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+--- Thread: [Health] Low oxygen even with CPAP (/Thread-Health-Low-oxygen-even-with-CPAP)
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Low oxygen even with CPAP - Kikala - 02-01-2018
hi folks,
I'm brand new to this board, after being diagnosed with sleep apnea last summer.
I have a question I'm hoping some people can respond to, as I've been searching the internet for a few hours now without finding what I need.
After complaining of insomnia to my primary care, I did a home sleep study. The results showed that I had an average of 21 AHI and that my oxygen level was below 88% for 123 minutes, and declined as low as 75%.
I started CPAP and have been using it religiously. According to my machine, I'm down to having only .5 - 1.5 AHI/hour.
Last month, my doc wanted me to use the oximeter overnight again, to measure my oxygen levels. They were basically the same: 121 min below 88%, lowest decline at 76%.
Saw a pulmonologist. He is going to do a pulmonary function test but wants to start me on supplemental oxygen right away. I have concerns! Any help with the following questions would be most appreciated!
-- How can my levels be so low even with CPAP?
-- What are the risks of using supplemental? I've heard your body can get used to it and not be able to function without it.
-- I saw a cardiologist and had an echocardiogram, and it was fine. What else could be causing such low oxygen readings?
Thanks so much for any help!
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - ajack - 02-02-2018
Get some sleepyhead charts up, if you want to. The forum may see something worth mentioning. You may need the pressures adjusted, to help for now.
Normally you move from cpap to bpap and then o2 if needed. He might be giving the o2, till the testing and another sleep study on to bpap is done? You could ask what the plan is.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - Walla Walla - 02-02-2018
First I wouldn't panic. Oxygen is not something to be scared of. I had to use it for a while and I didn't become addicted to it. You'll find though with the oxygen you'll feel better in the mornings. I'd guess that he's giving you oxygen for a short term while they do tests to figure out the cause. Sometimes it can be corrected with a BIPAP machine without oxygen.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - Kikala - 02-02-2018
Thanks Ajack. I am going to look into getting Sleephead set up with my machine this weekend.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - trish6hundred - 02-02-2018
Hi Kikala,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with CPAP therapy.
Hang in there for more responses to your post.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - Mogy - 02-02-2018
Is it possible you have GERD or silent reflux?
https://www.google.ca/url?q=https://www.mdedge.com/internalmedicinenews/article/55252/gastroenterology/reflux-associated-oxygen-desaturation-flags&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwj8oKWH04jZAhUJmbQKHYXWBOoQFggLMAA&usg=AOvVaw0FLBdX-goC5YYAZxzvaHJZ
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - mikeh99 - 02-02-2018
I'm going through the same thing. I was on cpap for years but my o2 levels were too low. So they added supplemental oxygen. That works but my sleep doc switched me to bipap in the hope that would work instead. In April I'll be tested and if all goes well the oxygen will be eliminated. Let's see how it goes.
Good luck with your test.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - Mogy - 02-03-2018
The link I posted earlier doesn't seem to work now. This one should be better.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23143640/
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - olywa - 02-03-2018
Interesting article Mogy. Thanks for posting it.
RE: Low oxygen even with CPAP - Kikala - 02-04-2018
hi all,
OK, so I spent some time this weekend getting an SD card and downloading Sleepyhead, and trying to figure out how to use them!
It looks like because I didn't have an SD card in before last night, I have only incomplete data for the nights before last night. So I'm attaching one file that charts just last night, with the details.
I'm also attaching 2 records of my O2 saturation, preCPAP (5-16-17) and while on CPAP (10-12-17). Unfortunately they look very similar in terms of number of minutes below 88% -- about 2 hours both nights. (And both nights I slept only about 5 hours.)
I would love any help in deciphering them, as well as any suggestions of things to pursue.
My big concern right now is that the pulmonologist prescribed oxygen, which the RT then delivered. I just don't know enough to know if it's safe. Also, while I have a pulmonary function test scheduled, I'm concerned about using O2 when no one seems to know why my levels are so low at night.
Thanks so much for any advice or suggestions!