I got some of the results back from my sleep study.  My ENT said that my oxygen saturation rate was 82%.  He seemed really upset by this.  Why?  What does it mean?  What is a normal oxygen saturation rate?  This is all so new to me.  I am having trouble comprehending all this.  I still haven't got past the fact that I stop breathing 86 times in a 60 minute period.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Oxygen saturation is the percentage of oxygen in the blood stream. Doctors become concerned when that percentage drops below 90%. It simple terms, at 82%, your brain other other organs are not receving enough oxygen to properly function.

To add to what Amos mentionned:
Oxygen saturation is the extent to which the blood is carrying as much oxygen as it is capable of doing. It is measured as a percentage.

Anyone's oxygen saturation level varies from one moment in time to another. If you had a full copy of your sleep study report you might see reference to peak saturation (the highest saturation seen during the study), average saturation, saturation nadir (the lowest saturation recorded during the study), among other terms. If you had a full copy of your report, you might see reference to the amount of time spent at your saturation nadir, or the percentages of time spent with saturation below certain points (such as 90%, 85%, 80%). These help place your saturation levels in a fuller context.

I would encourage you to request a full copy of your sleep study and I would recommend you review it carefully. There are people on this forum who can help you place this in context. I would also recommend that you review the report and what questions you might have about it with your sleep doctor (the one who interpreted your sleep study results).

Best wishes,
Bill

I would re-check to see if that 86 times you quit breathing was the total all night and not every hour. Get a copy of your sleep test. I'm sure it's possible but I have never heard of anyone who quit breathing that much. If it was 86 times the entire night, that would still be considered severe apnea.

babyblueeyes wrote:

I would re-check to see if that 86 times you quit breathing was the total all night and not every hour. Get a copy of your sleep test. I'm sure it's possible but I have never heard of anyone who quit breathing that much. If it was 86 times the entire night, that would still be considered severe apnea.

My AHI was 106.  That is by the hour not all night.   Apnea Hypopnia Index = AHI that is how all SA is rated.  There are people on this forum with higher AHI than mine.  

It is mind boggling but very possible.  When I think of that I just feel like some sort of miracle kept me alive.  In a normal night for me I had over 1000 times to not breath again.


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WOW....... How in the world did you function? That really is mind boggling. I don't know how anyone could live through that. Thank god for c-pap's huh..

babyblueeyes wrote:

WOW....... How in the world did you function? That really is mind boggling. I don't know how anyone could live through that. Thank god for c-pap's huh..

I had no idea I had SA until I had a sleep study done.  Function....well things have not gone well for me health wise for a few years now.  Now I have a real good idea why.  I couldn't get through the day without a nap, was dozing off in classes, having to pull the car over for a nap.  I can't say I like using CPAP, but I do like that I'm starting to feel human again and actually LIVE life rather than just exist.


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Hoax~Slayer Forums

Well that's good. At least the cpap is helping. Wish I could say the same. Still in that just existing stage waiting for this little miracle to happen and cure my 10 years of disabling fatigue. I'm not even sure how I'd begin to start living my life again after being so withdrawn from everything for so long. I haven't been able to wear my cpap everyday because of other problems it's inflicting, and I get a bit hopeless, to the point I'm in tears over it. But it's nice to hear that it's possible. Your apnea in an hour adds up to almost as much as my RDI the entire night. So if you can feel better, surely I can too in good time..

babyblueeyes wrote:

Well that's good. At least the cpap is helping. Wish I could say the same. Still in that just existing stage waiting for this little miracle to happen and cure my 10 years of disabling fatigue. I'm not even sure how I'd begin to start living my life again after being so withdrawn from everything for so long. I haven't been able to wear my cpap everyday because of other problems it's inflicting, and I get a bit hopeless, to the point I'm in tears over it. But it's nice to hear that it's possible. Your apnea in an hour adds up to almost as much as my RDI the entire night. So if you can feel better, surely I can too in good time..

You have to give it time.  Ask questions about your problems here.  I will bet someone can help you.  Part of being successful is being able to keep the mask on during every sleeping moment.  Don't give up and don't be shy.  Ask about what ever it is that is keeping you from being compliant.


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