Low daytime SPO2 and fatigue

Thanks Miss Emerita! Doctor's approach is one step at a time - try nighttime oxygen first, see how it goes, and then look at other options like daytime O2

Hello

Just a quick update and question:

Last week started to use supplemental oxygen at night as prescribed. Oxygen concentrator (AirSep, model VisionAire) tube connects to CPAP tubing. SPO2 improves to 97-98 percent with mask on, but drops back to my usual 91-92 percent when mask removed. Sleep and daytime energy a bit better.

The only issue so far is noise from concentrator, it is much louder than CPAP humming. Is it usual? Are there quiet concentrators with noise level similar to my CPAP machine Resmed Airsence 10?

Thanks

The concentrator doesn’t need to be in your bedroom.

You can get long tubing and place it in another room.

25ft

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/roscoe ... bing-clear

50ft

https://www.amazon.com/Westmed-Purple-R ... 07Z2YZCD1/

GrumpyHere wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 10:44 am

The concentrator doesn’t need to be in your bedroom.
You can get long tubing and place it in another room

Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately for my place it's a bit impractical. It seems getting used to noise is the way to go.

Hi all
Just a quick update and question:
I'm using APAP with supplemental O2 every night for 6-7 hrs since June, pressure min 9.4 max 13.
AHI is still high, between 5 and 10. Sleep disrupted, awakenings every couple of hours or so, almost no sleep after 4am.
CPAP data shows mainly Unclassified/Central apnea, there are very few obstructive apnea events.
Respiratory rate is high, around 20-30 breath per minute. In fact even during the day my breathing also is rapid and shallow.
Recent bloods show suppressed haemoglobin (12.5, below min norm = 13) and red blood cells count (4.2, min norm 4.5). Also hematocrit = 0.37 is slightly below norm (min 0.4).
This might be linked to low O2 saturation - my finger oximeter readings are 91-92 percent during the day, at night oxygen drops to 88-90 despite use of CPAP with supplemental oxygen every night for 6-7 hours.
Suppressed O2 might be the reason for low energy, tiredness after brief basic activity. Even routine tasks which require concentration like writing email became more difficult.

Any ideas why daytime oxygen and haemoglobin are suppressed? Nutrition is fine, taking iron supplements.
Every day spending at least 2 hours outdoors walking.
My appointment with apnea doctor this Friday, it would be good what medication/tests to suggest

Thanks

I would want my GP to refer me to another hematologist, not a sleep doctor, as OSA may be blamed for some other not yet diagnosed problem, and the apnea may only be secondary issue.

We had a chat with GP about bloods and low O2 - her view is that haemoglobin is not bad for my age (60yo) and O2 is for respiratory consultant

vps wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 28, 2023 12:53 am

We had a chat with GP about bloods and low O2 - her view is that haemoglobin is not bad for my age (60yo) and O2 is for respiratory consultant

What respiratory consultant?

Are you getting a complete PFT?

vps wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 27, 2023 11:05 am

Recent bloods show suppressed haemoglobin...
This might be linked to low O2 saturation - my finger oximeter readings are 91-92 percent during the day, at night oxygen drops to 88-90 despite use of CPAP with supplemental oxygen every night for 6-7 hours.

First of all, those oxygen saturations aren't all that low, and second, low O2 would make your hemoglobin increase, not decrease.

What respiratory consultant?

GP reckons respiratory consultant (apnea doctor) is in better position to investigate low SPO2, even though it's daytime SPO2. Looks like good old kicking can down the road

complete PFT

what does PFT mean?

low O2 would make your hemoglobin increase, not decrease

I know, unfortunately for me it's low O2 and low hemoglobin

PFT is a pulmonary function test. You need to see a pulmonologist, not an apnea doctor (although many pulmonary physicians are sleep physicians).

I'll bet your ERV is low (more on that later).

By the way where you? From your accent you sound like you're from in or around Dublin.

vps wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:27 am

Muffy wrote: low O2 would make your hemoglobin increase, not decrease

I know, unfortunately for me it's low O2 and low hemoglobin

Well I'd be willing to throw a couple Euro down to bet it's neither.

It's pCO2.

It's pCO2

ABG done in August didn't detect any abnormalities

By the way where you? From your accent you sound like you're from in or around Dublin.

Spot on

vps wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:55 am

ABG done in August didn't detect any abnormalities

What were the numbers?

What were the numbers?

Apologies for late reply.
Not sure about numbers, doctor just told ABG was normal.
Have an appointment in 2 weeks, can ask about numbers.
It would be good though to understand how low haemoglobin and low daytime SPO2 is linked to ABG