Question:
What is a nocturnal oximetry test?

I checked the library and no one has asked this one before. :) My pulmonary doctor has prescribed this test to rule out sleep apnea. I'm pretty sure he told me it involves a pulse thingy on your finger to monitor oxygen flow while your sleeping... and at home. But, his nurse sheduled the test at the hospital, in the middle of the day, and no sleeping. Doesn't nocturnal imply I should be asleep for this?? Has anyone ever heard of this?    — KelBurt (posted on March 18, 2002)

March 18, 2002
I agree that it sounds like something that would be done overnight. It may be that the daytime appointment is to just give you the equipment you need to use and show you how to use it.
   — garw

March 18, 2002
My surgeon uses this est for screening for sleep apnea. If it comes back positive then its off to the sleep lab for you. It MAY be a daytime test, it was mentioned to me but I couldnt sleep at night let alone dringn the day.
   — bob-haller

March 18, 2002
It is a simple test. You wear one of those oxygen saturation clips on your finger while you sleep and it monitors your O2 saturation all night!! No pain involved at all!! its very simple.. Good Luck!!:):):)
   — Blase K.

March 18, 2002
When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea 4 years ago, my PCP's office set up my nocturnal pulse ox test with the respiratory therapy department at the local hospital. They had a therapist come to my house in the afternoon, show me the finger monitor and the machine it was hooked up to. When I went to bed that night I just had to slip it on and leave it on until I got up the next morning. Then I returned the whole thing to the hospital that day. My PCP sent me for an immediate sleep study once the results came back.
   — Anna L.

March 18, 2002
Interesting...I just had one of these to rule out sleep apnea....I had to go in to pick up the machine and be trained on how to clip the wires on my finger and under my nose, but I can't imagine it being complicated enough to require a technician to come to your home. Anyway, it was a breeze and rulled out SA for me, so ...........yea!
   — rebeccamayhew

March 18, 2002
Duh. Let me restate my answer now that I've actually READ your question...the appt. during the day is probably to learn how to use it, but you will be hooked up to the monitor at night. Good luck to you...
   — rebeccamayhew

March 19, 2002
Rebecca, what can I say? Either I'm special or my local hospital is like Domino's, they deliver. LOL :)
   — Anna L.