Wildly fluctuating O2 levels

@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.

@kudzu Muscles need oxygen to move your joints so it is like being on too low electricity or battery. Yiur brain is one of your biggest muscles so of course it is not functioning and people get confused which I believe many in the medical profession take avantage of. They have zero personal experience.

@kudzu Do you sleep safer propped up
Lie on your side. Thousands died on covid because they were left on their back propped up a bit causing too rich blood to collect in the small of the back which the alveoli cannot use the oxygen from.

Hello, yes I have fluctuating pulse ox usually sitting around 92 that goes all the way down to 86 and has started finally going up to about 97 but still sit slower no rhyme or reason for the drop and oxygen levels blood gas was 62. Yes, do you have some arrhythmias no heart issues. Everything came back. Clear lungs came back clear. The walking test did fluctuate into the 90s oxygen test at night. Had a two hour drop to 80 staying at 88 now on 2 L of oxygen at night, they are doing a sleep study to roll out sleep apnea. Do you have asthma? Did end up being exposed mold and had pneumonia bronchitis, and an upper respiratory infection during that time they don’t understand the drops in the oxygen levels. Yes, I do feel short of breath I do and I am having trouble concentrating remembering things I am a little dizzy and off-balance. Just curious if anyone else is having drops like this without them being able to figure out what’s going on really getting concerning and stressful.

Hello, yes I have fluctuating pulse ox usually sitting around 92 that goes all the way down to 86 and has started finally going up to about 97 but still sit slower no rhyme or reason for the drop and oxygen levels blood gas was 62. Yes, do you have some arrhythmias no heart issues. Everything came back. Clear lungs came back clear. The walking test did fluctuate into the 90s oxygen test at night. Had a two hour drop to 80 staying at 88 now on 2 L of oxygen at night, they are doing a sleep study to roll out sleep apnea. Do you have asthma? Did end up being exposed mold and had pneumonia bronchitis, and an upper respiratory infection during that time they don’t understand the drops in the oxygen levels. Yes, I do feel short of breath I do and I am having trouble concentrating remembering things I am a little dizzy and off-balance. Just curious if anyone else is having drops like this without them being able to figure out what’s going on really getting concerning and stressful.

@mistibfaith YES! I thought i was getting dementia! Pulmonologist believes the oximeter is faulty. The watch too! Last year at the suggestion of a friend I have oxygen at night. The sleep study didn't show apnea, but at altitude my O2 was at 88. Still swings wildly, but not with oxygen. In the past year I pushed to find out and am still learning! I learned I have a PFO (aka hole in heart), had a stroke years ago ( Dr's thought it was a concussion earlier), lung nodules, and have SVTs. The Pulmonologist still says its my heart and the cardiologist says its my lungs. Chat GPT says I need to do lung exercises for breathing. The last test i begged for was a CPET. It claims its the heart not beating fast enough to keep up with my oxygen needs. Over the year of my testing, My osteoporosis and cholesterol has gotten worse. My pthrp test was high so i had a PET scan which came back negative. I am still researching. I will continue to do the work of a doctor as we all know they can't possibly spend the amount of time on your health as you can. Mayo clinic is possibly in my future.

@gigipigi Just wanted to let you know that Repatha cut my cholesterol numbers in half in about three months. It shouldn’t affect any osteoporosis medication that you might take.

@mistibfaith oh BTW, only the samsung watch shows the oxygen levels during the night. All others to my knowledge show an average O2, including the Oura ring. My husband has an apple watch, my daughter in law has a garmin watch and I also have an Oura ring. I feel blessed or cursed but its because of my samsung watch I learned about my O2 issues.

Update: I felt lightheaded a little bit ago, checked o2 and got 80. Took meter off and on to check for good contact, and got 83. It climbed within about a minute to 99. Again I was standing still and had been talking. Blood pressure was not low. Checking frequently right now and it is fluctuating a lot both up and down. Wierd.
The good news is it doesn’t appear related to exercise as I took a rest day from the gym yesterday.