07-16-2023, 06:19 PM
Shortness of Breath - Low Oxygen level
I have tried for years to us a CPAP and have not been successful. Now I have low Oxygen levels during the day and night.
Here is a brief recent history.
May 2022: I had Sepsis and spent 9 days in the hospital. Unknown cause however, I no longer have a gallbladder, which was not the cause of the Sepsis. They were able to tell me this after looking at my gallbladder, once it was removed. The source may have been a UTI however lab testing did not confirm this. I had a lung CT that showed nodules and said to repeat in 6 months.
Several months ago I noticed that I had shortness of breath, difficulty going up starts. I do a water fitness class multiple times a week and also swim a couple of laps. I noticed that I am constantly huffing and puffing. I started check my O2 level on my apple watch and O2 had numbers were often in the the low 90's and would drop into the 80's.
I have seen 2 pulmonologists recently. (there was a long wait to see the 1st doctor) The only testing that showed anything as the 6 minute walking test, with numbers into the low 80', which was repeated on 2 different visits.
Doctor A concentrated on sleep apena and wanted to me to go back to using my CPAP. They have a program to help with adjustment. However I’m not sure that the CPAP will have an impact on my daytime O2 levels.
Dr B repeated my CT, without contrast, which was previously done 1 year earlier when I had Sepsis and showed 2 small nodules which had then disappeared and were thought to be inflammation. All of my lung testing was fine and doctor was saying that he did not think my issues were
pulmonology related until I did the 6 minute walking test. As soon as we started my O2 dropped to the low 80’s and doctor had me do it again with my other hand with same results.
He said that I needed Oxygen at night, since my oxygen could drop while I was sleeping and I would not be aware.
He ordered a test for blood clots, which was negative. On my follow up visit the doctor actually walked with me as I repeated the test. We walked at a very brisk walk part of the time with the same results. I have been sleeping with Oxygen for the past few months.
I was also taking a trip and needed a POC for travel. Doctor told that I would need Oxygen on the plane, which I laughed at, as I never needed Oxygen before. Surprise, the doctor was correct and my Oxygen fell into the low 80's again. I did not have access to my POC and had to use breathing techniques to get it up. (My friend next to me was a paramedic, which made me feel better) Doctor B said told me that he would see me in 3 months (meaning he was done with no answers but did call me back to follow up with my cardiologist)
I had started with the Cardiologist when I firsts thought I had a problem. He referred to to the Pulmonologist who is now sending me back to the cardiologist. I told the Cardio that they were both playing “Not It” and that one of them had to be “It” He ordered a TEE ultrasound and I see the Cardio on Tuesday for the results.
Pulmonologist A wanted me to use my CPAP
Pulmonologist B suggested I see a dentist that he works with for an Oral Appliance. I told him that my DDS said most fail with the Oral Appliance. He works with this this dentist has very good success.
I made an appointment with them for a few weeks however, it is pricey and may not be covered by insurance. They do lots of follow up, with repeat sleep studies.
I am trying to get a copy of my older sleep study that was done more than 5 years ago.
I have Brachycardi aand my heart rate drops below 50 multiple times a night.
I had Covid in 2021 was very sick, and spent a week in the hospital however, I did not need a ventilator. I remember a nurse telling me how she watch my heart rate at night that dropped into the 30’s, and was very concerned.
Sorry for the long history. I am looking for thoughts on my low Oxygen levels. Is it related to my Sleep Apnea. My prior sleep report indicates that I spent 69 minutes at Oxygen saturation less then 79%.
Any thoughts or suggestions? I am 62 years old feel exhausted. I am having difficulties at work and trouble remembering things.
11/21 sleep study info attached. as a PDF.
show Apnea's total 183 events, 162 Hypopneas, 21 Apneas,
REI 60
Mean O2 92%
56.9 minutes below 79%.
LInk to my 2017 entry with compliance results: Link to my 2017 info https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...=sandyelle
Here is a brief recent history.
May 2022: I had Sepsis and spent 9 days in the hospital. Unknown cause however, I no longer have a gallbladder, which was not the cause of the Sepsis. They were able to tell me this after looking at my gallbladder, once it was removed. The source may have been a UTI however lab testing did not confirm this. I had a lung CT that showed nodules and said to repeat in 6 months.
Several months ago I noticed that I had shortness of breath, difficulty going up starts. I do a water fitness class multiple times a week and also swim a couple of laps. I noticed that I am constantly huffing and puffing. I started check my O2 level on my apple watch and O2 had numbers were often in the the low 90's and would drop into the 80's.
I have seen 2 pulmonologists recently. (there was a long wait to see the 1st doctor) The only testing that showed anything as the 6 minute walking test, with numbers into the low 80', which was repeated on 2 different visits.
Doctor A concentrated on sleep apena and wanted to me to go back to using my CPAP. They have a program to help with adjustment. However I’m not sure that the CPAP will have an impact on my daytime O2 levels.
Dr B repeated my CT, without contrast, which was previously done 1 year earlier when I had Sepsis and showed 2 small nodules which had then disappeared and were thought to be inflammation. All of my lung testing was fine and doctor was saying that he did not think my issues were
pulmonology related until I did the 6 minute walking test. As soon as we started my O2 dropped to the low 80’s and doctor had me do it again with my other hand with same results.
He said that I needed Oxygen at night, since my oxygen could drop while I was sleeping and I would not be aware.
He ordered a test for blood clots, which was negative. On my follow up visit the doctor actually walked with me as I repeated the test. We walked at a very brisk walk part of the time with the same results. I have been sleeping with Oxygen for the past few months.
I was also taking a trip and needed a POC for travel. Doctor told that I would need Oxygen on the plane, which I laughed at, as I never needed Oxygen before. Surprise, the doctor was correct and my Oxygen fell into the low 80's again. I did not have access to my POC and had to use breathing techniques to get it up. (My friend next to me was a paramedic, which made me feel better) Doctor B said told me that he would see me in 3 months (meaning he was done with no answers but did call me back to follow up with my cardiologist)
I had started with the Cardiologist when I firsts thought I had a problem. He referred to to the Pulmonologist who is now sending me back to the cardiologist. I told the Cardio that they were both playing “Not It” and that one of them had to be “It” He ordered a TEE ultrasound and I see the Cardio on Tuesday for the results.
Pulmonologist A wanted me to use my CPAP
Pulmonologist B suggested I see a dentist that he works with for an Oral Appliance. I told him that my DDS said most fail with the Oral Appliance. He works with this this dentist has very good success.
I made an appointment with them for a few weeks however, it is pricey and may not be covered by insurance. They do lots of follow up, with repeat sleep studies.
I am trying to get a copy of my older sleep study that was done more than 5 years ago.
I have Brachycardi aand my heart rate drops below 50 multiple times a night.
I had Covid in 2021 was very sick, and spent a week in the hospital however, I did not need a ventilator. I remember a nurse telling me how she watch my heart rate at night that dropped into the 30’s, and was very concerned.
Sorry for the long history. I am looking for thoughts on my low Oxygen levels. Is it related to my Sleep Apnea. My prior sleep report indicates that I spent 69 minutes at Oxygen saturation less then 79%.
Any thoughts or suggestions? I am 62 years old feel exhausted. I am having difficulties at work and trouble remembering things.
11/21 sleep study info attached. as a PDF.
show Apnea's total 183 events, 162 Hypopneas, 21 Apneas,
REI 60
Mean O2 92%
56.9 minutes below 79%.
LInk to my 2017 entry with compliance results: Link to my 2017 info https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...=sandyelle
