Low oxygen. Should I be concerned?

[Nymph]

I just found this from Johns Hopkins on oximetry:

"Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the results of the test. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Decreased blood flow to the peripheral vessels"

That's POTS. My capillary refill time is about 6 seconds, which is ridiculous. My fingernails are half blue all the time. My feet turn purple on a regular basis. I think it's most likely due to this.

litliwlowa - I was not short of breath when I had those low readings. That's another reason to think they're not accurate. You're right, though. No harm in a consult. I will see what my rheumy says.

[rnathans]

If your finger nails are blue and feet,or legs are purple whether Raynauds, pots or poor circulation these could cause a low pulse ox reading. Something circulatory for sure is going on.

[anita]

I agree with rnathans...something circulatory is going on if your nails/fingers are blue.  I doubt your O2 sats are truly reflective of your lung function...it's more likely the lack of circulation causing the low readings.  If your actual saturation was 89, then you would likely FEEL it, by being short of breath and in some respiratory discomfort.  You didn't mention any short of breath, so does that mean you didn't have any symptoms?

Before you see the pulmonologist, you should get your circulation evaluated...it seems to the the bigger and more serious problem.

BTW, you are correct in that autonomic dysfunction does NOT lower O2 readings like this.

[Nymph]

I don't really feel that I have shortness most of the time. Sometimes I get slightly winded coming up the stairs. I just feel like I am bad shape, not that I'm gasping for air or anything. And I have a slight cough sometimes but I think that is from allergies. So I don't know.

[irish]

You are right to still pursue a pulmonary assessment. Because you have diminished circulation from another physical condition you need to see if this is affecting your breathing in any way. This way you can do preventative maintenance as ordered by your doctor. Good luck Irish

[Nymph]

So, my primary says he is not concerned because I was not having respiratory symptoms when I had the low readings, but to come in if I have such symptoms. I guess that means he thinks they were false readings, which I also think is the most likely explanation.

On the other hand, my rheumy answered my email and said she thinks I should get a set of lung function tests with diffusing capacity. Given all I have read about lung problems in Sjs and especially anti-CCP+ RA, I think that is a good idea. So I'm just waiting for them to call to schedule the appointment.

I feel much better about this. Thanks, everyone!

[Hopefullynotalone]

I seen my rheumatologist today and asked if sjogrens will effect my internal organs and his response was that it does cause inflammation in the lungs, liver and kidneys. But to what extent I don't know. I would suggest for you to request a referral to a lung specialist just to ease your mind, as sometimes the unknown is worse than knowing. There may be some exercises you can get that help with your breathing. 

[lindapeto]

I have interstitial lung disease from sjogren's.
My O2 levels have as gone low as 87%.
When this happens, I am very sick, weak feeling, cannot walk and talk at the same time, and cannot go up stairs. I first noticed this breathing problem while I was at Mass, when I noticed I could not sing and breath at the same time - so I had to stop singing. Little by little this got worse, until I was placed on nasal cannula oxygen. I no longer require O2, and I know I am well when I can sing again.

What I have is inflammation in the capillaries that feed the alveolar (smallest air sacs where the Co2 is exchanged for O2.

My CO2 blood levels are always slightly higher than normal, even when I am not short of breath.
I have a tight chest right now,  and I feel like I cannot  bet in enough air.
I am having a flare, with all the other usual symptoms.
I am in bed, almost happy to be here, because I am so fatigued. 

There are better times ahead, of this I am sure.
This is Day 3, so I have about another five or six days to rest.
I hope this helps you, and please don't worry, because all is not lost. There are better times ahead.

Good luck,
Linda

[Nymph]

litliwlowa,  You mentioned that you have episodic low O2. Do you have a specific lung problem that's causing it?

[litliwlowa]

litliwlowa,  You mentioned that you have episodic low O2. Do you have a specific lung problem that's causing it?

Good question. I haven't been back to pulmonologist in 5 yrs (fired that one - NO doctor gets up his 7 ft tall self and gets in my 5'3" face and yells at me.)

I've had asthma for decades. Numerous allergies. OSA (sleep apnea). My PFTs look great. Depending on the doctor, some say I have COPD (NOT), others say only asthma, others say "I don't know, your PFTs look great". Various triggers for the shortness of breath.

I will be discussing this with upcoming wellness visit actually. Not sure mine is pulmonary at all. Seems to correlate when my BP goes too low which sometimes correlates to drop in heart rate - seems that way anyway. Sudden onset fatigue also like who put lead weights on my eyelids kind of fatigue. Episodic left side chest pain pressure.

I was supposed to have cardio followup in 2009 - had complete cardio consult (with echo, thallium stress test etc) in 2008 following abnormal EKG subsequent to gee willickers horrid chest pain that lasted a couple of hours. Moved to different state - so far no one is listening (let alone reading that report even tho it's been provided). My new to me PCP is more amenable to considering cardio - since the findings back then were not 100% normal.

And maybe it is all sjogrens, who knows?

[Nymph]

Thanks for filling me in. It is interesting to hear other experiences. Of course, it seems that low O2 readings can have a number of causes.

Now it seems that my rheumy also thinks it could be a false reading. She wants more readings to make a judgement. Ok by me. I'm getting a pulse oximeter so I can keep track for awhile. I've usually been able to get the most out of my doctors with sheets of numerical physiological data. Haha.

And I would never go back to a doctor who yelled at me, either. Horrible!