Healthy Man with Asymptomatic Fluctuating SP02

Posted by graceis @graceis, Jun 7 1:50pm

Hi - I am a pretty fit 56 year old male on ASV therapy and believe fully recovered from walking pneumonia about 9 days ago where I was shortly hospitalized for supplemental oxygen. What I was experiencing then and now (it did stop for about 4 days) are SP02 stats that go from mid to low 90s to 80s and even mid 70s and during it I can't notice a thing. If I take a conscious deeper breath I can get back to 90s quickly but its a yo yo. I am also on buprenorphine therapy (several years). How can I not be feeling any symptoms? The data is confirmed on multiple devices including a high end ring that records in detail. I unfortunately can't paste in my chart but it confirms 2 minutes in 70 to 79 and 90 minutes in 80 to 89. Thank you!

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frouke | @frouke | Jun 8 9:03am

I’m not very familiar with this except after lung surgery I had to use the same thing, I think it’s normal for it to fluctuate, you mentioned that it would go up when you take a deep breath…you also mentioned that there are no symptoms which is good because if you do get symptoms when your oxygen level is low it can indicate a underlying problem, it should eventually settle down because you recently had pneumonia and it takes time to recover completely. I would keep an eye on it and if you feel that it’s not improving you can check back with your doctors, best wishes.

punkybauer | @punkybauer | Jun 8 12:48pm

I have emphysema and I get fluctuations too but for me it is more understood. I don’t think you should be dropping into the 70’s much and I would ask the Dr about it for sure. I have recently been having troubles with breathing, and 02 levels that I think are related to humidity/weather. Is it possible the weather is affecting you?

vic83 | @vic83 | Jun 8 1:40pm

Have you seen a Pulmonologist and have you had a pulmonary function test? That would tell you if your lungs were functioning to expected capacity, and if you have an obstructive or restrictive issue and if your O2 drops with exertion. Pneumonia can scar your lungs and that causes loss of function.
A healthy O2 saturation level is 95%-100%. One does not want to go below the safe zone of 90%. Low O2 can damage organs

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