Oximeter readings and daytime sleepiness

[OximeterResults]

I am awaiting for my appointment at a local sleep clinic.

I have been referred, as I am excessively tired and sleepy in the afternoon. To the extent that if I sit down, I fall asleep ! But if I keep moving I am fine, so I avoid sitting down when I can.

I am deficient in Vitamin D and low in Iron and are taking stuff for that. My thyroid levels remain on the borderline. But all of these points have remained consistent for years and I have never felt this tired before.

I know the sleep clinic test patients with a sleep at home with an Oximeter, so I bought one to try but I am not sure what the results mean.

Anyone able to explain an Oximeter readings to me ?

Last reading
ODI4 25.4
Time 6.9H
Max SpO2 100%
Min SpO2 84%
Max PR 97bpm
Min PR 42bpm

Previous readings
ODI4 9
Time 7.3H
Max SpO2 100%
Min SpO2 87%
Max PR 95bpm
Min PR 40bpm

ODI4 15.3
Time 7.4H
Max SpO2 99%
Min SpO2 83%
Max PR 120bpm
Min PR 41bpm

ODI4 18.6
Time 6.6H
Max SpO2 99%
Min SpO2 80%
Max PR 104bpm
Min PR 42bpm

ODI4 10.3
Time 6.7H
Max SpO2 100%
Min SpO2 87%
Max PR 109bpm
Min PR 42bpm

ODI4 8.7
Time 7.3H
Max SpO2 100%
Min SpO2 83%
Max PR 93bpm
Min PR 41bpm

ODI4 12.3
Time 6.8H
Max SpO2 99%
Min SpO2 87%
Max PR 124bpm
Min PR 43bpm

Thanks if anyone gets this far.

I am packing the Oximeter away and will show results to sleep clinic nurses, when I see them. I am just wondering what these figures show (if anything) they seem to vary a lot and I don't know what levels I should be getting which makes the whole thing pointless, lol :)

Please note. All reading are overnight readings whilst asleep. During the day I am usually 99% for the ODI4 reading.

I'm not seeing any issue with your pulseox. Have they tested for diabetes?

No point doing random testing yourself, there's a bit more to looking for sleep apnoea than pulseox readings.

Thanks Bunny That is right the doctor is hoping to rule out sleep apnea at the sleep clinic. The clinic have told me they rule out people by sending them home with a portable Oximeter and look at the results the next morning.

Guess they go on to further test, the people not ruled out to diagnose actual problem ?

I was hoping to get an answer ahead of my appointment but it too complicated. As I said on my other thread in AIBU, I am going to show results to the sleep nurses and let them tell me if they mean anything or not. :)

Update
The sleep clinic have diagnosed me with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea NOT syndrome (not sure of the difference myself)

They did use my oximeter results to diagnose me and will be doing a full sleep study with their equipment in a couple of months to see how things are going.

I have been given a cpap machine to take home to use and I have to inform dvla that I have a diagnosis but under treatment. I should keep my license, as long as I use the machine for 4 hours a night.

The full mask makes it hard to breath out but breathing in is easier. Tried it out this afternoon at home and fell asleep with it, so despite me struggling to breath out, it is comfy. Or maybe that is a reflection of how tired I am feeling.

I am highly relieved that I can still drive and looking forward and dreading tonight in equal measures.

But if this cpap machine works and I stop feeling tired all the time, it will be worth it.