allergic asthma attacks in morning with low of 77 to 88% oxygen level at sleep

[avaa420]

I am turning 62 in 09/12 and have lung damage due to a chemical spill at workplace. That was when I was about 29. I was told I had 50% lung damage but no lung disease. the old good news and bad-when I was 52, SSI patients get no help.  So during the summer/winter I am home bound. Or I have lung issues /infections etc. I had my oxygen level tested twice after my brain MRI showed lack of oxygen causing problems where I had a stroke at 17 but did not know it,only knew I had some kind of damage. I did not find out until 2002 that I had lesions on my optic nerves / some on each side of my brain and the old Lacunar Infarct in the lower right side of my brain. In 2000 I had some kind of attack that sent me spinning.. it wasn't until that last MRI that I found out about the lack of oxygen in a dangerous zone from 75 to 88% ..I suffer from short term memory loss and lost all the knowledge I knew about cooking and computer work.  
I had to beg for my doctor to tell me about this. I am on disability but I can't walk very far without running out of breath.Had a fresh bleed in same area that I had my stroke so my MRI exposed.
   AM I IN DANGER? I take two forms of oxygen capcules and spray each day and my morning are not as bad. I also found that on my oxygen machine I could turn up the volume of air to 5 and now I am sleeping better and not having attacks from merely getting up to use the bathroom..  can I die from this? forgive me for the long rant. I just never get an answer from any doctor.. NO TREATMENT just pain meds and I take all kinds of stress vitamins B12 A etc
thanx AM I IN DANGER?
***@****

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. the damage caused to the brain could be due to hypoxia.
The oxygen saturation should be maintained above 88% at all times or its likely to cause organ damage. So, try to limit your activities to keep it at that level. If its worsening, then you may need supplemental oxygen therapy.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Boddahfly]

I am so sorry you're going through that. It's tough to get healthcare when you're broke. I hope you get some answers. I'm glad to see that you have been able to control things a little better but I hope you can make it to a doctor to get some more help.

[avaa420]

Thank you for your ideas and information.  I was seen by my primary care dr on the 7th, who gave me less than 5 min to tell him what I have been going through with my health after not seeing him for the now mandated state policy that SSI patients get every 90 day Dr Visits / got a presummed appointment to be made with a lung dr and get the testing.  However finding one who takes medicaid is nearly impossible so I still go untreated.  I have managed to keep my oxygen level up to in the 90 to 95% during the day, The small testing device I bought to test myself helps me keep an eye on my oxygen level , I take those oxygen capsules and an oxy spray I found via this website link is helping. Here in Kansas, we who are disabled are treated like trash. Finding a doctor is harder than an Easter Egg Hunt. Not to mention that they do not run the tests that will tell me what is wrong. I was awake for 3 full days & nights only falling asleep late last night, woke with a migraine over my entire head, my sister had to feed my support pets and get me my meds. I could  not leave my bed until the meds took effect. I have no idea of when or how long it will be until I get a lung dr. I must be my own doctor and do holistic methods that I research online. I wished I did not live here it was bad even when I was middle class and had nice things and my health, all gone due to a poison that was banned from pest control use in 2000 too late for me. but thank you for you kind words of inspiration for me to look forward to search more. I kind of need to live in a Bluer State that cares more for the disabled and elderly folks with or without funds. " If I only knew back then"

[Boddahfly]

It does sound pretty serious, but you should be ok with the right treatment. Your oxygen is below normal and you have shortness of air on exertion because your lungs seem to have trouble keepin up with the demands.  You may have bronchiolitis obliterans. I think you should get a second opinion because you really should be on oxygen full time and possibly other treatments as well. As far as the pain killers, it's ok to take them but be careful because they attack the respiratory center. Good luck!