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I recieved my new PulseOX7500 the other day. This was to be my deciding factor on whether I need a CPAP macine. My sleep lab test in Sept. showed a AHI of 4 with a supine of 7.2. The doc felt it was not enough for a machine. My Oximetry test was at the Mayo in Sept. and they recommended the sleep lab test. Mean ox sat was 92.4 with a min. of 86! My firts test at home on Wed. showed only 4 desats, a desat index of .5. Lowest desat was 92. I did another test last night. I was so tired that I thought: To hell with sleeping on my side. I will sleep in a position that allows me to sleep!!! I know I was on my back quite a bit. I will post the actual results later today but here is a summary. Highest Sp02-98, lowest 68, Desat index of 12.9. 96 desats with 44 of them being between 70 and 79 %. My knowledge opf this test is almost nothing. But the results sure seem to indicate that this is dangerous!! I would appreciate any comments and will post the test charts later. I will also do another test but on my side. Thanks in advance.

Bob

Wow! I would say its probably not a good idea to sleep on your back... at least not till you have a XPAP to keep you breathing.

Just my thoughts.

My thoughts exactly.

Bob, the goal is to keep your O2 saturation at all times above 90%

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Here are copies of my 2 oximetry tests. I could sure use some help in interpreting these results. Thanks

Bob

PLEASE: I do need some help on this one!!

Thanks

Bob

Hi,
You may have positional sleep apnea or orthopnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea. Many people desaturate more while on thier back because gravity is working against you and making your tongue or soft palate fall back and cover your airway. Many patients sleep much better when elevated with a wedge or pillows or even in a recliner. There are also devices that keep you from sleeping on your back. Much like the old sewing a tennis ball to the back of your shirt, the zzzoma is one of these. But you are probably still having some apneas on your sides as well but just more severe on your back. The CPAP is the best way to keep the airway open in any position.
Good luck,
Kevin

Bob, the first report looks like you didn't sleep at all and you had no desaturations that were significant. The second report looks like you fell into a deep sleep about 20 minutes into it. During the next hour or so you spent most of the time desaturated to around 70%. When you recovered from that, you had a dip into a couple of light sleep sessions but didn't desaturate much during those.

The goal is to spend zero time desaturated below 90%.

I'm pretty sure that at a hospital, they would put you on oxygen!

Do you have a pulmunologist or cardio doc? Are there any reasons for your Bradycardia (pulse under 60bpm)

Do you have the results of your sleep test? i.e. time in different sleep stages etc.

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I can see why they couldn't recommend a OSA diagnosis based on your sleep test but if your desats are caused by supine sleeping then I would suggest that you don't sleep on your back till the cause is found. I think your doc needs to see the oximetry results you have got.

There are some great suggestions for preventing supine sleeping on the forum including a stuffed camelback water pack and small backpacks. Whatever it takes.

Do contact your Doc ASAP.

p.s. did you take any meds before your sleep test?

snaark: Thanks for fixing that upload. I had a complete physical at the Mayo in Sept. Including: oximetry overnight test, stress test, heart imaging, kidney imaging, many blood tests, ekg. I was complaining of felling tired, no strength and no energy. My pulse was fine. My BP was very high even though I was on medication. The Internist changed my BP med and I was given a scare by the cardiologist. He said either change your lifestyle or you will be diabetic and have heart problems. I had that sleep study the next week. Although the sleep Dr. stated that he did not recommend CPAP he did give me a prescription. I have lost just over 8 lbs. and do not eat any "bad" foods! It has been heard but my BP has dropped to the point where I have to cut one of my meds in half! But my sleep has not changed. A max of maybe 7 hours split into 2 parts. And I wake up groggy. I have a bid in on an auto cpap and if not successful I will just order one next week. I am running out of options!! We are in Mexico and although there is a super hospital close by Sleep Apnea is not a subject that Docs here understand. In a city of almots a million there is only one sleep lab and it is "mickey mouse. The neurologist is a quack. There is an excellent cardiologist available. Again I sure would appreciate any help. Thanks

Bob

I assume that they didn't find anything wrong with your heart, kidneys etc?

Are you going to have a titration PSG? It would be best if you could. If not then you'll have to self titrate with an auto like me and some others here have done.

What machine are you looking at?

Yes I am going to self titrate. I am looking at the Intellipap auto. I think it is the best value out there and certainly gets good reviews. My heart and other organs were A1!

Bob

It seems to me that you don't have may apnea events - but when you do, they really desaturate you! I think the Mayo looked at an AHI of 4 and couldn't justify (probably to insurance) recommending a machine for you since guidelines are >15 for that.

Frankly they seemed a bit robotic and not concerned with the destaturations at all. They won't give you a titration PSG because they can't justify you needing CPAP. Rather than spend any more money than you already have spent - I would self-titrate with an autopap. I did and it worked well. Had I gone the PSG route they would have left me there and ignored me because my AHI was 13.6 not 15. Well, I feel better, so I guess they would have been wrong sending me home telling me not to drink excessive alcohol and take too many drugs - no kidding!

The recommendations in your report is to cover their butt rather than to help you. Your oximetery data showed desats into the 70% range and warrants a try at APAP IMO.