"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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CPAP use effect on blood oxygen levels.
I had a home sleep test a few months ago. Since I have Kaiser I have not seen a sleep apnea doctor, but a technician. The results were mild sleep apnea but with blood oxygen levels of 74% (They are in the 96-98% range during the day). That seems awfully low considering my number of episodes wasn't very high. They did a titration and have made the assumption that all is ok. I do have asthma which is considered to be mostly mild ( I had a pulmonary function test). I have a lot of nasal congestion at night. The technician is confident that my Oxygen levels are fine since I am using the CPAP. Is that a logical assumption? I am concerned that my blood oxygen levels may still not be normal since they were so low for having mild apnea. They see no reason to do a follow up home test or an in-facility test. Are they right that we can assume that my blood oxygen levels are now fine at night?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Janknitz on
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I have Kaiser, too, and they are very big on "evidence based" medicine. As far as they are concerned, successful CPAP use and good numbers is evidence enough that you are no longer desaturating, but I think it is quite possible to still be experiencing desaturations, especially if you are not feeling that great. Convincing Kaiser that it needs further testing without "evidence" of a problem can be tough, though.
If you have asthma and apnea, you can request a referral for a face to face consult with the pulmonologist--you may have to push your primary care doctor a bit. Just keep reiterating that you are not feeling much better and you are concerned that your sats were so low with only mild apnea. Put it in writing (email your doctor) because then they are more likely to address your concerns.
Ideally, Kaiser should be willing to do an overnight pulse oximetry on you--it really doesn't cost them anything EXCEPT the cost of the finger probe because I'm sure they have the loaner machines already. But convincing them it's necessary many be difficult.
A lot of people purchase their own recording pulse oximeter for peace of mind. It's another objective measurement of how you are doing. They are not too expensive ($100 to $150) and will answer your question whenever you want instead of trying to convince Kaiser every time. If that shows that low sat rates continue, there's the evidence you present to Kaiser.
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Yup, yup, what JanKnitz said. Request the overnight oximetry or purchase your own recording oximeter w/its own software. I bought the SPO 7500 several years ago and just last Christmas bought the ConTec CMS-50D+ (D Plus). I like both and both are FDA approved and do a very good job of reporting the data from a night's sleep.
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