Need help interpreting Pulse Oximetry results

This is part me venting against poor service, but mostly trying to get some answers.

I've been dealing with a fairly well know Telemed sleep doctor. My AHI is consistently under 1 per night but after over 2 years I still feel symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, waking up too early every day etc. I contacted this Dr. to report my symptoms and he ordered an at-home Pulse Oximetry test. The first one, according to the Doctor, allegedly made poor contact (I tried to get it to fail before and after sleep and was unsuccessful) so I was charged fee for a second test. I also tried to make this one fail to ensure good contact and it appeared to be working fine. The doctor later told me that this one also did not make good contact based on what he could see in the chart (but went on to make pressure changes anyways).

All I initially got from the Dr. were some remotely adjusted pressure changes on my CPAP machine. After waiting over a month, I contacted them and asked when I would receive my results. Oops...they forgot to attach them in an email. Doh. Anyway, I got my results but I have no idea what it means and so I asked them for some kind of explanation. The person who was responding to my emails (who I doubt is qualified to make medical decisions or analysis) told me my "AHI was fine/CPAP therapy is working" and that's it. My average AHI has actually gotten worse (although it is still acceptable) since the pressure adjustments, let alone, my original reason for seeking help had nothing to do with my AHI (my numbers were consistently below 1 almost every night). I raised this issue with the person who is responding to emails, and now I've been ghosted. No more responses or answers.

So, first, I need to know what the results of my Pulse Ox test mean. (obviously)
Secondly, I'm a bit concerned. The doctor ordered pressure changes based a test he assumed was flawed based on my chart. (paraphrasing: "the chart was flawed and it looks like your test malfunctioned, but I'm going to take action anyways based on that?" WTF?)
But, if it wasn't flawed, then I may have some severe issues (if it looks like the results were flawed, but they weren't). Either scenario is strange at best, dangerous at worst.

So any help with this is appreciated. I'll deal with the Dr. and my poor service later. I may be back to report on that and if I can safely assume there are no legal ramifications, I may name this company so that others don't have to deal with this poor service (initial service was actually decent).

Thanks in advance.

Can you please download Oscar (1st stickie on pg) and post results here so we can see what's what, have experts interpret them and advise what to do next. Oscar's the most comprehensive program out there now and will give more info than what you've had previously.

Yes, will do.

Nothing on the Oximetry indicates a need for a pressure change. You said your AHI is always under 1. Are you sure you are dealing with a real doctor?

LSAT wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:29 am

Nothing on the Oximetry indicates a need for a pressure change. You said your AHI is always under 1. Are you sure you are dealing with a real doctor?

He was helpful with my initial at home test and getting my equipment, but the way I've been treated in this instance makes me wonder. Some kind of secretary or something has been "communicating" with me since I got my results back. It could be that the secretary changed my pressure settings lol.

I'm not a doctor, but your oximetry report looks fine to me. The little spikes down below 90 probably indicate a brief loss of contact. If you continue to be concerned, you can buy a pulse oximeter that is compatible with Oscar so you can view your O2 data in a fuller context. Click on Oximetry Wizard on the Welcome page to view a list of compatible oximeters.

On the Statistics page, you should be able to see what your settings were before the recent change. I'd be curious what they were.

Next time you post a chart, could you make sure you've zoomed all the way out? Your graphs cover just a very short time interval.

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:10 am

I'm not a doctor, but your oximetry report looks fine to me. The little spikes down below 90 probably indicate a brief loss of contact. If you continue to be concerned, you can buy a pulse oximeter that is compatible with Oscar so you can view your O2 data in a fuller context. Click on Oximetry Wizard on the Welcome page to view a list of compatible oximeters.

On the Statistics page, you should be able to see what your settings were before the recent change. I'd be curious what they were.

Next time you post a chart, could you make sure you've zoomed all the way out? Your graphs cover just a very short time interval.

I posted the same day as my Oximetry study was done. What time interval do you recommend?

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:10 am

I'm not a doctor, but your oximetry report looks fine to me. The little spikes down below 90 probably indicate a brief loss of contact. If you continue to be concerned, you can buy a pulse oximeter that is compatible with Oscar so you can view your O2 data in a fuller context. Click on Oximetry Wizard on the Welcome page to view a list of compatible oximeters.

On the Statistics page, you should be able to see what your settings were before the recent change. I'd be curious what they were.

Next time you post a chart, could you make sure you've zoomed all the way out? Your graphs cover just a very short time interval.

Ok...didn't realize I completely botched this (my first time). I think this is better. Sorry and thank you.

Here's the 3 minute view.

Several of the times in the lower 90s seem to correspond with times when your breathing is somewhat shallower. I’m not seeing a reason to think you have an O2 problem calling for some kind of PAP change or other intervention.

In general, that’s a nice looking chart and you seem to be doing well. The 3 minute zoom shows a nice flow rate without noticeable flow limitations.

As I said, the easiest way to get complete reassurance would be to buy an oximeter that works with Oscar so you can check every now and then to see how things are going.