[shortandcute]

I recently had a sleep (apnea) test done and it turns out my oxygen level during sleep is at a 53! They told me that was dangerously low.So now I have to be hooked up oxygen at night.

[~Christina]

Im so sorry .. Are you on a Cpap ? I know that usually takes so getting use to .

The good think out of this is you should be feeling better during the day.

[shortandcute]

they decided to have me use an oxygen tank at night and see how that goes....

[Ripose]

I suffer from sleep apnea too. I was on night time oxygen due to COPD and I noticed that my morning headaches from apnea disappeared. I was also a lot more clear headed during the day.

They took my oxygen away after 3 months and all of my symptoms returned.

I hope it works well for you.

[truebliever]

I've been having some shortness of breath,and thought some was coming from anxiety,went to dr.said I have the lungs of 84,i'm 53 female non smoker.This sounds funny,but I'm afraid to use a inhaler,heard they would make the heart race.Any ideas will be Thankful.

[Perna]

True Believer, I have adult-onset asthma (I'm 64) and use two inhaler's each day a couple times a day. Inhalers only make your heart race if you use more than you are prescribed/need. Otherwise it makes you MUCH more comfortable so you don't have to be worried about shortness of breath.

Short and Cute. Sounds like you have Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS): Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome

[ECHOES]

Shortandcute, I'm sorry that you are going through this scary time . I hope the oxygen will help you to sleep better and feel better, as I think it will.

hmmmm maybe I should start using my cpap again. I stopped using it when I had a cold and never started again. I know when I am under anesthesia my oxygen level drops not sure if its the same for when I sleep.

[jaynedough]

Originally Posted by truebliever

I've been having some shortness of breath,and thought some was coming from anxiety,went to dr.said I have the lungs of 84,i'm 53 female non smoker.This sounds funny,but I'm afraid to use a inhaler,heard they would make the heart race.Any ideas will be Thankful.

Hi truebeliever, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I am 50 and have been using inhalers since I was, I think, 5 years old. Also, I was a respiratory therapist (a very long time ago). You are right that inhalers can make the heart race, some more than others. But so can anxiety. I know that I become more anxious when I am wheezing. It's natural to feel that way when you feel like you are suffocating. You didn't say which kind of inhaler your doc wants you to take. I take Flovent for prevention and Atrovent for flareups. Before the Flovent, I took Advair, which started increasing my heart rate. Once my doc switched me to Flovent, I was fine. For various reasons, I can't take true rescue inhalers, but the Atrovent works fairly well.

Here is something to think about: not treating breathing problems can put extra strain on your cardiovascular system. I've found that when i have had the racing heart from inhalers, it doesn't last very long. Long term strain on your CV system, however, can become permanent.

Tell your doctor your fears. Let her/him know if you have side effects. There are several inhalers available. Like all medicine, what works for one person doesn't always work for someone else.

Hope this makes sense. I'm sick right now & kinda out of it.

[toniokeson]

Hi shortandcute, I feel so sorry for you. Hope having an oxygen during you sleep will help.