. Having low SpO2 levels is just dangerous.

I was diagionosed with apnea since being originally placed on oxygen and am hopeful that the xPAP therapy will improve my oxygen levels.
Luck, Norm

[DreamStalker]

I was diagnosed w/ 60% O2 so I can speak from experience that it is near death ... I was a living dead man for over 5 years before they figured out what was wrong. The treatment gave me my life back with a quality equal to being at least 10 to 15 years younger.