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Thanks for the reply, Sue.
No, I was not blue and if I hadn’t checked it I would not have known other than maybe slight shortness of breath or lightheaded ness. I’ve seen readings like that before on a different meter. I think it’s me. Another possibility is that they suspect I have Reynaud’s and the circulation to my fingers was not good. I have seen my palms and the soles of my feet turn blue intermittently(they were cold). Oddly, at that time the readings were normal if I recall right. If I start moving around the cyanosis goes away.
No, such readings have not been noted in the doctor’s office. It’s usually high 90’s in there.
If I hadn’t gotten pictures on my phone I don’t think they would have believed me. I have a series of pictures taken in a span of 60-90 seconds that go from 75-98. I was standing and talking on the phone during the whole thing.
I wonder if this is postural, something like pots or orthostatic hypotension. I do have lowish blood pressure that fluctuates quite a bit.
I also notice low readings in the car after I’ve been sitting still though not that low-maybe 91. Although I was sitting very still in the car looking at a map and caught a reading of 77 back in March. Didn’t last long. Shallow breathing?
I’m also looking at when it happens. Right now I’m taking a close look to see if it correlates with exertion at all. I’m a gym rat and if it’s happening, it’s either intermittent or I’m just not catching it. I’ve checked the oximeter while on treadmill and stepclimber and it stays high 90’s except for occasional dips into high 80’s that are transient.
It’s very wierd. I’ve had it dip into the mid 80’s walking around a parking lot, felt nothing, and kept walking. Took a few minutes but came back up to high 90’s and stayed there.
The really odd thing is that it doesn’t seem to last long.
Sorry this is so long, but it’s a wierd thing that’s mysterious.
Can’t wait to get to Mayo. If anybody can nail it, they can.
Replies to "Thanks for the reply, Sue. No, I was not blue and if I hadn’t checked it..."
Hello,
YES! I have been having this problem for about two years now. I am 69 and have always been fairly healthy and always very active physically.
I had COVID that lasted for several months starting in January of 2022. I was hospitalized for three days (unbelievably, due to a telemedicine doctor telling me to drink lots of licorice root tea to help treat COVID for its medicinal qualities and it ended up depleting my potassium and I gained 10 pounds of fluid overnight), but while in the hospital it was discovered I had two prolapsed heart valves (and no, before COVID, I never had any heart issues). My mitral valve was "almost severe" and my aortic valve was "moderate." Nearly 8 months later follow up visits showed my valves had improved and the plan for repair surgery was cancelled. I see my cardiologist at Cedar's Sinai approximately every 6 months now and things are "stable."
However, during this time it was discovered I also have variable 02 rates which go from the mid 80's to normal (95+). This was initially discovered after a sleep study test because I kept waking up feeling out of breath, however, I was informed I do not have sleep apnea. Doctors have not been able to find the problem and truly don't seem concerned at all because my "levels are not consistently at 88 or below." Sorry, but I AM concerned because this is NOT NORMAL! After a 5 hour airplane ride this last summer, where out of curiosity I monitored my 02 rates during the entire trip, my 02 remained consistent at 86.
My cardiologist told me this is not related to my heart valve issues. I also saw a pulmonologist in 2022 and had a lung test, CAT scan (I do have a small spot on my lung that is not changing), and my GP has "no idea" what could be causing my problem. I have also been diagnosed with 3 autoimmune diseases in the last 2 years: small fiber neuropathy, Vitiligo, and Lichen Sclerosis.
I sleep with 02 support at night (1 to 2 liters) to avoid waking up gasping for breath and to help me sleep better knowing my 02 levels are adequate. However, for the most part, during the day, I can not tell when my 02 levels are low.
NO ONE has been able to tell me WHY my 02 levels are so erratic. It is frightening for me and I want to figure out WHY this is happening.
Your post is over a year old... have you been able to find out anything more? I hope you are doing well.
Sincerely,
Sharon Hunt
Get the O2ring or something like it to document actual data with time stamps .
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Did you ever receive a diagnosis? I have been dealing with the same thing for over a year now. I did an overnight sleep study and was diagnosed with nocturnal hypoxemia....I was at 88 for about an hour. They put me on supplemental oxygen for sleep and it seems to be helping, but I do still get dips in my o2 levels in my sleep....sometimes as low as mid 70's. I did a pulmonary function test and it was normal, but when I walked a few laps in the office with my dr and had the o2 reader on finger he could see that I would have sudden random drops...as low as 93 and he wasn't expecting to see that. I get that same feeling of my chest having this kind of sqeezing feeling or heaviness and then lightheaded. The lightheadedness is what lets me know that its happening. My gut feeling is that it is neuromuscular or something with my nervous system. Its like something is short circuiting. I saw cardiologist and my heart was fine, but I do get mild arrhythmias and have bradycardia. I would just like to be able to help guide the doctors to the right tests I guess. It is the weirdest thing and does not make sense to any of the doctors. They thought for sure I had obstructive sleep apnea, but I "shocked" them.