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Wildly fluctuating O2 levels
I’m experiencing wildly fluctuating o2 levels on finger oximeter. This morning already I’ve been everywhere from 71 to 99, especially while standing still.
I went to the ER June 3 with this and they couldn’t find anything. My pft of June 3 indicated restrictive lung disease. May or may not be due to Amiodarone.
I’m going to Mayo July 27 to see a pulmonologist.
Very scary and depressing.
I know if I go back to the ER they probably won’t find anything, and I read in my medical records that my pcp has diagnosed hypochondriasis(not the case, this is really happening).
Anyone else have this?
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Update on the fluctuating o2 levels.
I’m mostly recovered from Covid but the effects hung around for awhile.
I’ve started checking my o2 levels again and have gotten a few scares-in low to mid 80’s. It doesn’t stay there, but now I’m able to connect it with physical symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea.
I wish I’d had the oximeter with me at the dog park yesterday when I felt that suffocating feeling I’m so familiar with, plus sweating and visual changes. Yes, part of it may have been anxiety but I wish I knew. I was strong walking and able to walk around with the dog, so it’s a mystery.
Add to the stress the fact that I’m scheduled for my MAYO appt with
pulmonologist on Tues. I’m wondering if it’s ok to fly, as o2 levels in everyone drop in flight. I asked my pulmonologist here and he said he couldn’t answer that without a sleep study to see how low I go at night(been having some desat issues at night even with Cpap). However, they haven’t been able to get me in this week.
I did do the six minute walk test the correct way with this pulmo and it came out well.
So it’s up to me. I’ve made a personal decision not to use supplemental oxygen, so that’s not an option. I don’t want to get dependent on it. I watched my mom go down that road and it is like an addiction.
I know this forum is not for medical advice and I’m not seeking that. I just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation.
Sorry this is so long but I needed to vent. I’m stuck between taking the risk(which may not be that great; I’ve probably flown with this before and not even known it) to get to some of the best doctors in the world who probably can figure this out and playing it safe, putting off the appt again and waiting for the sleep study. 😟
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2 ReactionsHi Kudzu,
Have you gone to Mayo? Helpful?? I too have fluctuating O2 so understand the frustration and fright. Diagnosed as hypoxia, unknown cause. It's been years. I often don't think about it until I do, usually when something unexplained or out of the ordinary flares.
I know anxiety causes rapid heart rate and shortness of breath. I've had an anxiety disorder for years. But does it cause O2 sats to drop?
Yes, it can. It happened to both my daughter and my friend this week, resulting in ER visits!
Once relaxed, their heart rates & O2 returned to normal range.
The human body is amazing.
Sue
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1 ReactionI have the same thing going on I am reading your posts right now because I need answers. In my cause the hospital did see it too and the are at a loss after doing a ton of tests I am basically on oxygen all the time later because it goes so low then high then does it over and over all day.
I am going through the exact same thing and I have a scheduled sleep study. It is very scary.
Hello! I went through a similar thing with wildly fluctuating O2 levels after pneumonia/sepsis. I was told by many people that anxiety can definitely cause your O2 levels to dip.
The day that I finally had my pulmonologist appt I asked him that exact question. Can anxiety cause 02 sats to drop? He said absolutely not". He said anxiety can cause high heart rate but cannot cause low oxygen levels. He said anxiety has nothing whatsoever to do with oxygen sats. My jaw dropped because so many people including his nurse said anxiety can do this! So of course I became scared again. I even repeated the question to make sure he hadn't misheard me but he still said no. I know not every doctor is right about everything. If anyone knows different, please let me know! Thank you!
Oh Yvonne, I don't know what to tell you. I am no doctor, but I have personally watched O2 sats fall in my friends and my daughter. And watched them recover when I talked them through breathing exercises.
Stress and its companion anxiety cause a host of crazy health issues. My friend's blood pressure rises and falls dramatically when she is anxious (causing more anxiety, of course.) My young nephew gets very bad stomach pain when he is feeling anxious.
Here is an article that explains why this can happen:
https://psychcentral.com/stress/can-stress-cause-low-oxygen-levels
You have been doing fine for many months now - maybe you can begin to relax?
Sue
Aw Sue, I do appreciate everything you've done to ease my many worries. Yes I am improving steadily and my pulmonary function test on Feb 28 was good. I have another ct scan scheduled for April 27 and then the pulmonologist will see me May 10th and he will more thoroughly discuss the function test and whatever the upcoming ct may show. Believe it or not I've relaxed and upped the exercise. I was just surprised how even the nurse said anxiety affects 02 but then he said no. I'd heard so many times that it does.
I'm getting bored at home so am looking for work. And I dont even look at my scary toy anymore and I'm feeling really good! 🙂
Oh..P S. the only symptom I have left is when I lay down at night, I still have crackles on inhaling. 🙂