[Equipment] Question on results of overnight oximeter test !

[JonUK]

I have had sleep apnea since 2015, but I gave up using software to check everything around 2017. So my memory is a bit hazy on the interpretation of results as it has been 3 years since I last analysed it. The reason I now wish to is because I think my dad has sleep apnea, he is a big guy (obese) like me and I just know all the signs, falling asleep all the time, bad nights, going to toilet multiple times, etc. So I decided to give him a test on my oximeter overnight. I want him to take the test 3 times then take the reports to his doctor. He is 75 years old. 

Here are my questions (see attached photos for results of his overnight Sp02).....

1) Firstly, I accidentally imported my dads results on to my profile in Oscar, just 1 nights Sp02, can I remove it ?

2) Looking at this first nights results it looks quite bad, he said he had a bad night (and has had bad nights for the last year). Can I assume the very low Sp02 episodes (70 to 80% Sp02) are not likely for when he was awake ? He reckoned he got about 4 hours sleep and got up to the toilet 3 times but can't remember what times of night he was awake. I am guessing low Sp02 is very unlikely to be when he was awake ? 

3) If you were to look at this, would you say there is a very possible chance of sleep apnea being present ? How bad of a result is this ? 

Thanks for any help. 

   
   
   

[Sleeprider]

Your dad has a severe problem and should get therapy as soon as possible. I would even consider paying for a good machine like the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset out of pocket, especially if his deductibles and copay are significant. You can buy a new one at Supplier #2 for $539. Second, I would just show these results to his PRIMARY doctor , along with a list of his symptoms, and request a prescription for CPAP. DO NOT go to a sleep specialist. They will run endless tests and everything is backed up due to Covid-19. Your dad has no business going to a sleep lab at 75 with his comorbidities. Just get the script. The Autoset is an extremely good, responsive machine, and we can get your dad optimized very quickly. Your dad is below 90% a lot, and the amount of time he is below 88% and even 80 percent would qualify for supplemental oxygen under Medicare. That would require a sleep test, but his health is at risk.

To delete your dad's oximeter results from your Oscar data, just go to the menu, Data/Advanced and select Purge Current Day. You can then re-import your own data.

[Dormeo]

Your father's SpO2 numbers were below 90 for 26% of the night. This certainly deserves further investigation via a sleep study. To another of your questions: in general, SpO2 is somewhat higher during times when we're awake.

[JonUK]

Thanks both of you. I myself have a Respironics REMstar Auto System One 60, would the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset be a better and more suitable device for him than one of those ? I know with my REMstar I can auto set 2 ranges and then it goes up and down when needed. Is the Autoset a lot better ? Mine is quite old now I realise so I am sure the Autoset is much newer.

We live in the UK by the way. Thanks.

[Dormeo]

Sleeprider's advice to avoid a sleep test for now makes sense to me,as does his advice to share the O2 results with your father's primary care doctor.

If you can set your father up with the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset, then you'll be able to get data that will help the experts here provide further guidance. You can set up a second profile in Oscar for him, if that works at your end.

I'm hoping Sleeprider can suggest some initial settings. My own thoughts -- just to get going -- would be something like minimum of 7, maximum of 12, with EPR (expiratory pressure relief) of 2. He might want to try the machine and mask out during the day, away from the bedroom, to get used to the feel of it and to fit the mask he'll be using.

Even one night of Oscar data might point to some useful changes to the initial settings, whatever they may be.

[Sleeprider]

If you want to setup your old Philips Respironics System One 60 Series (PRS1 60 Auto) for dad, be sure a clean SD card is in the slot and reset the user data. Set minimum pressure to 8.0, maximum pressure to 14.0 and set Flex to 2 for now, turn off Ramp. Once we see data, we can move things around as appropriate. This will give him immediate therapy and we can learn a lot from a single night of therapy.

A Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset is a preferred machine because it changes pressure in a way that prevents apnea and hypopnea events, compared to Philips which is reactive and usually well behind the curve. The Resmed also provide a true bilevel therapy with up to 3-cm pressure difference between inhale and exhale pressure. This allows us to much more effectively treat some conditions, and it makes breathing much easier and more natural than the Philips. With few exceptions, people just do better with the more advanced technology and therapy algorithms in the Resmed.

[Gideon]

As Sleeprider points out we support older machines, but, without question, the AutoSet is preferred because of its flexibility.

your old Philips Respironics System One 60 Series (PRS1 60 Auto) for dad, the worst case is we will see it handles your dads desats (Use the oximeter in addition to the CPAP). If we feel you absolutely need an AutoSet we will let you know. As he said we can learn a lot from a single night of use, even if it is a bad night!

[SideSleeper]

Note he is in UK--United Kingdom. Accessibility is different than in the USA.