Oxygen levels falling to 80% during night.....

....and when it does, it wakes me up! I actually bought a vivosmart 4 garmin because I was concerned as to why I was waking frequently waking up during the night and gasping for air. The Vivosmart 4 can monitor oxygen levels and sleep. From my readings it shows that my oxygen levels are falling to 80% at several times during the night, and when it does, it also shows that I am awakened. I intend to show my recordings to my respiratory consultant when I next see him to see what he thinks. My oxygen levels seem to stay above 95% on resting during the day. I was wondering if it could be my heart or lungs causing the drops during the night? Any ideas from anyone with similar experience. The interrupted sleep leaves me feeling more tired throughout the day.

[mikeydt]

try something called sleep apnea what you are describing sound like this condition rather than your heart or lungs.

you describe the classic symptom that it is waking you up this is one of the conditions of apnea.

you need to ask for a sleep test to confirm the above condition.

[Tom-Brown1111 in reply to mikeydt]

That really does sound like sleep apnea! I have done the same or I used to stop breathing during my sleep and I would suddenly wake up gasping for air... I am and was in good shape at the time. (Stress was what did it with me).

If there is one thing I know and that is the mind plays an absolutely key part in our health.

I was advised by a friend to take yoga classes She has a PHD in genetic science, studying the heart, including zebra fish, as they have the ability to reproduce a new heart.

Hope you are feeling better.

[Hidden in reply to Tom-Brown1111]

Thank you x

[Hidden in reply to mikeydt]

Thank you. I will enquire about a sleep test x

[Rosanna75]

Hi,

I had in two different situation similar episodes as you .

Before my heart valve replacement, I was waking up During the night and gasping for air and then later on, after the mitral valve replacement, when I had fluids in my lungs.

The oxygen was very low and I needed support. But this would only happen during the night

Not sure what your circumstances are and if you can relate with my experience but this is what has happened to me

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to Rosanna75]

Thanks! I will mention it to my doc. Hope you are feeling well x

[Rosanna75 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I am good now thank you.

I had to have fluids removed ftmrom my lungs but I have now almost recovered from it.

I am doing a lot of brisk walks and my heart seems going well.

After 2 months from the surgery and a lots of ups and downs I am so glad to see how far I came.

It is an overwhelming surgery as it effects you emotionally as well so it is important to keep your chin up and looking forward to full recovery.

Have you had yours yet? I vaguely remember you from another post...I think you were waiting for surgery and enquiring about excercise?

[Hidden in reply to Rosanna75]

I am booked in for an echocardiogram on the 25th and I am spending a morning at the respiratory clinic for tests on my lungs just after. I have been feeling breathless for a while and the doc wants to look at my heart and lungs. Hopefully the tests will diagnose my problem so I can get it fixed. There is nothing worse than feeling breathless and tired all the time - I can hardly walk up the stairs and I am only 43. I have been like this since September - tired, breathless, lost weight unintentionally, waking during the night gasping forr breath, retaining fluids without duretics... I will update this post once diagnosed to help others.

[Rosanna75 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that.

I can recognise a lot of it in my experience.

I am 43 too!

I was diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation 3 years ago. I had back then my first surgery, with the valve being repaired.

The symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue were certainly the main thing.

Eventually , the repair wasn't successful as it sort out the regurgitation but it caused me the opposite problem to that.

From a leaky valve I had a stenosis, not enough blood flow.

Symptoms very similar...I was exhausted, I felt tired all the times and short of breath

Consider that I suffer of athsma as well...so yo can imagine.

From a normal eco they couldn't see why I was struggling so much but then the all picture became clear once I done a stress eco.

Ask to have it done, if they haven't reccomended already.

I had then my mitral valve replaced in November and this has already made a big difference.

Keep us posted and stay positive....there is a light at the end of the tunnel and if you needs any advise I am hear to help

Best wishes