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Wildly fluctuating O2 levels

Lung Health | Last Active: Jan 27 8:24pm | Replies (196)

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@jking11
Wow! I can relate to your fear and anxiety!
I too would get very scared when my readings would drop. I took a lot of pictures on my phone too.
Just like you though, the drs and staff would say the readings weren’t accurate.
I finally sought help from Mayo Clinic in Rochester Mn.
They did an overnight o2 study while I was using my CPAP and got reassuring levels, mostly in the 90’s.
I also did a VO2 max stress test there, and apparently the o2 levels under stress were alright. They measured at my forehead.
I finally decided that if I could exercise and exert, and Mayo didn’t find anything dire, that I was simply going to stop checking it for my own mental health.
I think the feeling was that it had something to do with the circulation in my fingers. Where are you measuring when you see the low levels?
If you are not already, try using a CPAP to see if that makes a difference. It did with me.
I’d also reach out immediately to a dr and get something to calm you down. I take Xanax as needed and it really helps me sleep. Sleeping pills did nothing. I was out for two hours then wide awake the rest of the night.
You wrote that your sleep study results were very bad. Was that the number of apnea events, the o2 levels, or both? They should have ordered some sort of treatment for you.
Also, do you exercise? That might tell you a lot. I found being able to work out not only reassuring but it helped my mood immensely.
I commend you for taking care of your mom. Also take care of yourself. Let us know what happens please.

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Replies to "@jking11 Wow! I can relate to your fear and anxiety! I too would get very scared..."

@kudzu Thank you for responding. So, my number of apnea events and Oxygen levels were of concern to them. They said it was severe sleep apnea. I was put on a bi-pap with supplemental oxygen for night. It definitely helped a lot. You asked about where I was taking the O2 readings and it was on my fingers on the hand that goes numb most often. I never even thought that it could just be poor circulation in my hand causing the lower saturation readings. That is actually a comforting thought because I was thinking much worse. I will look into that a little more because in cold weather my hands, but especially my left hand and feet go numb almost immediately and will turn pale until warmed up. Coffee and Dr Pepper also makes my hands and feet tingle. The doctors ignored that and said they had no clue what would cause that unless I had an allergic reaction. But, if my circulation was already restricted, maybe the caffeine amplifies the restriction. So maybe it is poor circulation to my extremities. I found out that there is something called Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS), it’s harmless but I have it for sure. I have even been tricked by the exploding sounds in my head and thought they were real. I feel kind of embarrassed about calling the police once and accusing my neighbor of shooting my house. Luckily they found no evidence and left probably wondering why I said that, lol. I mentioned hearing the sounds to my doctor once but he looked at me like I was crazy and didn’t even respond to what I said. After writing it in the comment section I googled it for the first time and instantly was comforted by knowing I wasn’t crazy. I don’t exercise but I’m going to start. I did a stress test at the heart hospital years ago and they said I was just in bad physical shape and said there was nothing wrong with me. They suggested that I exercise but I honestly didn’t believe anything they said because I knew something was wrong. But the severe sleep apnea and lack of sleep may be my biggest problems. I might look into something like you mentioned to help me sleep but I have a CDL and don’t want to jeopardize that. I am not professionally driving right now but with the bi-pap I would not get as tired driving. I really appreciate that you responded with kind words and great advice. I honestly feel so much better just thinking that my issues are probably not life threatening and that gives me motivation to work on improving my life instead of giving up. I really pray that you are blessed.