Had pulse oximeter last night, need advice.

pivot · Post by **pivot** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:35 pm

I have been having an extremely hard time w/cpap as I'm sure everyone else does. I had my DME lend me a pulse oximeter to see my oxygen levels on my cpap. Well I decided to video the oximeter since I do not have the software to read it and like instant gratification. I had taken off my mask like I always do and within one hour of trying to go to bed. But the tape was still running. My oxygen baseline during the day is 95-98. During the 3 hours I taped my stats were usually aroung 91-93 and for short spurts 89-90. IS this considered dangerous, just wondering. Byt the way my sleep study noted that I only have hypopneas not central or apneas, just a side note.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:32 pm

When I was at 90 they put me on 2L of O2, that was awake.

pivot · Post by **pivot** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:45 pm

OOOh that is not good, but isn't it normal for the oxygen level to fall while sleeping, not sure. I did not have a 90 reading while awake.

bellasmiles · Post by **bellasmiles** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:49 pm

I'm not sure about in the nineties, but mine was as low as 68% while sleeping and they didn't give me oxygen, but said it could be dangerous. 'S all I know. lol

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:19 pm

The low 90s does seem low but not serious.

If you are dropping below 88% regularly, I believe they will become concerned.

68% is diabolical

DSM

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:38 pm

Seems I've read that 90 and above is ok while sleeping. 95 and above is ok while awake. But I could be wrong.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:01 pm

pivot wrote:My oxygen baseline during the day is 95-98. During the 3 hours I taped my stats were usually aroung 91-93 and for short spurts 89-90. IS this considered dangerous, just wondering. Byt the way my sleep study noted that I only have hypopneas not central or apneas, just a side note.

To give you a reference point:
- My oximeter alarms whenever the oxygen saturation drops below 90%.

Whenever I have desaturations down to low 90's it's been a bad night for me, and I usually know it before even looking at the oximeter data. I expect you'd feel better if you were able to keep your level from dropping so low. Maybe experimenting with your APAP settings would help. Maybe going to straight CPAP and experiment with pressure a little.

The good news is you now at least have a way to quantify how well xPAP is working for you. A little experimentation will change the numbers somewhat and likely tell you which way improvement lies.

Hope this helps a little.

Regards,
Bill

pivot · Post by **pivot** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:43 pm

Thanks everyone for your info. Just a reminder the readings I questioned 88-89 dipping for a few seconds was w/o CPap. I have not been able to sleep at all w/cpap.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:32 am

pivot wrote:Just a reminder the readings I questioned 88-89 dipping for a few seconds was w/o CPap. I have not been able to sleep at all w/cpap.

OK. After rereading your original message I see that you meant you took your mask off when recording your oximeter data.

Considering this new information, I'd recommend that you keep your mask on, and continue with CPAP treatment. OK, easy for me to say, I suppose. I never had trouble sleeping with a mask on. So why is it that you are you taking your mask off, anyway? Is it comfort? Claustrophobia? Congestion? Another reason?

Whatever the reason, someone here can probably lend good advice.

Regards,
Bill

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:36 pm

It is time to do something about sleeping with the mask/XPAP. There are lots of posts about adapting to XPAP and lots on sleep to read. I don't know what you have tried and I don't know if you consider hypopnea a minor or serious condition. The effects on low oxygen levels on your heart and brain are not good-so please do not minimize your condition thinking you do not have apnea.
Look at the sleep hygiene info online-meditation-making sure your mask fits-desensitizing yourself to the mask-etc. If none of that works look at the pros & cons of a sleeping medication and discuss it with the doc who rx'd your XPAP. If it is claustrophobia-it could take medication and some kind of desensitization/therapy to get past it.

pivot · Post by **pivot** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:11 pm

Yes, I am having an incredibly hard time adjusting. I realize how serious this is, that is why I ask so many questions. I am going to try Ambien CR, and see how it works. I really hope it knocks me out enough to sleep w/the darn mask.
THANKS!!!

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:22 pm

If you are not used to taking sleeping meds-you might want to take your first Ambien on a night when you don't have to do anything the next AM-that way you can relax and let it work and find out how it affects you the next morning-how long it takes to get moving etc. Don't plan to hop out of bed-into clothes and into a car to drive anywhere until you know how you react to the Ambien CR or if you have residual drowsiness.
PS-This is standard advice. I use Ambien CR without any problems.

pivot · Post by **pivot** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:27 pm

Yes, I am a little concerned how the Ambien will affect me so I will do it on a weekend night so I do not have to drive early in the morning. I really appreciate your advice.

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:44 am

[quote="pivot"].............................. My oxygen baseline during the day is 95-98. During the 3 hours I taped my stats were usually aroung 91-93 and for short spurts 89-90. ..............................

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:34 am

I was told by the sleep study technician that the normal range started around 90 for the average person without sleep issues. (And also told that I was at a level of 70.)

Kimberly

Had pulse oximeter last night, need advice.

Had pulse oximeter last night, need advice.

oooh

Re: Had pulse oximeter last night, need advice.

no cpap

Re: no cpap

Thanks

oh good

Re: Had pulse oximeter last night, need advice.

Mask