Oximetry Results... Not So Good

I didn't have to wait long to receive results from my Overnight Oximetry. Today, I received a call that frightened the hell out of me.

The overall big deal is that I need to be put on oxygen at night.

The respiratory tech was kind enough to explain to me all the statistics that led to this diagnosis.  She told me that the actual "normal" levels of oxygen saturation that they would like to see is 89% and above.

During the night my oxygen saturation went as low as 61%.

I went below 88% saturation level 15 times during the night.

The longest single time I spent below 88% was 8 minutes.

The respiratory tech was shocked with the fact that my oxygen saturation went down to 61%. She said she only usually sees that number in COPD patients, and she has never seen it in someone my age. This oxygen I'm getting is administered through a tube under the nose. I was told that when I do the sleep study, they will find out whether I need a CPAP machine (where the oxygen is delivered by mask).

She also sad that thankfully I don't need oxygen during the day... yet.

So, what am I feeling? Shock obviously. Yet, I am also feeling thankful. If I didn't make the decision to start the gastric bypass process, I would never have gotten this test. If I did get this test, it would have been a long time from now, and I would have gotten much worse. I'm also hopeful for the possibility that I'll be more rested and more able to wake up in the morning. I miss a lot of morning classes because I cannot get up in the morning. This oxygen may change my life.

How does this have anything to do with my weight? It is widely known that there is a strong link between sleep issues involving low oxygen levels and obesity. Obviously, it is now even MORE important that I lose weight. With every second that ticks by, I find out more reasons why I need to lose the weight now or suffer extreme consequences.

My suggestion to all my readers is that if you are having any problems with sleep - ask your doctor for an overnight oximetry. It is a very simple test to complete. The only symptom I ever noticed before last week was a constant tiredness and exhaustion during the day; I never suspected problems of this magnitude. You never know what problems may be going on under the surface.