cpap and oxygen levels?

Ok if cpap is keeping me from having apenia and hypopneia's, does it stop my oxygen levels from dropping too? I have found even when awake my oxygen drops on me. Like when in er the machine alarm went off saying my levels where below normal and I had to take deep breaths to make it stop. it was also mention to me that also on first sleep study my worst oxygen levels where showing when I was a wake? NO I wasn't holding my breath like the person who pointed it out suggest I was doing. OK OK I know I have a thought behind this question but I can't seem to get my thoughts and words to come out right, and lately its getting worse and worse can't even carry a conversation cause can't get the words or thoughts to come out I get exhusted and give up.

Plus they reshuled my doctors appointment on me from dec 28 to jan 15 so have to wait longer to ask doctor about all this. Its taking me over 30 min to even write this much. I"m so depressed and so tired. This is effecting my marriage and my sanity.

When my pressures where 12 I would wake up more alive in morning but would wake up still all night long wanting more air.

than they said that pressures should be 10 so I adjusted to 10 and I than slept all night but am so tired I nap during day and don't do anything but lay in bed all day. and I can't comunicate my thoughts very well to be able to carry on conversation and I keep forgetting stuff. took me over an hour and roughly 5 trys to tell my husband something about lump the other night.

I just readjusted my pressures back to 12 hoping that will make my brain work again. heck I feel like I am rambling and not sure I am even getting my question right or across?

IBTeri wrote:Ok if cpap is keeping me from having apenia and hypopneia's, does it stop my oxygen levels from dropping too?

Yes, cpap is supposed to help keep your oxygen levels from dropping. For some people, cpap alone isn't enough and they are also prescribed supplemental oxygen. The titration portion of your study should have indicated if cpap did the trick or if you needed to add oxygen.

IBTeri wrote:Plus they reshuled my doctors appointment on me from dec 28 to jan 15 so have to wait longer to ask doctor about all this. Its taking me over 30 min to even write this much. I"m so depressed and so tired. This is effecting my marriage and my sanity.

You're going through a really rough time, Teri. When you aren't sleeping well it makes all aspects of life so much harder. No wonder you're depressed! And the holidays are always the worst time when anyone's feeling down. As to how it effects your relationships and your sanity... the only thing I can suggest is patience. Patience to you and your husband while you get it all sorted out. And you will get it sorted out. If you find it has become too overwhelming, make an appointment with your doctor to get evaluated for clinical depression. Sometimes we need a little outside help in order to start firing on all cylinders again. I've been there and I benefitted greatly (much to my surprise because I was quite cynical) from a combination of cognitive therapy and medication. It helped me feel well mentally and physically. Before I was diagnosed and started treatment, I had become so used to feeling generally rotten and tired all the time, I just accepted it. Imagine my surprise when I started to feel normal again! I only wish I'd explored the possibility sooner.

Sleep apnea and depression go hand in hand... hard to know which came first. There are many, many, many people on this board who have experienced the same double whammy. The important thing is not to give up... meet it head on and get your life back! You're already doing that by using cpap, but maybe what's effecting you is more than just OSA and oxygen levels. It can't hurt to find out.

Hang in there, Teri. There are brighter days ahead!!

Whoa! Even when you are AWAKE your oxygen levels drop enough to set off an alarm in ER???

ER only had you breathe deeply? They didn't put you on supplementary oxygen?

Did they do a spirometry test whilst you were in ER? Do you have asthma? Emphysema? Chronic bronchitis? Do you know how low your oxygen levels dropped in ER whilst you were AWAKE? Do you know how low your oxygen levels dropped during your sleep and titration studies?

If your oxygen levels when awake are dropping low enough to set off an alarm in ER it boggles my mind that you are allowed to go this long, despite the holidays, w/o at the very least a spirometry test or a full pulmonary function test!!!!! And if they come out all right then you most certainly need to be seen by a GOOD neurologist!!

If you're wondering about your oxygen levels at night, you could ask your doctor for a prescription to do an overnight pulse oximetry study. It's free and your DME will give you a device with a long cable that you wear on your finger. When you take it back to them, they'll download the data and send the report to your doctor. You might ask them for a copy for yourself, too. (I did)
That'll give you some idea of what's happening while you sleep and whether the night-time oxygen is a factor.

Best wishes,

Den

First read this study:
sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061215090823.htm

After reading the study the stuff below should make since to you.
Fluid pooling is most likely causing your de-saturation and much of your apnea. Has your doctor mentioned CHF?

I also desaturated just laying down. I might be 96-98 spo2 standing up but I drop to 88-92 just laying down.


You really should be on a BIPAP. Your need more lung power to overcome the CPAP single pressue.
Switching from a CPAP to a BIPAP then setting the IPAP from 6-7 points above EPAP works for me.
Example 12I/6E this should help you from de-desaturating. It will increase your Respiratory rate and tidal volume some to help you get a deeper breath without really thinking about it, sort of like a mild Ventilation system.


Some other things to help your SPo2 when lying down.

Lower your salt intake to under 2000mgs per day.
If your on diuretics take them 3 hours before bed time.
Raise the head of your bed 4-6 inches.
All these things can help your spo2 and your apnea at the same time.

You can get a new finger Pulse Oximeter on ebay for around $125 to set your mind at ease.

Duh! GOOD suggestion, Wulfman! I don't know why "I" didn't think of that.

yes I have asthma. and already had that test with thingie on finger. had to do it 3 differant times I messed up the first 2 times so by the 3rd time I was a nervous wreck. the doctor did that before he sent me for a sleep study. I drop below 90% during that. all I know is Im 5'3 and 44 yrs old and my peak flow is 350 at best. oh and female to boot.

the saga continues...

you need to quit messing with the pressure. If they said your titrated pressure was 10cm then put it back at 10cm and LEAVE it there.

You are not going to feel the difference in a single night, if that is what you are thinking your thinking is wrong.

Your case is already made complex with asthma, in addition, you have allergies to pine trees and you live in the heart of timber country, that you admitted in your other posts.

then if I recall correctly, you have never had a proper lab-based titration study?, only a 5-day in-home study with an autopap machine?

I'm not going to tell you what I think of your doctor, but with asthma and the other things you have going on a lab-based titration study should have been mandatory.

so without knowing exactly how you respond to increased cpap pressure it is foolish to be increasing it without having the monitoring software to see what impact it may be having on your sleep.

I'd put the machine back to 10cm and use it. Even the minimal pressure delivered will assist with bringing oxygen levels back. And I agree with Wulfman you should be borrowing a SPO2 monitor to use several nights along with the cpap to see what your O2 levels do while on the machine.

Teri,
So sorry to hear how hard you are having it. And needing to do all the extra things while feeling so bad has to be daunting. I just remember for a period of time how totally overwhelmed I was, trying to think things thru while in such a fog and then pushing thru the fatigue to follow thru seemed like mountain climbing. And I didn't have as many complicating factors as you have. Is there a family member or friend who is both capable and willing to walk alongside you thru this, someone who can "take the reins" in some areas? Just from our interactions you seem like the kind of person who just tries to do what they've gotta do, but this may be a time for you to allow others to do for you. (Doers have a hard time with this.) For instance, waking up was so hard for me so my daughter and a friend took responsibility to see that I woke up for my appointments. My daughter brought me something to eat regularly as it wasn't safe for me to cook. Another friend volunteered to take over sorting my mail to make sure bills weren't overlooked. You'll notice I say all this in past tense. You too will get thru this. It may help to give yourself permission to not be everything to everybody until you are feeling restored. I have on occasion got appointments moved up by calling every day and asking if there were any cancellations I could fill. Can't give you any technical answers, just an encouraging word that it won't always be like this. You're well on your way to uncovering the causes of your problems.
Kathy

[quote="Snoredog"]the saga continues...

you need to quit messing with the pressure. If they said your titrated pressure was 10cm then put it back at 10cm and LEAVE it there.

You are not going to feel the difference in a single night, if that is what you are thinking your thinking is wrong.

Your case is already made complex with asthma, in addition, you have allergies to pine trees and you live in the heart of timber country, that you admitted in your other posts.

then if I recall correctly, you have never had a proper lab-based titration study?, only a 5-day in-home study with an autopap machine?

I'm not going to tell you what I think of your doctor, but with asthma and the other things you have going on a lab-based titration study should have been mandatory.

so without knowing exactly how you respond to increased cpap pressure it is foolish to be increasing it without having the monitoring software to see what impact it may be having on your sleep.

I'd put the machine back to 10cm and use it. Even the minimal pressure delivered will assist with bringing oxygen levels back. And I agree with Wulfman you should be borrowing a SPO2 monitor to use several nights along with the cpap to see what your O2 levels do while on the machine.

Teri, I realize you weren't titrated at your first sleep study, but how did your new sleep study go on December 12th? Did they use a CPAP that night and that's when you were titrated to the new pressure of 10cms? I know you have been concerned with desats, but if the PSG you had two weeks ago didn't indicate a need for supplemental oxygen, hopefully that will bring you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about!

I hadn't realized your serious health issues (in addition to OSA) until I went back and read your prior posts. Teri, I think it is extremely important you speak to your doctor about your concerns. With a medical history of congestive heart failure, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, ADD, high cholesterol, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, insomnia, and asthma, we laypeople are in way, way, way over our heads in making any recommendations to you.

I wish you the very best for the New Year and will be thinking of you! Keep us posted on how you're doing!

yes they used a cpap.
and tech told me next morning that I was good at 10. but I;m not. so I did turn it back up until I can talk to doctor on the 15

IBTeri wrote:

Ok the thing is I did have it at 10 I wasn't messing with settings. Thats why I posted how horrible thing where since switching from the 12 the first doc told me to use to 10 the new sleep study said I should use.

yes they used a cpap.
and tech told me next morning that I was good at 10. but I;m not. so I did turn it back up until I can talk to doctor on the 15

What did the hypochondriac have engraved on her tombstone?

See I told ya I was sick.

so I"m a hypochondriac?
sorry to bug you than.