Low Oxygen Saturation Level

[Fred's Dad]

Wondering if anyone has experienced low oxygen saturation levels?  I went to a pulmonary specialist for a consult on sleep apenea.  Took the pulse, blood pressure, etc. and then said "ohhh your oxygen saturation level is 84%.  Kind of low."  He then set me up for a sleep study.  Anyone else experience the same?

[ayl291]

Lots of causes.  Do you have symptoms?

[Spark801]

You can get a pulse oximeter at Walmart for about $30

[CookE67701]

I have the exact same thing, low oxygen level 84 and nobody knows why.  All my tests show normal.  So, l'm on oxygen with no reason why.....I have had every test there is and they all show normal.....

***@****

THANKS......

[girliegirl2012]

I was just reading your comments from 2015 and was wondering how you are doing? What did your sleep study reveal? Chronic pain medications CAN cause shortness of breath.

[Sanlaine]

I would like to join this group.  My o2 levels range from 92 to a couple of times in the 60's.  We used 6 different kinds of oximeters, two at home,one at my dr that was not the kind we used at home.  I was walking around his office and it was 71. I went to the emergency room  it dropped into the 60's with their machine but it always goes up and down.  The lung specialist that came in said that the machines are all wrong. He said that he has never, in 25 years of practicing medicine, seen it so it is impossible. I had a sleep study done two weeks ago but have not gotten the report yet.  I take a lot of pain medicine for chronic back pain.  I'm wondering if it's caused by that.  I'm beginning to get scared.  I was in the hospital for 3 days and nights but am still looking for answers and a good dr.  Please help!  Sandy

[Dmactds]

I'm 72 and was on oxygen at night until about 18 mos. ago when I noticed I felt horrible the next morning.  Did a bit of research and found there's such a thing as "too much oxygen" which can act as a kind of poison; I began cutting back and now use it mainly in the summer mos. when my COPD really weighs me down.  Otherwise I rely on my lungs and don't worry too much about oxygen levels; I figure at my age, something's always gonna be 'wrong', I ain't no Spring Chicken no more..., and neither are you, Banjo....

[suzc719]

So do these saturation rates change every 1000 feet or so? In other words, if you are 90% at 10,000 ft, would you be better at 9,000 ft but even better at 8,500 and then 8000 etc. Is there a way to tell what is a "safe" elevation to live at?

[short31185]

I am 35, non-smoker and became very short of breath where I would do very little and wouldn't be able to catch my breath then I would start coughing and wouldn't be able to stop. It was horrible so I went to the ER and they admitted me. They checked levels for CHF and they were fine. I saw the pulmonologist and he walked me around and my O2 sats dropped while walking to 86. He admitted me to observe my sats during the night. I dropped 20x during the night (not sure if that was per hour) and then they did an echo. They found I have very mild pulmonary htn at 32 and they believe it to be caused by OSA. I am waiting to have the sleep study done since they can't get me in for 3 weeks. In the meantime I am on 2 liters of O2 at night and the same during the day as needed. Well the last 3 days I have needed it around the clock and it makes me very upset. They are thinking that if they get the OSA under control then I will be able to breathe normally during the day. What do you think of this? I get depressed thinking I will need O2 the rest of my life and I am only 35. Thanks for any info.

[Avdw]

My grandmother has emphysema - she was recently diagnosed with pnuemonia. Her blood saturation levels were 68%. She was very weak - sleeping alot - has slurred speech and seems confused. Her blood saturation levels are at 98% now - but her speech and other symptoms havnt really improved. Will it improve - or is it likely permanent damage was caused. I am so worried.

[Rickemy]

It's normal for anyone with COPD to drop to levels in the 80's. That's not bad however if he exercises every day or goes to a pulmonary rehab twice a week it will increase his endurance and won't drop as much because the muscles in his body along with the heart will require less o2>

[maribarth]

Came across your old posting and I can relate to what you posted.  I was dx 1 1/2 years ago with a lung disease they feel was caused by allergy.  I also have asthma and sleep apnea and wear a cpap at night.  My oxygen levels have been dropping lately to the high 70"s although when I put my oxygen on and sit and rest a bit it will go up to 88-90.  I have not used oxygen at night but think I may need to start.  I was wondering what your status is at this point.  I try to live a normal life but I now have great limitations with my breathing and wonder what my future will be like.

[maribarth]

I know that you had an old posting but I have a similar situation with a lung disease and noticed recently that my oxygen level has been dropping to 78-82 quite often although when I rest it goes back up the 88-90.  I have oxygen that I use when I feel I need it but it seems that I need it more frequently.  I want to get into some group to get more advise and wondered if you had any more recent updates.

[andydandy]

Praying for your Mom...for answers!

[skybluepink]

Hi,  Check interactions of medication  on Mediguard. This was picked up on my cardiac arrest poor heart pumping to....  if you have been a smoker in uk that is often blamed.

[ninammam]

If they put you completely under that deteriorates lung function, Always let anestysiologist know if you have COPD they usually won't put you completely under but you won't know what is going on.

[ninammam]

It had no effect on my oxygen level.

[ninammam]

I just became a member here and read your post. I pray your mom is alright and got through that storm.  Prayers for both of you.

[ninammam]

That is a low oxygen level upon exertion, I would get a Pulmonary function test done.

[dwrjr]

I had to have my shoulder replaced, prior to going into Loma Linda on Feb 7th, my oxygen reading wws 87 to 90%
After surgery I've not recovered and I'm on oxygen all the time.if I remove the oxygen now it falls into the 65% to 70%.

Loma Linda just pushed me outbthe door with no oxygen or reason for this, of course todays a holiday. Somethings not right now I'm recovering from a right shoulder replacement and lung issues that we dontbknow why

[jakaykay]

What an inspiration. I will show my 20 year old daughter this post.  She has primary pulmonary hypertension and is on oxygen most of the time with Revation which is helping her with breathing and energy. She was also born with many physical defects and has had over 20 surgeries. She is also going to college and has an online Ebay business and helps her mom at school. She now carrries a portable oxygen device. She now knows life is short for all of us and you have to keep on living to the fullest that you can,

[tonyisle]

Just a thought....a type of Polycythemia. There's a few types.

[heartbrokenalso533]

My wife has recently been diagnosed with interstial pulmonary fibrosis, possibly due to her rhuemetoid arthritis and use of metrotrxate. She has never smoked in her life, she is 63 yrs. old. Her oxygen sats are 91% on room air and 98% on 2 liters oxygen at rest, but drops to 78% on 2 liters oxygen with very little exertion. I,m told there is no cure or effective treatment for IPF. Her condition is stable right now but can and will progress at any time. I can,t thank her RA doctor enough for prescribing metrotrexate which causes permanent and irreversable progressive lung damage.

[seattle_az]

Am I the only one???  I am a healthy 49 year old. Low oxygen saturation levels at night, normal weight. They did a sleep study and I do not have sleep apnea. I am a shallow breather I guess?  Is this very common in otherwise healthy people? I was just put on 1.5 liters per hour of oxygen at nighttime only.
I was told this could have likely been going on my entire life?

[Ladybug627]

I am 41 and was diagnosed with Eosiniphilic Pneumonia in 2005. I had all the same symptoms as you and had to go through several tests and specialists and finally a biopsy to get the diagnosis. Get another opinion from a Pulmonologist. Get a chest CT Scan and bloodwork.