Questions About Oximeter Use - Help Needed!

I have just purchased an Oximeter with Software. I have tried a few night's but just last night got it fine tuned enough to get an accurate report. I would greatly appreciate it of anyone could help me interprete the results. To me they look serious. By the way I am 5 weeks into Straight CPAP with very few results which was the reason for buying the Oximeter.

Basal SP02 (%0) 64.9
Time (min) <88% 35.0
Events <88% 78
Minimim SP02 (%) 35
Avg. Low SP02 (%) 57.7
Avg Low Sp02 <88% 57.3

If anyone could shed some light on what these numbers mean I would greatly appreciate any help that I can get !!!!

Thanks again !!!!!!!

Do you have any lung ailments? COPD?
Could you please post an image of the report? Were there a lot of gray lines showing lost connection?

Take your O2 reading right now while awake. What does it say?

No COPD or Lung Problems. No Gray lines Right now it is 95. I will try to post report but you know that I am terrible at that Pugsy lol

ala5081 wrote:I will try to post report but you know that I am terrible at that

Time to learn how to post images. It isn't that hard.

95% O2 now, that is what the basal should have been. I am doubting the results. Basal 64.9... I doubt it along with all the other data then. Minimum 35%... not unless you held your breath for several minutes...


Open the image to full size so it is easily read.
I use Vista snipping tool to create a screen shot and crop the image at the same time.
Prt/scr key will also take a screen shot if using XP. If laptop is used sometimes the Fn key has to be pushed at the same time as the prt/scr key
I think windows 7 Home Premium has the snipping tool, Basic may not.
Once the screen shot is created save it in jpg format.
Upload the image to a host site. I use Photobucket it is free, there are others.
Once the image is uploaded then copy the ENTIRE IMG address. Be sure to include the opening and closing IMG in brackets. Paste that copied address into a post here.
Use the preview button. If you can't see the image try again because if you can't see it we can't.

Pugsy wrote:[I doubt it along with all the other data then. Minimum 35%... not unless you held your breath for several minutes...

Well, my SpO2 during my initial sleep study went to a minimum of 41% so I suppose 35% is possible... But still, there shouldn't be such a low figure while using CPAP!! Either there was a problem during the recording (that seems most probable, it should be visible in the graphs) or the CPAP treatment is not working as intended (too low pressure?).

Bluecat wrote: Well, my SpO2 during my initial sleep study went to a minimum of 41% so I suppose 35% is possible...

Yeah, untreated quite possible.

If OP had reported something lower than that 95% just now then I might think about something bad but the basal from that night should be about the same as just now the SpO2 95%.

I don't think it is his pressure. I think it is the oximeter or connections. Even if it was less than optimal pressure he has an increase in centrals with pressure increases so I am overly cautious with pressure suggestions for OP. If I remember correctly he is at 8 or 9 cm and that keeps AHI around 4 with half of those being centrals.

I can sure see where these findings would cause alarm but they start with a basal % that is not accurate. Makes me doubt all of it.

Yes I agree the basal seems too low to be an accurate reading.

Invest in a good O2 meter that has an alarm on it. The cheap o2 meters read good when you have good blood flow and a high O2. You get below 80 and the cheap meters don't read very well. You lose blood circulation and they won't read at all. Set the alarm for 80 and wake your but up when it goes off. Display your charts for several nights.

Do you suffer from you limbs going numb when your O2 gets low? I know I did for awhile. What happens whens to your body when your O2 gets low.

You may very well be right about my machine. I tried again last night and got a totaly conflicting report. Only dipped below 80 one time. Will try again tonight and then the machine goes back. Bought from a reputable AMERICAN Company !!!!!!!!! Will advise & thanks for all the input everybody !!!

Hi ala5081

If you are going to use the alarm most users would want it going off if it goes below 89 SpO2.

Why not just post what oximeter you use so that we know which one it is ?

cheers

Mars