Oxygen Level?

Another green horn question, new to bpap but wanted to know how bad I am I am looking for my papers now but can only remember that my o2 saturation level at night is 74% is that bad real bad or should I get my affairs in order?

It is pretty significant drop. Mine went to 73% with overall average in the low 80%.

The most important thing is the numbers you have while using the machine now. The past is the past and nothing we can do about it but comment on it. The damage (whatever it might be) has been done. Time to heal now.

I recently had a 2 night pulse oximetry test done by DME. No significant desats at all while on my machine. Some people purchase their own pulse oximeters so they can monitor their own O2 levels for reassurance and validation.

Ask your DME to get an order for an overnight pulse ox. Most of the time this is free or doesn't cost much and the peace of mind that comes with it is worth quite a bit.

If money permits you can always consider getting your own pulse ox if it will ease your mind. More importantly for me was the software and the data capable machine. Money for pulse ox will come later. One of my dogs had an emergency last week and that took all my extra cash (again). Always something, but it was reassuring to know that the 2 nights where I saw good numbers, I also had good O2 levels.

mickeyblueyes wrote:Another green horn question, new to bpap but wanted to know how bad I am I am looking for my papers now but can only remember that my o2 saturation level at night is 74% is that bad real bad or should I get my affairs in order?

One of the characteristics of OSA is that O2 saturation has downward spikes (stalactites?) during an event, which is the stimulus for waking up enough to breathe. Then it recovers. You can double check when you find your report, but my best guess is that 74 percent was your low point, not an average. And that IS really bad, frankly, but this place is full of people who were in the same territory, and we can all still use a computer and type. My minimum was 70 percent.

If you ever have a pulse oximeter available, see if you can get to 85 by holding your breath. I can't, and my doctor claims most people can't get below 90 voluntarily. That makes values in the low 70s seem even more perversely impressive. But now you've identified the problem, and CPAP is a tried and true solution, so everything is going to be fine.

You had better get your affairs in order. Just joking...... If you have your apnea under control your oxygen levels should be good, unless you have some other medical condition. Some forum members suggest use of an oximeter to monitor O2 sats.

rosie

AND - it isn't necessarily the minimum 02 saturation you hit, but how many desaturations how low for how long.

mickeyblueyes wrote:Another green horn question, new to bpap but wanted to know how bad I am I am looking for my papers now but can only remember that my o2 saturation level at night is 74% is that bad real bad or should I get my affairs in order?

....dude.....I would suggest a full review of your living conditions.

You have OSA w/O2 destats.
You're living in a cabin that may have a serious O2 destat from burning a wood stove.
You're living in a cabin that may have a compromised smoke stack.

Take a look at the big picture......your life may really depend on it.