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O2 Saturation Levels

Hi Folks,

Had a minor procedure at the hospital the other day.  Anyway, in recovery the oxygen saturation monitor kept going off when I starting dozing off.  Annoyed the heck out of me, until that annoyance turned to panic when I started researching my readings.  I noticed that when I was awake, my levels were around 94-95.  But when I started falling asleep it dropped to around 89.  Thing is though, I feel great.  Heart has been checked, no breathing difficulties etc.  From all the postings I have read on the internet you would think I would be at death’s door based on that reading.  I do have sleep apnea, so I suspect that is a contributor, but can anyone lend some insight into this?
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612551 tn?1450022175
My experience with mild obstructive sleep apnea is loss of just a few pounds made the difference.  I had problems with waking up feeling I was suffocating, tests, including a sleep study confirmed "mild" OSA.

That was last April, and I really need to follow up with an overnight recording Oximeter reading, but haven't in part because I no longer find any low O2 levels, even with my personal Oximeter.   The improvement came without a loss of only 10 pounds, on a 6'4" frame.  I'm down closer to 25 pounds now, maybe with Christmas eating closer to 20 pounds - but no apnea symptoms.

Hope you had a happy Christmas and will have a solution in the New Year.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, as the oxygen saturations are going down only while sleeping its more likely related to sleep apnea and therapy for this should help restore normal values. Whether due to Asthma or apneas, the O2 saturation needs to be maintained above 88%. If there is a persistent O2 sat level below this it could cause vital organ damage. Please consult your doctor for evaluation. Regards.
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