Oxygen at night -

[Christina L]

I just received a call from my PCP and the word is that my PCP wants me to wear oxygen at night to get my sats up. Needless to say, after being approved for adoption by the agency we have chosen and just starting to feel like maybe I am going to be "okay" in the long run, I am discouraged by this news.

I have a call in to my cardiologist to call me to see if they received the oxygen/heart rate monitor results in their office - to see what his opinion is. I did talk with my cardiologist's nurse on the phone about this issue and she said that it was not unusual to go into the 80%ile for oxygen sats at night. However, my average was 89.5%.

What is "wrong" with me that this is happening - dropping in oxygen saturation at night. Again, I am scared. I have been told I do not have pulmonary hypertension, but this is uppermost in my mind after reading all the scary stuff on the internet.

Thanks.

Christina L

 

[Karlynn]

Christine, glad you called your cardio for his opinion. Your PCP may just be being extra cautious with you if he knows you tend to worry more than the average person.

Look at it this way - you got good reports on your heart from all involved. They ruled out PH. The oxygen issue may just be something you have to deal with because of your mitral valve issue taking it's toll over the years. So what if Mommy wears a little oxygen at night. I think you will find that once you get your child, you won't have time to worry about yourself and that will be a good, freeing thing.

 

[tobagotwo]

89.5% is 90%. 90% is normal. In Tibet, normal oxygen saturations peak at about age 11 in humans - at around 89%.

I would guess that there is a greater likelihood that you have a minor sleep disorder than that it is caused by your heart.

Just a check of things that can affect the Oxygen saturation test: Were you wearing nail polish during the saturation tests? Are you anemic? Were there bright lights on in the room at the time?

Hopefully, your cardiologist will feel similarly.

Best wishes,

 

[Christina L]

Karlynn,

Karlynn,

I certainly wish it was as easy as that - to just wear oxygen and accept it - not trying to find the why or the wherefore. It is just in my nature. I need to know the reason for this and what can be done about it. I have had several mothers tell me that I will worry even more about my health problems when/if we adopt a child, as you want to be there for them and not leave them. I am not sure if that is entirely true logically - I agree with you Karlynn, that a child will most likely take my focus off of myself and put it onto her and the family as a whole - having a child will just keep me too darned busy to have time to sit around and worry!

Bob,

Very interesting facts you have presented. I'm sure the Tibetans with an oxygen sat of 90% are at a much higher altitude than I - we live at around 7700 feet but I have read that at 8000 foot elevation, there is 25-30% less oxygen than at 5000 feet. So... My cardio's nurse told me that it is not unusual to desat into the 80s. I am anxious to talk with my cardio's nurse and will be setting up an appointment to talk with my cardio about this ASAP. I hope you are right - I hope it is just nothing. The only nail polish I had on was on my toenails (from the wedding in October!). I have taken the polish off my fingernails a long time ago and NEVER wear nail polish usually. There were no bright lights on, but I do have a severe septal deviation and nasal congestion due to allergies (I will be asking to be seen by an ENT).

I just don't like the thought of using oxygen at night - the machine is loud and it is all so awkward, BUT if it is going to help me in the long run, of course I will use it!!

Christina L

 

[Christina L]

As for being anemic, Bob,

As for being anemic, Bob,

my cardiologist said that in passing several visits ago - that I have always been "slightly anemic." Hmmmmm.... What does that mean for me?

Christina L

 

[geebee]

Christina,

Using oxygen at night is a small price to pay for feeling better. I have always liked how oxygen made me feel when I was feeling badly. Maybe all the little issues you have noticed recently will disappear.

I know when I was in Leadville, I had a LOT of problems with exertion and I am usually pretty OK with exertion at lower altitudes. I know you live at a lower altitude than Leadville but it is still up there. If oxygen will allow you to stay in such a beautiful place and give you some peace, it may well be worth it.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Karlynn]

Remember a few years ago whe oxygen bars were the new thing in LA? I think Woody Harrelson owned one. People sat around with cannulas up their noses, chatting. That's LA for you.

 

[Cris N]

As far as the noise that the machine makes... you don't have to sleep in the same room with it. Just get longer tubing. I was on oxygen for a week after I finally got out of the hospital - machine was in a corner in my living room. Closed the bedroom door at night & couldn't even hear the machine.

Cris

 

[Ross]

Need More Oxygen Where Get Some????

 

[Christina L]

I just received

I just received

a call from my cardiology office and the nurse said that Dr. Larson said it would "be a great idea" for me to wear oxygen at night. The nurse told me they have their patients wear oxygen quite a bit at higher elevations.

I read (past tense - I'm staying off the internet now) way too much on the internet and know that sleep apnea or problems with low saturations at night do make the heart work harder and are tied in with pulmonary hypertension. Sorry, I am still worried about that. So, I asked the nurse on the phone to ask Dr. Larson WHY he wants me on oxygen and if this is a bad sign of something worse to come.

I know I have received a PM from Betty here on VR.com and she says that pulmonary hypertension does not cause sleep apnea BUT sleep apnea can cause pulmonary hypertension.

We just got word yesterday morning that we were accepted for the adoption and about an hour after that, I got the call from my PCP's office that he wanted me to wear oxygen at night.

The cardiology nurse said oxygen at night makes people feel so much better and I'm sure it does, but it is just the thought - here I am thinking that I am going to be healthy enough to chase a child around, but I have to wear oxygen at night (?). I'm just depressed and scared. I am wondering what God is trying to tell me. Every time we take a step forward with the adoption, it seems we get some type of "bad" news regarding my health. I think God's handwriting is on the wall, so to speak.

Thanks for listening.

Christina L

 

[Mary]

Christina,
Things sort themselves out eventually. You need to decide what you want in your life, and then place your faith in God that he will guide you, and give you the strength necessary to acquire it.
If you continue to fret, and continually analyze the status of your health, then you are allowing life's circumstances to override and overwhelm the happiness you truly desire.
What a waste that would be, considering all that you and Wayne have been through.
Mary

 

[Ross]

Forget the oxygen and add the child. Once all your attention is focused on that child, all your problems are going to dissolve. Mary's right hon, I've said it, she's said it, your docs have said it too.

 

[Christina L]

Mary, Ross, Gina, Cris, and Karlynn -

Mary, Ross, Gina, Cris, and Karlynn -

and all others who have responded, thank you. I am at a loss for words right now and have a lot to think about and pray about. I appreciate your tough love suggestions.

Christina L

 

[tommy]

Christina,

Hang in there, girl. Are you able to exercise? Tell Wayne to give you more hugs - tell I said so!

 

[Christina L]

Thank you, Tom.

Thank you, Tom.

I will most certainly relay your message on to Wayne.

Yes I can exercise and my exercise tolerance is great! No shortness of breath. It has been this way ever since my surgery.

I don't know if you read any of my threads regarding the O2 monitor, but I had Wayne put it on one evening (not while he was sleeping) and his O2 sat was 92-93% - mine was 94-95% which is what it was when I was in cardiac rehab right after my surgery. We did this twice and my sats were better than Wayne's (which he didn't like at all).

The problem is desaturating at night while asleep. I have been getting mixed messages from the cardio's nurses and the cardios - they don't seem worried about any of this - they seem to think it will make me feel wonderful to wear this oxygen.

I would be curious to know what Wayne's saturations are at night while he is sleeping. Anyway, I KNOW I have a severe septal deviation and allergies to our cats, and I snore like a trucker (what does that mean? hee).

When Wayne and I go for walks here in Estes, we both are kind of winded, but not a lot - and about equal I would say. When we got married in Leadville, I was no more winded (during the day) than anyone else.

So, I have to look at the good side of things - the ability to exercise without shortness of breath, the good reports from the doctors and them saying I do not have PH.

I know if it weren't for these adoptions plans, I wouldn't be freaking out as much as I am. I want to know for certain that I will be healthy enough (at least for a good 15-20 years) to raise a child. I think anybody on this board can understand where I am coming from with those thoughts.

Again, thanks Tom. Come see us in Estes again soon.

Christina L