Cancer fighter with diabetes and low pulse ox due to pain meds

Posted by jenfights @jenfights, Apr 9 11:06pm

So I have cancer. I have a tumor on my tailbone. I’ve been on oxycodone for a year now. It really is the only thing I can take. I am very sensitive to so many things. I also have sleep apnea. Lately I’ve noticed my pulse ox is going a bit low. It fluctuates between 88-98. I have no other issues. My finger pinch test is normal. My nail and lip color is normal. I am not struggling to breathe. (Other than when I doze off I immediately have apnea). If my pulse ox drops I can take a deep breathe and sit up to get it to go back up to 93-98. I have mentioned this at ER before. It was even at 93 at the ER. They didn’t care. Said it was normal to fluctuate. I have noticed that I am a little more tired lately and my pain is more severe. When my pain is really bad it exhausts me. I have a lot going on, I know! There are just so many conflicting answers regarding pulse ox. And it doesn’t take into account situations. Some say fluctuations are normal as long as I can get it back up by standing or taking a deep breath. Some say it is even normal for it to drop to 86 real quick then go right back up. Others say no, absolutely not. My problem is that if I try to go to ER, it will just read “normal”. I also think that my blood sugar might have something to do with all of it too. It seems like when I have too much sugar I get carb overload and get very tired. Being tired makes me too relaxed with the oxy and I doze off. Which causes apnea. Which all causes low pulse ox.
For anyone who actually read though all of this - THANK YOU!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 11 3:03pm

Hi @jenfights, I moved your question to the Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/ as well as the Diabetes support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/ to help you connect with others.

There are several discussions about managing cancer and diabetes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

Have you discussed these fluctuations and inconsistencies with your oncologist? Are you currently in treatment for cancer?

jenfights | @jenfights | Apr 11 5:25pm

Thank you! Yes I am currently in treatment and have an appointment on Wednesday. I will definitely be sharing this with my Dr- again.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Apr 15 7:39pm

@jenfights Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. (Thank you @colleenyoung for putting this discussion in the Diabetes Endocrinology group.) I do not have cancer but I do have 51 years of diabetes. I also have obstructive sleep apnea. I use a CPAP machine while sleeping. During the time that I was being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and set up with the CPAP machine my pulse oxygen was checked frequently. I had access to a nocturnal oximeter. Maybe a similar device and data collection could provide insights to your provider to help you. I can only imagine what a balancing act it must be controlling pain due to your cancer, regulating blood sugar due to your diabetes and just plain breathing. Everything is interconnected.

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