Oxygen Levels on cpap machine still drop...why?

Ok, I just found out that the oxygen test I took still shows my oxygen level dropping into the 80's while on the cpap machine. I'm curious what causes this. I haven't talked to my doctor yet, but will be, because there is evidently something besides sleep apnea going on. But, I'm just curious....why does one's oxygen still drop even with the cpap machine? I'm a non smoker ...never smoked in my life....I'm overweight, but not obese....and to my knowledge I don't have lung problems. But, now I'm left here wondering IF maybe I do have a lung problem I've never known about. Just a curiosity question, as I know you can't possibly know why MY oxygen level drops....but I'm just curious what kinds of things would make your oxygen drop, even while on the machine.

On another note, I'm still doing good with the full face mask (most of the time) and wear it every night. I'm not totally surprised about the oxygen thing because I had already noticed I wasn't feeling quite as good as I was when I was on the oxygen.

AND....I got the call today that my ResMed Auto 9 machine is in, so she's bringing it to me on Thursday. Yay!!!!

CindySue in Indiana wrote:Ok, I just found out that the oxygen test I took still shows my oxygen level dropping into the 80's while on the cpap machine. I'm curious what causes this. I haven't talked to my doctor yet, but will be, because there is evidently something besides sleep apnea going on. But, I'm just curious....why does one's oxygen still drop even with the cpap machine? I'm a non smoker ...never smoked in my life....I'm overweight, but not obese....and to my knowledge I don't have lung problems. But, now I'm left here wondering IF maybe I do have a lung problem I've never known about. Just a curiosity question, as I know you can't possibly know why MY oxygen level drops....but I'm just curious what kinds of things would make your oxygen drop, even while on the machine.

On another note, I'm still doing good with the full face mask (most of the time) and wear it every night. I'm not totally surprised about the oxygen thing because I had already noticed I wasn't feeling quite as good as I was when I was on the oxygen.

AND....I got the call today that my ResMed Auto 9 machine is in, so she's bringing it to me on Thursday. Yay!!!!

Your apnea events cause the low oxygen levels. Obstructive Apneas are a blockage keeping you from breathing, Hypopneas are a reduction in flow keeping you from getting enough air, and "Central" apneas are when your body stops breathing. All of these are essentially the same as holding your breath, and that, as we all know causes the oxygen level in your blood to drop.

I am in the same exact condition you are, non smoker, no lung problems, and overweight (right at the border of being obese). I also have severe desats that bring my blood oxygen down to very low numbers (below 80, and in some cases close to 70). My sleep study was in a hospital, and within a couple of hours of going to sleep they came in and interrupted my sleep and put me on 2 Liters of oxygen to help me sleep better during the study

Your AHI (Apnea, Hypopnea Index), when it's lower you have a lower number of these events, and thus the oxygen level stays high throughout the night. That's why we want to know about your AHI.

Does all that help your understanding?

PS: Contrats on your machine, hopefully it's the data capable one so you can check your results regularly!

Hello CindySue,
Right now I am having the same problem. Last Monday (October 11) I started on a auto pap for 2 weeks. I have 1 week in. I really don't know what they will find. Several weeks ago I had to sleep with a oximeter, I think that is what it is called, to check my oxygen level. Like you, it also dropped. I have been on c-pap since June. I still feel tired and sleepy all the time. I am hoping it is just a pressure change to bring my oxygen level up. I, too, am worried that it might be something else. Good Luck and post any new findings.