My husbands pulse ox jumps around

Posted by srasnick98 @srasnick98, Aug 30, 2023

So my husband who is 30, just had a check up annual of course and the doctor said he was healthy. I noticed on his vitals his pulse ox was 96. So I worried and bought a at home pulse ox. When taking readings his pulse ox will be at 96 then dropped at one point to 92 (we were riding in the truck talking) then back up to 95 where it stayed. He says he doesn’t feel short of breath and he isn’t blue and fingernails look good but I’m worried to death. I took it again today and it was 94 after he got done cleaning his truck and then between 94-96 then it rested again at 95. I just bought this pulse ox today it’s brand new from Walmart.

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marinovey | @marinovey | Jun 15 3:02pm

In reply to @rtmjohnson1 "Sorry, that’s SNIFF test." + (show)

I too have right diaphragm paralysis. Happened a week after thyroid surgery. I was on O2 24/7 but have gradually been able to give it up. I get a little SOB with activity sometimes but if I sit & slow down I am better. I think my body has adapted to the situation as my diaphragm is still paralyzed according to X-rays.Good luck & feel better!

Myak | @janet23 | Jun 16 10:12am

In reply to @vic83 "Yes, oximeters are "temperamental" and there is a difference between one and another for accuracy. My..." + (show)

Lookee Tech Sleep Pro and Nonin Connect are both continuous oximeters that measure oxygen levels constantly, including while you are moving. There may be others. I have both because they are FDA-approved.

Nonin Connect is larger and has a larger display, uses 2 AAA batteries, and will continuously display your oxygen level. Individual spot check values will display in their app on your phone, but it does not produce a summary report and it does not have an alarm.

Lookee Tech Sleep Pro is rechargeable, it does have an alarm and produces a nice summary report in the ViHealth app on your phone. I have used it for three years and my Sleep Medicine doctor recommends it to his patients.

I have attached screenshots from the ViHealth App of a report from February during a 1-mile indoor walk when I was not having a good day and exercising without oxygen. My average oxygen level was only 89%. The orange triangles show when the alarm went off showing drops less than 90%. The notes field is very helpful to document workout details, symptoms, and oxygen used.

I use the Lookee Tech Sleep Pro Oximeter when sleeping with oxygen and CPAP, driving to higher elevations with my portable oxygen, on a plane with my portable, and during my daily indoor walk.

Photo Edit
Last photo shows the display of your oxygen level while you are wearing the oximeter in the ViHealth app so you don't need to be looking at the device to know what your oxygen level is in real time.

vic83 | @vic83 | Jun 16 1:00pm

In reply to @janet23 "Lookee Tech Sleep Pro and Nonin Connect are both continuous oximeters that measure oxygen levels constantly,..." + (show)

Thanks so much for the info!!! That is what I am looking for. Which I had asked the question sooner. I bought an Oxiline which is supposed to be very accurate but not good for exercise

joky | @joky | Jun 21 8:18am

In reply to @rtmjohnson1 "Sorry, that’s SNIFF test." + (show)

I will definitely have them do a SNIFF test.

joky | @joky | Jun 21 8:21am

In reply to @janet23 "Lookee Tech Sleep Pro and Nonin Connect are both continuous oximeters that measure oxygen levels constantly,..." + (show)

I have an oxy ring that works well. Info is uploaded to my phone and can be accessed online. I hope it will help my pulmonologist "see" what is going on throughout the day. They have checked my night sleep o2 and are concerned about the up and down of my o2 but fail to understand that is is a 24/7 thing not just at night.

joky | @joky | Jun 21 8:40am

I have never had any lung issues. I have an inhaler that was prescribed for me at the beginning of this. Using the inhaler does not seem to help, as a matter of fact when albuterol was used during PFT it made it worse.
Continued activity will bring it down to 80 sometimes in the 70's. Same conclusions when tested at pulmonologist. I have the issue even while on oxygen.

lenchiksf | @lenchiksf | Jun 22 8:41am

In reply to @rtmjohnson1 "Sorry, that’s SNIFF test." + (show)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243467/
High-resolution CT of the lungs: Indications and diagnosis

Myak | @janet23 | Jun 22 11:53am

In reply to @joky "I have never had any lung issues. I have an inhaler that was prescribed for me..." + (show)

I am sorry you are having to go through this. I had a similar problem in 2020-2021. Cardiology and Pulmonoary did not believe my low oximeter readings at home. My Pulmonary Function Tests and Cardiology tests locally were normal, but I was fainting and dizzy during the day.

Have you had Sleep Study? My Sleep Medicine doctor repeated a Sleep Study showing drops in my oxygen drops to low of 72. He ordered home oxygen. The Lookee Tech Sleep Pro oximeter helped me know when I needed oxygen because it is continuous and has an alarm.

I self referred myself Mayo Rochester in 2022 and Cardiology diagnosed me with Heart Failure, Afib, and Pulmonary Hypertension. My need for oxygen is because of my heart and sleep apnea diagnoses.

I have slowly and consistently increased my indoor walking, and use oxygen when I need it. My heart is better and I don't need as much oxygen during the day when at home.

Are you considering a second opinion?