OSCAR Data vs Lookee O2 Ring

[cmpman1974]

I'm very glad you have an appointment with a doctor tomorrow.  A sleep doctor may or may not be the right person to follow up on these data.  Be sure you are satisfied by the end of the appointment that a plan for further investigation is in place.

Me too.  I plan to press hard to try to get some answers.  I have pulmonary hypertension and they tell me it is well-controlled but data like this leads me to believe otherwise.  My daytime O2 is significantly better but I rarely see above 94% on a pulse-ox meter during the day.  Docs never seem concerned. 

Your spo2 chart doesn't have a median, 95%, etc. like OSCAR, but looking at it, it looks like your baseline (middle most of the time) runs around 90 or so.  Maybe 91.  Normal should be around 96 or so. Example:  96 vast majority of time, some drops, some rises.  You are around 90, then some rises, and then frequent large drops too (even gets down to high 70's).  Definitely not normal IMO.

I wish the Lookee charts had the median clearly listed.  I went through the data.  The median level (50th % figure) for me is 90%.   Yes I agree something seems very wrong with the data. I need that medical-grade meter bad to get a solid assessment.

[cmpman1974]

The whole time I'm wondering I realized my pulmonary doc did an overnight O2 study using a professional firm/eqpt in June 2017.  No one said results were abnormal, but this proves there were many low saturations.  The average O2 level looks better, but this is also almost six years ago. A lot can change in that time. Apparently, my numbers did not meet requirements for supplemental O2.  At least that's how I remember it.  All that said, how can anyone say my BPAP therapy has ever been effective with these patterns?  I'm so confused.

I don't think once in 15+ years has any physician monitored CO2 output at night on me.

[cmpman1974]

I am not sure how I didn't qualify for supplemental O2 based on these guidelines:

https://document.resmed.com/en-us/docume...er_eng.pdf


2% of the time of approx 480 min of sleep = 9.6 min 88% and under O2 level, correct?  I am sure numbers worsened over the years too.  Maybe the ST-A machine will improve results as these were derived using my VAuto machine back in 2017.

[jeffpack1957]

I have extensive experience with the wrist unit, as long as your Perfusion Index is good, they are extremely accurate during Sleep and react faster than than my medical grade Masimo. Only place they tend to loose but eventually catch up is during movement. I wear my wrist unit 24x7, its how I determined I had Apnea. Sensor on thumb.

I switch hands every few days as to avoid perfusion issues with using same position for extended periods.

[cmpman1974]

I have extensive experience with the wrist unit, as long as your Perfusion Index is good, they are extremely accurate during Sleep and react faster than than my medical grade Masimo.  Only place they tend to loose but eventually catch up is during movement.  I wear my wrist unit 24x7, its how I determined I had Apnea.  Sensor on thumb.

I switch hands every few days as to avoid perfusion issues with using same position for extended periods.

I had the wrist unit and after 5 days, the grey cord started to come apart at the connection site to the micro USB input at the watch.  I really liked the watch.  They sent an Lookee O2 ring as replacement. I'm not as happy with that item as it seems to drop connection multiple times a night and breaks the O2 data file into 3-5 separate sessions.  It's very irritating.  I find the ring to be clunkier.  The wrist was a nice design, but sadly crappy made thin cord. Glad to hear the units have been accurate for you.

[jeffpack1957]

I charted your O2 that you presented, and you spend a signficant amount of time under 90%. You really dont want to be under 90% at all. I always encourage CPAP users to have overnight O2 oximetry, since CPAP machines dont provide that. An event on the machine, may be a severe hyponea, as in your case. I would definitely discuss Supplemental O2 with your PCP.

[cmpman1974]

I charted your O2 that you presented, and you spend a signficant amount of time under 90%.  You really dont want to be under 90% at all.  I always encourage CPAP users to have overnight O2 oximetry, since CPAP machines dont provide that.  An event on the machine, may be a severe hyponea, as in your case.  I would definitely discuss Supplemental O2 with your PCP.

Exactly my concern.  I have been thinking for years my sleep doctor was missing the boat with treatments and I have had no improvement in fatigue.  Makes a lot of sense with these poor numbers.  I imagine also outright dangerous as well.   I truly hope the new sleep practice takes it more seriously as my old physician released me from care 4-6 weeks ago.  The doc didn't think he could help me anymore.  I think there may have been some resentment I continued to push back with concerns, but I could be wrong.  I highly questioned my high leak rates over the years and then O2 levels. All that seemed to matter to the practice was that I used my machine constantly, which I always did for endless years.

[jeffpack1957]

Sadly I deal with Doctor issues far too often than I should ever have to.  Too many arent staying current, and just go by the book.  One time was so bad I came that close to filing a Board Complaint of what he did with someone.

In the end, I always urge that YOU are your best health advocate, no one else.  If a Dr isnt doing it, find another.  I think you will far ahead with another from the minimal data I see.

BTW< I require supplemental O2.  I treated my hypopneas with increasing O2, but once I started seeing bradycardia, that was the shot across the bow to get going on CPAP.

[Dormeo]

I'm glad you're determined to come away from tomorrow's appointment with a plan for the next steps. You probably don't need any of this, but just in case, here are some pointers for a productive appointment with a doctor:

Write down your observations and questions ahead of time.

Consider typing them up, printing them, and giving them to the doctor. Remember, the time with the doctor will be limited, and you want to use it productively.

If you have additional written materials, bring copies with you to give to the doctor. For you, that would include representative O2 data from your current oximeter.

Bring a family member or friend with you, to be a second pair of ears and a note-taker. This person can also remind you during the appointment if any of your observations/questions haven't yet been acknowledged/answered.

Find ways to express your respect for the doctor's specialized experience and knowledge while at the same time being ready to ask informed questions and request help beyond what is being offered.

[Jay51]

Simply getting supplemental o2 and setting up a bleed into your mask should improve spo2.