The last two times I was in the ER my oxygen saturation dropped once I was treated and more comfortable.  They are thinking I have sleep apnea and my wife is pretty positive that I do.  Well, my oxygen dropped to the 60's and 70's and pretty much stayed that way but when I am awake they are perfect.  Could not sleeping well (sleep apnea) be triggering me?  People say to look at every possible trigger and I am wondering if that is one.  They said I need a sleep study and until now I've put it off thinking that other things are more important. Could this be causing me problems with my immune system/mast cell issues?  Thought I'd run it by you guys before I ask my docs so I don't look so stupid.

Having lots of low back pain today along with the abd pain.  It's really hard to work.  I keep taking breaks but I know it makes my brother and dad frustrated when I don't feel good.

Sleep apnea doesn't mean you don't sleep well. It means you stop breathing. What wakes you up is the body's urgency trying to keep from dying of suffocation. The breathing problems can be caused when the tissues of the throat relax during sleep, and close off the airway, or when the brain doesn't give the correct signal to keep breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common type.

Sleep apnea puts tremendous stress on the system. The heart is under pressure, and it can cause heart failure over time. Brain damage occurs when long periods are spent at very low levels of oxygen saturation. Because the body goes on hyper alert when you can't breath, it could very well trigger mast cell activity.

I had a sleep study that showed I woke over 150 times during the night, most of them only waking slightly, so I wasn't aware how many times it was happening. some people can have apneas (breathing cessation) every few seconds, literally never getting deep sleep. Absolutely it should be checked.

I had trouble with a new machine and new mask, because of the odors of the plastic. They do off gas, and I can tolerate them now. My local provider of the equipment made a deal with my doctor's office to let new units sit out before giving them to people who react to those types of things. You can also run the machine without wearing it. New masks can be soaked in water with baking soda, or water with white vinegar, and it draws some of the new chemicals out. I try to get my new masks a month or so ahead of when I need it, so it can sit and off gas before I use it.

If they think you have sleep apnea, get the study.

Wow that is really low and I'm so glad your wife was there to notify them

the lack of attention can be just brutal

if you're willing to try the treatment, then it's good to take the testing. Usually the treatment would be a CPAP mask/machine +/- home O2 if they find any other issues

Hope you get some relief

Ana- I was just reading your post about your sister having sleep apnea but not being able to tolerate the smell of the mask and tubing. I am running into the same problem. Did she ever figure out a solution?