caret icon Back to all discussions

My nose canula falls out of my nos

If I forget to put on my biPAP at night, the canula falls out of my nose; I wake up 4-5 hours later with an oxygen saturation of aroind 60. This has happened 6 or 7 times. I had my son change it back to my short green one that doesn't have this problem "as much."

Is anyone aware of an alarm or anything that will alert when oxysat falls below 90?

This has happened when I taped it on per my doctors suggestion! I am worried about permanent damage to my heart, kidneys, liver.

Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

  1. This is a great question and I'm hopeful that someone will be able to assist you. Wishing you a peaceful day 😀 - John M. (COPD.net Team)


    1. Hi abbey, and thanks for your comment! You've posed an excellent question which I hope to be able to address.
      First, there are ways to insure that one's cannula, for use with BiPAP at night, can be made to fit more securely. If this could be accomplished on your behalf, that will provide one part of a solution. The medical equipment company, which provides the BiPAP machine, must have clinicians on staff who can assist with this. Hopefully the clinical respiratory therapist will be able to help you to insure a proper fitment for your cannula device. That is the most important aspect of using BiPAP - the proper fitment of the patient's device!
      Secondly, if you are using a pulse oximeter in your home, that is the proper way to monitor one's oxygen saturation level (at home), as you well know. There are many of these devices commercially available in the market place, nowadays. The good news is that some of them have integrated alarms. If you do your own GOOGLE search using the words 'pulse oximeter with alarm', you will see a wide selection and price range of these devices.
      I hope this brief reply guides you in the right direction to resolve your real-world concerns. Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you.

      You are always welcome here in our online community.
      Wishing you well,
      Leon (site moderator COPD.net)

      1. Thank you for your suggestions. I didnt know they had an oximeter with an alarm. I will order one immediately. I wonder why my doctor didnt give me this information.


        1. Hi again, abbey - glad to have been able to provide the information for you. I am sorry the physician or staff did not provide you with this useful information about pulse oximetry equipment.
          Well, now that you plan on buying one, I am sure you will benefit from the safety of having an integrated alarm for the pulse oximeter.
          Please do check back and let us know what you think of the device once you have it and use it for awhile.
          Good luck!
          Leon (site moderator COPD.net)

      Please read our rules before posting.