Asthma and nocturnal low pulse ox
I had a sleep study for possible obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study showed a mild level of OSA, but also found that my baseline pulse oxygen level during sleep was 88, well below normal. I tried but failed at CPAP therapy, and now my asthma specialist says I will need oxygen therapy at night. I have read that asthma can cause low pulse ox during sleep, and that supplemental oxygen can help. My asthma was under good control for several years, but the last few have been a bit of a roller coaster. Oh well! I feel good and have normal oxygen levels during the day, am able to exercise and stay pretty active, have only had one flare requiring steroids in several months. Grateful for all of the good things.
Thanks for sharing your situation regarding your sleep study and asthma. What do you mean that you failed at Cpap? Were you able to try different style masks to fit your needs? Just curious. Either way, I'm glad that you are active and able the exercise regardless. All the best, Lauren (Team member) Just couldn’t get used to using the cpap machine, couldn’t sleep at all with it on. I tried a few different masks, had the help of an a very kind respiratory therapist, but it just wasn’t happening.
Thanks for following up and providing further information. Cpap can be challenging to adapt to. I'm glad that you at least gave it a try. Are you getting set up for home oxygen for nights? -Lauren (Team member)
Yep, and have an appointment to discuss all with my asthma specialist this week,
Hi. I hope everything works out for you and you start feeling a lot better using that night oxygen. Did you have a sense that anything was wrong while you were sleeping, or were the low oxygen levels a surprise to you?
Sorry it didn't work out with the CPAP. Was a dental appliance an option? There's also the Inspire device which is surgically implanted, but it's pretty new and we have heard mixed reviews about that. Just so you know, we also have a site for people with sleep apnea (I work there, too!) if you ever have questions or need extra support.
The address is https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net.
Best of luck to you, keep us posted! -Melissa, team member
