SATs machines

[yaf_user681_15459]

We've just bought a SATs machine in the hope that we can understand Maddies symptoms more.

Has anyone else got one and do you keep a tab of healthy levels as a baseline?

[Hidden]

I have a finger pulse oximeter but I don't know if it is good or not. I bought it when I started home nebbing in the promise to my poor greying mother and my asthma nurse that I would have a 'cut off an dget help' point.

Do use it every now an dthen to see if there are SATs trends in my ups and downs as well.

Hope you find something that you feels helps you to help her.

[Hidden]

Me too, for the same reason. I don't really keep any tabs unless I'm feeling really bad, and then I watch it to see if I need to give up home nebbing and get to costa.

[yaf_user681_15459]

Do you sometimes get readings that fluctuate within a matter of seconds?

Maddie isn't brill right now at all and when I've gone to check her SATs the readings go from, for example, 91, to 97, then to 95 in the space of a few seconds.

Which reading is correct? Is it the highest (as you can't get a false high for example) or is it the final reading?

[Hidden]

I do get that yeah, especially if I have a period of coughing but then I get that in hospital on the bigger machines too so don't think too much of it. If they stuck down low for any length of time i might be concerned but blipping up and down isn't too much of a worry to me. But then I don't answer his with any medical background, maybe it should be!!

[Hidden]

Well the problem with SAT's espically teh cheaper versions is there is no way of telling how well teh trace is, for example in hospital you have the wavey lines and on some have the bar that goes up and down.

To get the best reading need to leave it on for a little while without moving and it should settle to similiar readings. You should do when well o to get an idwa of what a normal is.

[Hidden]

The trace on mine is not really much different to the one in hospital as I said. I have dips in hospital too and I have dips in when well and not well. The pulse oximeter I bought was recommended and certainly not cheap. I base my judgements, as recommended by my consultant, to look at where the reading lies most and if it is a strong downward turn for a prolonged period, then there is concern.

[Hidden]

I was just going to say dont worry if they drop for a little if they pick up on there own thats fine!

[yaf_user681_15459]

Thank you loads. Will continue to monitor. Fingers crossed she'll pick u soon x

[yaf_user681_15459]

Thank you loads. Will continue to monitor. Fingers crossed she'll pick u soon x

[KateMoss]

Please remember that a Sats machine or pulse oxymeter will only show oxygen levels!

One other important gas that needs to be checked is carbon dioxide. (CO2)

This can start to rise in an severe attack indication the person is very ill.

Some people can maintain oxygen levels but also have rising carbon dioxide levels.

Also in most asthmatics, by the time the oxygen levels are dropping they are quite ill.

Please remember to go on other symptoms and not rely on pulse oxymetry.

It can give a false sense of security........... if you wait for them to drop it could be too late and you or your child could end up very ill before you get help.

I understand that they can be usefull in the home environment when recomended by a consultant for people who often run at a lower level of O2.

I am a brittle asthmatic but don't have a pulse oxymeter at home. I go on my symptoms. OK most of the time but occasionally if I am tired I can miss that my oxygen levels are dropping......

Kate

[Hidden]

anyone know where i can buy a SATs machine?

hi all,

My 21 month old little girl has been in and out of hospital these last few months with pre-school weeze, which comes on with every cold she has - 4 times in the last 4 months. She's on daily montylucas (apologies for spelling) and has been for the last 8 weeks, and then somethng else twice a day as soon as a cold starts whihc makes her hypo, plus 10puffs every four hours. It's a waiting game to see if A&E is required, usually three days in after the cold starts which can include a trip to doctors or medical centres out of hours to see if anything can be done to avoid the dreaded two day stop over in Royal Berks. So we monitor breathing during this time like breaths per minute, rib cage, throat and flaired nostrils to see how hard she has to work to breath, but one other thing i'd like to monitor durign this time is her oxygen. Usually by the time we get to a&e its at 89 / 90.

It's very difficult to judge when or if a&e action is required, and she goes down hill very quickly and during this time it's diificult to 'think' rationally as we try and do what we think is best.

So if anyone could point me in the ditrection of where to purchase a SATs machine, that would be so much appreciated.

thanks!

[Hidden]

Hi Gayrm

My cons gave me one, but Amazon sell them for around £20 and they are virtually the same so have a look on-line as they seem to be about the best price!

Hope that helps

Snowy

[Clarefraser]

Hi Garym

I have also purchased one for my son it was £20 they are avaliable as Snowy says on amazon or on ebay just search for oximeter. I just hope you wouldn't need to use it much! Take care.

Clare x

[KateMoss]

Please see my message below regarding sats machines / pulse oxymeters!

Be aware that once sats get to 90 and below, you or your child can be quite ill.

Unless advised by a consultant, please go on other symptoms as well . If you child or your self are struggling but still have good sats, you still need to get help.

Just a bit of advice from a brittle asthmatic...........