Oximetry Without Inputting Data Into SleepyHead?

[VisitorX]

I'm trying to keep my life simple and I am wondering whether I can still get substantial value from collecting oximetry data even if I don't sync that data into SleepyHead or related programs. To focus this a bit more, I'll ask three specific questions:

1) Once I have the oximetry data, and work out the bugs and hassle in acquiring it, how much more effort and headache is involved in getting that data into SleepyHead?

2) Can I get substantial value from oximetry data simply by displaying the data on a table (or however it displays on its own), and then (based on the time) visually comparing the oxygen saturation numbers with waveform events in SleepyHead, assuming the events are not too close together?

3) Even if I don't compare the oximetry data with the SleepyHead waveforms at all, could it still be very valuable to consider oximetry data as stand-alone information: a kind of separate stream of mental input for trying to understand if I'm improving, worsening, or staying the same?

Thank you.

[Walla Walla]

Sure you can use it alone. Your just checking to ensure your O2 levels aren't dropping too low. If you buy a recording oximeter that you can wear on your wrist it'll come with it's own software. I know the one I have can also be uploaded into sleepyhead with little fuzz. But you could print it out and just compare it to sleepyhead charts also. I only use mine about once a month or two. I have to back track after seeing your other post. I'm pretty sure the software that came with my oximeter was windows only. That might be a sticking point.

[HDCowboy]

So just out of curiosity what are normal O2 levels anyway? How much is too low? The Reason I ask is that I just bought a CMS50D+.

[Walla Walla]

Depends on who you talk to. Medicare uses 88% as their cutoff. Most Doctors will say anything below 92% - 90% is too low.

[HDCowboy]

Medicare uses 88% as their cutoff.

Cutoff from what?

[Walla Walla]

Medicare uses at or below 88% for 5 minutes or more non-continuous to determine if they'll approve supplemental Oxygen.

[PaulaO2]

Normal sleeping O2 is 92 or above. Some sources believe 90 or above is good.

What you want to look for in your oximeter data is
how low do you go,
how long do you stay there,
and how often does it happen.

[VisitorX]

HD - Three ideas:

1) just try googling that;
2) You can also use the search engine right here at the forum to see what you can find in terms of people's other posts; maybe click no the search in title only button, and use a term like "normal oxygen" or "normal O2" (or add the word levels, but that might narrow the results a bit)'
3) If you need more details, and can't find an existing post, you can post a new question

A favor: please don't pursue this question at this thread. I'd like to keep it focused on the title of the thread and the questions I asked. No offense intended at all. Just trying to get the info I want without diversion. Good luck on your pulse oximeter path!