It's just a tool in the arsenal. I bought mine to see my stats while sleeping and at rest in the daytime knowing I was in the 90's most times. I found out I was even lower at night, expected as breathing is shallower. Liked the waveform even and smooth. I have 30 to 35% of normal heart function.
This year I found out by the O2 meter my heart is skipping beats about 1 in 4, that freaked me out. My heart doctors weren't alarmed or suprised, after all it wasn't their heart. So now I have one more heart Dr on the payroll, no change, just another hand in the pocket, life goes on. Jim
No need to worry about it, it is what it is, can't change it. Worry only make life worse, fix what can be fixed.
Oxygen issues not just when Im asleep but when awake as well
Re: Oxygen issues not just when Im asleep but when awake as well
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
Re: Oxygen issues not just when Im asleep but when awake as well
You have put me at ease. thank youZoopshine wrote:Let me try to put your mind more at ease.
Those type of devices measure oxygen levels by reading blood flow through your finger. Therefore, the only thing that it is measuring is the level of oxygen that is currently circulating through that particular finger. Anything at all, from a clot, through temperature variations, right down to your finger being bent, can affect that blood flow. Commercial/home use machines are designed primarily for spot checking during rest, such as sleep. If you are using this while you are up and active during the day, it would be far more surprising to see no "episodes." Furthermore, you cannot measure pulse using these devices with any real degree of accuracy for precisely the reasons I mentioned above. Your fingers contain very small vessels that can easily be pinched, not to mention the fact that the device is one-size-fits-all. Simply wiggling your finger can affect the reading. I know because I do exactly that when I'm instructing nurse aides in its use on patients! It is a tool with very limited uses, nothing more.
What I'm trying to say here is that I think you're giving yourself needless, unnecessary stress. What made you want to check your oxygen levels during the day? When you are fully conscious, the best indicator that you are short of breath is, frankly, feeling short of breath. You don't need this machine to tell you that.
-
RollingTheDice
Re: Oxygen issues not just when Im asleep but when awake as well
If you have low oxygen readings, you should see a pulmonologist. Spinal deformities (ex. scoliosis, etc) and posture issues can cause low oxygen (it isn't just caused by smoking). It is also possible that your Oximeter reads low - you may want to compare it with your doctors - wear both at the same time. If you are truly low in O2, your pulmonologist may prescribe an Oxygen concentrator in addition to your CPAP. Good luck!