Sleep study and oxygen level

[DJL]

When I had my sleep study in June my AHI was 7.6 (36 respiratory events, which were broken down to 1 Apneas and 35 Hypopnea) and so I did not have the usual second half with APAP and mask on because was AHIs were too low.
My oxygen level during sleep study (with some wake time) was between 93 & 95 %. They also mentioned Oxygen saturation (SpO2) while awake on room air was 94%, the nadir SpO2 was 90%.
Are these oxygen levels low and so indicate OSA, I thought that they usually go a lot lower? One reason That I am not sure if they are low was a note on my sleep summary report which was "standard note" they put on them and just fill in the percentage, the standard note said The saturation was less than 90% for 0% of time in bed.
That note seems to indicate that there is a problem if your saturation level goes below 90%. My level was stated as never going below 90% while in the bed.
Can anyone who sees/reviews these type of reports explain any of these figures for me.

Thanks Dave

[caffeinatedcfo]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I know.

O2 desaturation is a side-effect of sleep apnea not the cause. They determine apnea by scoring the periods you essentially stop breathing (apnea) or experience a certain reduction in breathing volume (hypopnea). The cumulative score (index) they arrive at is labeled AHI and your AHI of 7.5 basically means that you are not breathing properly for 10+ seconds at a rate of appx 7.5 times per hour. My AHI was 45.5 and my O2 levels did not drop below 90% for very long (only a few minutes). Yes, O2 levels below 90% are not good for you and can contribute to memory loss, Alzheimer's, high blood pressure, etc.

My original sleep study is linked in my signature block if you want to compare and contrast my "severe" apnea with yours.

[jweeks]

Hi,

What symptoms do you have? Are you sure you have a sleep issue? The reason that I ask is that your awake and sleeping oxygen levels are essentially the same, so sleep doesn't seem to be causing an O2 issue. Rather, having O2 levels in the lower 90s when you are awake might be an issue. Might be time to have that checked out. Beyond that, and AHI of 7.5 is higher than the treatment goal of 5.0, but not that much higher. How or why did you end up getting sent for a sleep study?

-john-

[DJL]

I original started on CPAP in about 2005 when my first sleep study showed a AHI of 39, with the morning headaches and daytime tiredness.
After using CPAP for five years I had a lot of my turbinates removed due to infections etc. About a year later and I just stopped using CPAP (no sleep study) for about 18 months. Only when the headaches and tiredness came back did I have another sleep study which was about four months ago, with the results stated in my original email.
I have read that some people who have had turbinates removed can have breathing problems. Your comment on my day oxygen level could be low has just started me thinking. Do you know the normal oxygen level range?
Like you said my oxygen saturation while awake on room air was 94% and during sleep was between 93-95%, so that is really no difference in levels. So my APAP is not really increasing my oxygen supply at night, that is keeping my airways open.
I have been on APAP for 3 months and have only felt a slight improvement, so I am just thinking that I have because of being on APAP. I do understand that people can feel better quickly or for some it takes a very long time.

Thanks Dave

[oak]

I am new, and confused: if your recent sleep study showed an AHI of 7.6 and your oxygen levels were that good, how did you end up back on CPAP? Did your doctor think the sleep study was invalid? My insurance wouldn't have paid for a machine with results that good. Or did you just go back on the machine you had before without your doctor's direction? What am I missing?

[DJL]

I have seen the sleep doctor twice since my sleep study and he looks at my S9 printout and says that I need a APAP. He arranged the sleep study, gave me the prescription and said that I need to go back on APAP.
I only started going through my study summary and other information after I have had a hard time get some medical notes sent from the doctor to the DME, it seems that the insurance want more information besides the sleep study report and prescription. I have been unable to get new CPAP supplies until this is resolved, and then I also started thinking if I needed to go back onto APAP.
Tha DME first got in contact for the information about three weeks ago and has followed up with the doctors office 2 or 3 times, plus I went to the doctors office and again they said they had sent the info to the DME.
When nothing turn up I rang again and they said they will send it, finally I said to the DME that I was going to the doctors and would not leave without a copy of the info. The DME said that they had spoken to the doctors office and they told them that they are having a technical issue with their computer and cannot print/access my medical info.
I wondered why the doctors office had not mentioned this a couple of weeks ago instead of just giving this BS story. Something does not smell very good about this whole thing.
If I had to stay on APAP I can live with as I have done for 5 years in the past, but if I do not need it then that would be better still.

Thanks Dave

[oak]

Something does not smell very good about this whole thing.

You've definitely gotten the runaround. Did you call your insurance carrier to see what it is that they need before approval? They should be able to tell you what their issue is in plain language.
And I would find a new doctor if I were you. I know that's easier said than done, but you deserve better. UGH!

[jweeks]

Your comment on my day oxygen level could be low has just started me thinking. Do you know the normal oxygen level range?

Dave,

My O2 level is typically 99% or 100% during the daytime. I have a lung issue, so I have visit the lung doctor every 9 months or so for a follow up. One test that they run is monitor O2 levels while walking. A normal person will not have much of any drop in O2 level while walking normally on a flat, level surface. Someone with breathing issues might see a drop in O2 levels in as little as 100 feet.

-john-