Oxygen Titration

Can anyone tell me what is a Oxygen Titration test is about I will be having this tes on 4/9/08. It kinda scare me a little bit. What will they be doing for me doing this Titration.

[Sunny602]

What did your doc say about the test? Are they testing your oxygen levels at sleep, rest or during exercise? Let me know and I will do my best to help you out as far as description and what to expect. I have been a pretty good guinea pig LOL! Sunny

[diva2008]

They are going to be testing me as i do several 6 minutes walk as they give me Oxygen.

[Reirei]

This past January/February, I had the Oxygen Titration test for 6 minutes.  The test is no big deal, the respiratory therapist walked with me up and down the hall for 6 minutes with a pulse O2 monitor on my finger.  The test is designed to see if a person desaturates with their O2 level.  Since they are doing it with oxygen for you, it seems you will be wearing an O2 tank.  Good luck.

Reirei

[Sunny602]

Okay...I have had that done as well. Reirei described what goes on with that test well. There is nothing invasive about it, just have to wear an oxygen probe on your finger as they walk you either on a treadmill or up and down the hallway for  6 minutes. When the doc did that to me, my oxygen levels dropped...they also simultaneously upped my O2 levels until my oxygen level was greater than 90%.
Good luck and let us know how it went....Keeping you in my thoughts, Sunny

[diva2008]

Well I went for my Oxygen Titration and yes they walk me for 6 minutes my Oxygen only drop twice into the eighties and it's not really enough for the insurance to pay for so he want me to come back in two weeks for a stress test  and they will work me that way and if it drop even once and she have to add Oxygen then my insurance will have no problem paying for it. Well I will have to be sleeping with Oxygen at night because my Oxygen drop below 60 while i sleep so they are going to add Oxygen to my C-Pap machine.  

[Sunny602]

Insurances drive you crazy don't they? I am sure that a stress test will drop your levels if walking did it alone. I had O2 bled into my BiPAP when I was on that, it really helped me out. Do you have an oximeter at home? Some insurances cover it, I found that my oximeter was very useful in titrating my O2 (my doc gave me permission to do this). It might be worthwhile to look into it. Good luck with the stress test...let me know how it went. Sunny :)

[diva2008]

I have a question do you think he should have put me on Oxygen when he saw that mines drop twice by walking thru the hallway of the clinic even though I sat down and after a few seconds it came back up but as long as i'm sitting i dont have any issue with SOB but when walking around just about doing anything i can tell i'm losing some Oxygen. I just thought I would just ask

[Sunny602]

My doc did with me, but I guess it depends on the doc and insurance issues. I see that he is doing a stress test on you because the levels didn't stay down long enough? I bet that will be more definitive, you will no doubt work harder with a stress test than just walking....

If you really feel completely winded with any exertion, it wouldn't hurt to talk to the doc. I always thought that if you even hit those numbers that insurance companies would pay. Medicare paid for mine once I hit 88% and it doesn't necessarily have sit at that rate continuously, at least that is what my doc said to me. Maybe your insurance has different requirements for oxygen or your doc just wants to see what happens. No doubt you drop your levels, for most insurance companies that would be enough. But, I am not your doc, so it is wisest to ask him why he didn't start you on O2, maybe he has different reasons that he didn't discuss with you.
I will keep you in my thoughts, Sunny

[diva2008]

I want to thank you so much for the kind words. I did leave a message with the doctor telling him of my concerns about the results I had. I drop to 88 and 87 percent twice while just walking that little hallway. The tech was saying that insurance wouldn't pay but I call my insurance today ad I told her what test I had and what happen and she said he could have started me on something if only I just use it when I'm going to be walking alot or execising at my Rehab i'm in. I explain to him how I feel and i'm tired of feeling SOB. I do have Severe Dyspnea so I will see if he calls back. I do go and see my Cardiologists Monday and I will talk with him about Oxygen since I do have Severe Dsypnea when walking or trying to exercise. I did found out that My insurance will pay for me a Pulse Oximeter so I was happy with that also. Well thank you again for listening and I will keep you posted.  

[Sunny602]

Cool! I am glad that you talked with your insurance company....it makes sense that if he writes the order like that (patient to wear O2 at 2lpm during exercise for example) that the insurance company would cover it. Especially now that you know that they do, I am happy that you put a call into him to reconsider ordering that O2. I know that you will fee much better with it, I know I did as much as I hated that nasal cannula. Please do keep me posted! Sunny :)

[diva2008]

Hello well I went to see my Cardiologist today and we talk about my Severe Dyspnea. We also talk about my Stable Angina and I'm still having chest pain. He increase my Imdur so I take 60 Mg in the morning and 30 Mg at night and I still take my Nitroquick when needed. He order me a Pulse Oximeter and he order me some Oxygen to use when walking and exercising. I should have it by the end of the week My Oxygen. Oh ya Tomorrow night I go for a Re- Titration of my C-Pap with added Oxygen to see how much Oxygen I will need at night to go alone with my C-Pap. Wish me luck that everything goes well. I will keep you posted Sunny602

[Sunny602]

I sure will! I am so glad that the cardiologist listened to you and are finally getting that O2  to help with the shortness of breath, also kudos on getting the pulse oximeter.
Good luck tomorrow night with the titration of O2 with the CPAP...I went through this when I was placed on BiPAP, they upped my O2 until my sats were above 90. I wound up bleeding 2 L of O2 into the BiPAP.
Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts, Sunny :)

[diva2008]

Hey They going to do the Re-Titration on Friday because I had to wait until the Oxygen van come out to my house. They were very nice of explaining how everything goes and how to use the Oxygen. I'm only getting 2 liter per minute but it should feel good to know I'm getting help with my Dyspnea now. I have a good Cardiologist and I'm going to keep him by my side. He always listen to me. He did up my meds though but it's find Because I do have Coronary Microvascular Heart Disease so that is way I have Angina and some of my Dyspnea comes from. Well will keep you updated with me.    

[Sunny602]

Good...everything seems to be moving the right way for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Believe me, you will feel better with O2...if they haven't already done this, make sure that you get humidification with the oxygen. Without it, your nose will crust up. I made the mistake of being 2 weeks without the humidifier and had such a sore nose. If your nose gets sore, try water based lubrication (no petroleum products such as vaseline) inside your nares. KY works very well. There is also a product called Ayr (sp?) sold in drugstores. Good luck my friend...Sunny

[diva2008]

Thank You..... Everything is moving right along I did get my Oxygen(4 tanks) and a big Machine that sits in my bedroom that plugs into the wall. Today they brought(4 little tanks that goes in a bag to carry on my shoulder) I went for a walk yesterday and it felt good to walk without trouble. I also got my Pulse Oximeter today and everyone was wonderful in helping out. I thank you for all your kids word and advice. i'm so glad you are on this forum. Thank you MY Friend!!!      

[Sunny602]

(((HUGS))) to you...I am just a click away if you have any more questions or just want to vent. Sunny :)