sleep apnea and oxygen

[thrice3]

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea a few months ago (I had many many hypopneas rather than central or obstructive apneas). However, I'm confused as to how this is possible if my oxygen and co2 levels stayed within the normal range??

[grshppr710]

I have a consult with a sleep Dr tomorrow, but have been experiencing scary symptoms, extreme fatigue, and almost constant dizziness, I got a device from AMZ that measures and tracks, O2 levels, heart rate, and movement throughout the night. The device is called, Lookee sleep monitor and gives vibration alarm when preset levels drop below the threshold. I had 26 drops below 90% and 12 alarms. My lowest % was, 85%. I am not snoring. using another app, free called Snorelab, that monitors and records snoring. With this preliminary information, should I be alarmed and could this be the source of my dizziness and feeling terrible all the time?

[ill13632]

I don't know how I developed the central and obstructive sleep apnea in my early 30s.  my O2 level is 75% when it was 92% a year before.  
could it be stress or yelling a lot or GERD?  the surgeon told me that this cyst I have in the clivus isn't the problem

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The O2 levels are not dropping because every time there is an arousal and you will take deep breaths to compensate for the apnea. If this is extended then it can cause a drop in oxygen levels. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more common in people who snore. These people are also more prone for Hypertension.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[thrice3]

my O2 levels remained stable i'm pretty sure. i have looked over my sleep study and everything was normal besides the hypopneas and the arousals

[thrice3]

thanks for the response. another question. i don't want to wear a cpap so i got an appliance that pushes my lower jaw forward. it seemed to be working, but it makes my jaw hurt so bad throughout the day that i had to stop wearing it. just how dangerous is it to not wear anything? (btw, im an 18 year old female and i am not overweight)

[ill13632]

it seems that people with severe apnea would have low O2 levels- I would get a copy of your sleep report/EEG sleep study to see what your O2 levels are
mine are 75% which are dangerously low and seem to be enough to cause organ damage

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

When a person sleeps the airways are usually patent allowing normal passage for air entry. The upper airway that is at the region of the tongue and the soft palate is the most compliant (soft) part. So, this is liable to collapse and cause airway obstruction.

As the air way collapses the lungs do not have air entry leading to deoxygenation (decreased oxygen) of blood and the person wakes up. This period of non entry of air is called ‘Apnea’ and the waking up is called an ‘Arousal’. This keeps alternating and the person may not actually wake up all the time, but these repeated arousals can disturb the sleep architecture and cause fatigue, headaches and daytime sleepiness. These people are also more prone for Hypertension.

Since you keep awakening your sleep cycle is likely to be disrupted and the oxygen levels are maintained because you awaken each time to take a breath.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.