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AHI and Oxygen Saturation Levels
So a few years back I went for some sleep studies because my GP thought I might have sleep apnea. After a few studies, the doctors said that my Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was 5.31...which is just barely mild sleep apnea. They tried me on a CPAP machine to see if it worked and it made me feel like crap.
So I went out and bought an oximeter with a recording function that I wear every few nights. My oxygen saturation seems to average at about 96/97, although every other night I have one or two "anomalies" where my oxygen saturation drops either to 88 or below (the lowest I've seen is 70), sometimes just under 10 seconds or up to 15 seconds.
My question is, are these anomalies okay so long as they're not happening close together? They're always at least an hour apart and I never see more than two to three a night. Just curious. I'm 31 years old and overweight. My oxygen saturation might be slightly lower than normal because I had my vocal nerve severed and repaired after a total thyroidectomy so sometimes breathing is a little harder than normal.
So I went out and bought an oximeter with a recording function that I wear every few nights. My oxygen saturation seems to average at about 96/97, although every other night I have one or two "anomalies" where my oxygen saturation drops either to 88 or below (the lowest I've seen is 70), sometimes just under 10 seconds or up to 15 seconds.
My question is, are these anomalies okay so long as they're not happening close together? They're always at least an hour apart and I never see more than two to three a night. Just curious. I'm 31 years old and overweight. My oxygen saturation might be slightly lower than normal because I had my vocal nerve severed and repaired after a total thyroidectomy so sometimes breathing is a little harder than normal.
Just watching O2 sat only tells part of the story. Look at your heart rate. If there is a corresponding increase in rate during apnea, you could be pushing yourself into cardiomyopathy.
Thanks, you unit sounds like a first order (weakest) sleep study - lower cost too : ) I may just try it - yes tape did occur to me too as an attachment method for the meter/recorder.
I think if I were able to get an oxygen level reading for a full nigh of sleep (not that I ever get one) it would suggest a path forward for me: 1) reading ar low, get a sleep tes, or 2) readings are normal, let it ride, maybe see a psychiatrist. I am a senior citizen and find growing old "ain't" easy, not for sissies. Up to about mid 60 years of age I was still able to manage aging with denial, that doesn't work very well when one can feel the body (sight/hearing/strength) going down hill. Sorry for the off topic, but felt like chatting about my thinking on how to use your good information to address my questions/needs. I guess that is why most of us come to this type forum. Solid answers would be better, but a movie line I remember, paraphrased: "you can't handle solid answers"... comes to mind in my case.
Hope you get some helpful answers.
I think if I were able to get an oxygen level reading for a full nigh of sleep (not that I ever get one) it would suggest a path forward for me: 1) reading ar low, get a sleep tes, or 2) readings are normal, let it ride, maybe see a psychiatrist. I am a senior citizen and find growing old "ain't" easy, not for sissies. Up to about mid 60 years of age I was still able to manage aging with denial, that doesn't work very well when one can feel the body (sight/hearing/strength) going down hill. Sorry for the off topic, but felt like chatting about my thinking on how to use your good information to address my questions/needs. I guess that is why most of us come to this type forum. Solid answers would be better, but a movie line I remember, paraphrased: "you can't handle solid answers"... comes to mind in my case.
Hope you get some helpful answers.
Nah, mine records everything--up to 36 hours of it. Usually I only need 8. You can set alarms for highs and lows and have the device go off if your SpO2 drops to a certain level. It's nice because it gives you a sort of graph when you review the data and shows you your oxygen saturation and your pulse.
You are right though--I've been able to easily remove the device from my finger at night unfortunately...heh. I've tried taping it on but that puts too much pressure on my finger.
You are right though--I've been able to easily remove the device from my finger at night unfortunately...heh. I've tried taping it on but that puts too much pressure on my finger.
Thanks, after making comments on the Oximeter I looked for them on Amazon and found some at a reasonable price, under $50, but I do not know if they had any recording capability. Does your unit record just the high/low, or is there a string of data? With the low cost of microprocessors and memory I suppose memory of several reading could be accomplished at affordable price. s
In any case, I have had them click/clamped on me at the doctor office and hospital and I know I toss around too much at night to expect one to stay on my finger over the sleep period.
In any case, I have had them click/clamped on me at the doctor office and hospital and I know I toss around too much at night to expect one to stay on my finger over the sleep period.
I think oximeters often read on the lower side because the readings are just a guestimate--I don't think they are 100% accurate. It is a device that clips onto my finger and when it is removed from my finger, the recording measures a straight, gray bar as opposed to a green line that might move up and down during the night.
I don't ever see a reading that low when I am awake, although I do not use the device when I am awake as much...more so just to test it out when I'm feeling like I might be a little short of breath.
I also have sinus congestion during the night and that's probably where part of my sleep apnea comes from. The pulse oximeter that I purchased is model CMS50D+. There are similar devices out there but I chose this one because of its recording function.
I don't ever see a reading that low when I am awake, although I do not use the device when I am awake as much...more so just to test it out when I'm feeling like I might be a little short of breath.
I also have sinus congestion during the night and that's probably where part of my sleep apnea comes from. The pulse oximeter that I purchased is model CMS50D+. There are similar devices out there but I chose this one because of its recording function.
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The little I know about this subject the only thing I recall is that reading is supposed to be very near 100%, i.e. , saturation level. So I would think a reading of 70 should be discussed with your doctor. Here, again, if you are confident the reading is accurate. Do you ever see a reading that low when awake?
I suffer from sinus congestion and I know it causes me some sleep problems, and I too could be experiencing low O2 in the blood level. I'd be interesting in where on can get a device such as the one you have.