Question:
WHAT WOULD CAUSE A LOW READING RESULT

I WAS JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS WHAT WOULD CAUSE A PERSONS BLOOD GASES TO BE VERY LOW, AFTER QUITTING SMOKING FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. DOC WON'T DO SURGERY BECAUSE OF THIS. ALTHOUGH ALL OTHER PULMONARY TEST TURNED OUT FINE.    — Gale G. (posted on May 29, 2002)

May 29, 2002
Have you seen a pulmonologist? They specialize in breathing and should be able to answer your questions and advise on how to proceed. Get a referal from your PCP or surgeon. <P> This is preventing you from surgery now, but it should be looked into in any case. Have you been told you have chronic upstructive airway disease as a complication of smoking? I believe thats like emphsema.
   — bob-haller

May 29, 2002
Asthma or sleep apnea, for starters. I was quit smoking for years when I didn't pass the ABG. But since a pulmo ran the test and looked me in the eye, he dx the apnea, sent me for a sleep study and started treatment AND wrote a letter recommending WLS. What scared me senseless turned out to be a good thing.
   — vitalady