Desaturations on APAP
This is my first post here as a newbie. I have mild sleep apnea. I have an Sefam S Box so I’m unable to use Oscar or any way of looking at flow charts etc.
I was on APAP 4-20 settings since January 24, but my Wellue O2 ring was showing a few desaturations into the low 80’s each night. The technician changed my starting pressure to 6 the other day, which has helped a little, but I’m still dropping to the high 80’s now. Should my 02 levels be consistently above 90% when I sleep while getting treatment? My average 02 is usually 96% but I often wake up with headaches when I desaturate. She will be checking in with me in the next week to see how I’m feeling. Many thanks ?
RE: Desaturations on APAP
I'm far from an expert, but there's little anyone can do here without seeing some data. And as you found, your Sefam S Box is primitive and does not support detailed data.
At least one user here reports a life-changing experience after changing from Sefam S Box to a Resmed Airsense 10:
here:
https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...efam-S-Box
and here:
https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...#pid498045
Do you at least get AHI reported on your machine? You may have 'positional apnea', which appear in clusters and generally cannot be helped with pressure. But with data from a good (Resmed) machine, you can identify it and help you see if your changes help address any of it.
Good luck.
RE: Desaturations on APAP
Songbird;
Like charlie*M said this is pretty much a guess ..
If Changing Your lower pressure from 4 to 6 helped
I would try 7 cmh2o and if You see more improvement
try 8 cmh2o ..
I also have a border line o2 saturation problem .. My
Dr. gave Me the option of using o2 at night .. I decided
to try without for now .. Talk to Your Dr. He may put You
on o2 at night ..
Hope this helps ..
RE: Desaturations on APAP
Yes your SpO2 ought to be in the 90s. I have COPD/Asthma, at 92% SpO2 I'll get dizzy. How much of the time are you below 89%? That's the warning zone.
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RE: Desaturations on APAP
You should be able to post a couple of O2 Insight Pro Reports, redact any personal information, Page 1 should have all of the information needed.
Ideally CPAP will keep your SpO2 above 90%
Time is the critical matter, if it is of a few minutes duration then they will not worry about it, but if you consistently have a couple of hours total time <90% SpO2 every night, then you should worry.
Post a couple of your worst case, O2 Insight Pro reports
