Wildly fluctuating O2 levels

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

For the past year and a half, my spo2 has ranged fro 72% to 100%. No rhythm or reason does it drop. I have had work ups by both cardiology and pulmonary and neither can find the reason. It has happened in office as well. It doesn’t stay down long maybe a minute, two at most. Have you found out anything on why yours does this?

Are you still reading this string regarding fluctuating O2 levels?

As I, too, have had fluctuating oxygen levels. So, I've been doing research and it seems to correlate with COVID that I had in a bad way a year ago. I've been monitoring my stats for several months. What I've found to make sense for me is that it has to do with (injured) mitochondria in cells that are responsible for energy, particularly in muscle cells, and the heart is a muscle. I think that my heart has been struggling periodically due to this, causing my O2 to go down to 92%. I learned about activity induced exertion and that if you have it, it needs to be healed before aerobic exercise is advisable. So, I've tried to do weight-based exercise when I can, while minimizing the urge to push myself (in general), which has caused me to hit brick walls of fatigue, or to have heart palpitations or high heart rate (I was always low before, even too low). For my heart, I have been taking a small dose (~1/4t - 1/8t) of Japanese Knotweed powder in the morning (IMO a better form of resveratrol) and resisting the urge to overdo it. I've been avoiding aerobic activity, since I learned about activity induced fatigue related to COVID.

I have had general anxiety, but it turned into an actual symptom from when I had a bad bout a year ago. I did some more reading and it seems that part can be from brain inflammation. They also spoke about clots, and I happened to have a clot in my intestines last year. I know there's a gut/brain link.

What I'm doing to improve inflammation, overall, and to recover from spike is to consume products with shikemic acid, high a.m. doses of Vitamin D3 (up to 10k UI/day, though I've heard that more can be taken short term when needed). Of course, ~20min of sun/day w/o sunscreen is supposed to be best, if can). I pair it in the p.. with dose of K2 (to make sure calcium is ushered into my bones where it belongs). I take Omegas (3 & 9), and Spermidine, which seems to have helped my energy level. Since C can block calcium, I take a plant-based version of Vitamin C for anti-oxidants ( well after my vitamins that contain calcium) (ex: camu camu) several times/day (I avoid ascorbic acid, which is made from black mold grown on GMO corn).

I also take supplements that escort debris/parasites out of the body. I think this part is very important. (Neem, activated charcoal, pine tea, anise tea...). Slow-release melatonin is supposed to be very effective, but some people get nightmares (I did). We used 10mg or less (can cut it). I believe that they help with autophagy.

Some treatments I want to try are HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen), possibly get my blood cleaned (EBOO)... I'm still looking into those.

What I do find particularly important is keeping myself grounded and emotionally regulated. I have to be good with saying no and with not being a people pleaser since I need to prioritize my own self-care. I have to be my own advocate with gentle conviction. That hasn't been easy, but I'm empowering myself in the kindest way I can.

I hope that my share helps people.