app1nag - Therapy Assistance Thread

[Possum]

Sleepyhead gives you the option to sync CPAP and oximetry data with respect to time by either relying on the internal clocks of the CPAP and oximeter, which is generally not recommended unless you are prisitine about ensuring the time is correct on both devices, or you can sync the data manually by simply starting the two devices at the same time.

[membus]

Hi app1nag,

I also got the CMS 50D+ and used it twice in 2 weeks. The second was last night. I had woken up at 5 am and was awake for an hour and then had another hour to sleep. I decided to sleep without APAP and see how my SpO2 would be.

When importing the data to SleepyHead I chose the option where you can select a previous sleep session, as I started them both at the same time. When checking the graphs I see that the synch is fine.

As Possum already mentioned 0 oxygen levels means you are dead. Just try this if you want (I did try): With the oximeter attached to your finger, hold your breadth for as long as you can without pushing too hard and you'll see the drop in SpO2 levels maybe after 10-15 seconds.

Regarding the drop in SpO2 levels during 2am, I can only say that they may be due to some misreadings caused by the oximeter moving on the finger. I you haven't done it, I suggest you fix the unit to your finger with a medical tape which won't leave any adhesive residues once off. This will ensure a better reading throughout the night.

[nsherry61]

All the big spo2 drops are also associated with gaps in the data for both pulse and spo2, so the advice from membus above is right on. You are almost surely dealing with instrumental artifacts that will likely not occur once the instrument is stabilized on your finger.

[Possum]

I was also tempted to dismiss the drop around 1:50 to 2:30 AM as artifactual due to the probe moving out of a good reading position, but artifacts don't typically last that long nor do they suddenly recover unless you wake up and reposition the probe on your finger. And you're male, so I don't imagine you have residual nail polish that's interfering with the readings intermittently.

I would continue to gather additional oximetry data, at least a week's worth. That will give you a better sense of what's actually going on with your SPO2 levels during therapy. Also, I'm not sure which finger(s) you use for the probe, but I've found that my middle finger generates the cleanest signal with the fewest artifacts.

[app1nag]

I had a small rubber band around the device and my pointer finger. Sometime during my sleep, my finger became irritated so I quickly shifted it to my index finger, but did not secure it with the rubber band. I will try with medical tape tonight.

[membus]

I will try with medical tape tonight.

What I did was not only tape the oximeter, but also made one round around my finger and tied it to the oximeter, so it wouldn't come out. Did it like this because my first time I had only taped the oximeter to have a firmer grip but that didn't help and it came off.

[app1nag]

its a real pain in the butt to get a good night's sleep

[eseedhouse]

As Possum already mentioned 0 oxygen levels means you are dead.

You will be dead long before the levels reach 0. After you are dead the oxygen in the now non circulating blood will have nowhere to go, so I would be surprised if the level ever reached 0.

I remember watching a documentary where a man who had climbed to the south col of mount Everest measured his O2 levels at 35%! He was still coherent and managed the extra 3000 or so meters of altitude to the summit with just his lung power. Heaven knows what they were at the summit.

Of course he was a highly fit athlete at sea level and spent a long time acclimating to the altitude before the summit push.

[membus]

I remember watching a documentary where a man who had climbed to the south col of mount Everest measured his O2 levels at 35%!

I'm sure if I'd seen 35% O2 levels in my PSG, I'd have a heart attack Thanks for the info..

[app1nag]

[attachment=2060] so here is last night with minimum pressure bumped to 12 and tape around the oximeter...not feeling as rested as the prior night but O2 levels look good.


Any idea what the gray bars (in flow rate graph) represent? I get them occasionally but some nights I get none. The manual refers to green bars in the flow rate graph, but not gray.

thank you !