Has anyone else with COPD found that ... - Lung Conditions C...
Has anyone else with COPD found that no matter how out of breath you are and how little you can move, that SAT level is still high 90's?
Yer lashed my sats meter .. Think quite sheer if co2 retainer
Anyway yep this is best explanation i have found to explane why sats are ok as pulse oximeters dont measure co2 you retainin.
Thay just mesure oxygen in ya blood Its all very confusing but most with lung diease cant get rid of co2 thats why we are bushed
I am supposedly a retainer, but my pulse oximeter definalely moves, when I am on an incline it drops to 85/86 with a minutes rest I get it backup to 91/92 and carry on. Maybe you need new batteries, does your pulse rate stay the same too?
When I did my tests and they asked me to blow out hard a few times I went very dizzy and the nurse said that was my co2. if I use my meter checked with hospital one and gave same reading I can be out of breath sats drop but recover quickly and my heart rate is high and lowers. But I am always tired.
My sats are always 97% or 98% even when I'm breathless. I've read that my lungs are maintaining my oxygen levels but are having to work harder to do it which is why I get breathless and fall asleep easily, usually in the middle of a TV programme that I like 
When I get really breathless mine can drop as low as 72/73. Not nice.
I don't have a meter and only have my sats done at the Doctors but when I blow in to the tube I go light headed and also when I walk
...Sure do ! I want the oxygen in me lungs - to hell with these " Academic figures " !! ...its how you FEEL is more important rather than what these figures are SUPPOSED to indicate !! ..A friend of mine was told he was at the " END STAGE " of COPD - that was SEVEN YEARS AGO ! - which begs the question = What on earth do any of these "Technical" phrases REALLY " mean anyway, ? and by whose Authority are they AWARDED" ? .......I do sometimes wonder if we Patients "Fit in " with these " Academic Diagnoses " rather than battle with them, and find in reality( putting all these technical figures AND EXPRESSIONS aside ), that we are perhaps not doing so bad as these "Figures " might indicate , in other words, a lot of illness, IN GENERAL is in the MIND ...........just a thought folks !!
copd.about.com/od/breathing...
[Quote] Question: Why Am I Short of Breath When My Oxygen Saturation Levels Are Normal?
Answer: The percentage of oxygen saturation doesn't always correlate with the sensation of breathlessness. This means that a patient may feel short of breath, despite a normal pulse oximetry reading. In COPD, this phenomena is primarily caused by co-existing heart failure and/or skeletal muscle alterations. . . . [/quote]
If you could do some exercises, you would strengthen your endurance. Have you ever been referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation? That's a group held by a nurse and a physiotherapist. They test your sats and how much you can walk. they explain everything about lung disease, inhalers etc. They start a set of simple exercises to get you going. worth enrolling on one if you haven't
Hi helingmic
I have just found your archived reply to a post which interests me by chance on the forum! I do quite a bit of exercise chez moi as I have been turned down by my local PR physio at the local hosp due to the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (bendy joints) I have. That makes me more determined to get exercise to make up for that at home or outside by walking. That helps, I admit. However, I am going through a breathlessness phase which is worse than I have experienced before in winter. I am dry coughing when I talk and especially in the morning, also when I try to do my Flutter device exercises, or any huffing, breathing exercises. Can't understand it. All I think is that the mucus has completely stuck low down in my lungs. I'm not having an infection and I generally feel fine overall. However, I do note that after I eat, this breathlessness is more marked. I suffer from acid reflux disease too you see. I take Omeprazole twice a day for that. It is driving me bananas trying to work out why I am so short of breath when I talk and do breathing exercises. I take my meds regularly. I have changed them to have ones that suit me.
Now, I am about to try a CD about 'Singing for Breathing' for people with respiratory illnesses, suggested by a BLF nurse on the phone. I will give that a bash. But it is all a big mystery this breathlessness phase I am in. I am to see my chest locum at the end of January 2015 and I will get the results of a CT scan and a Lung Function Test at this appointment, maybe that will indicate if my illness has spread, I hope not.
It is strange for me that I am doing all I can regarding exercise, breathing exercises, meds, acid reflux, etc. yet I am still breathless.
I know my specialist and CT test will have more info. But just bouncing my thoughts off your knowledgeable head in the meantime.
xx stillmovin1
stillmoving, I've never heard of tis syndrome. had to look it up. In the Mayo Clinic, they say: you may want to talk to a genetic counselor; that is if you want to start a family.
I tell you what, people get unduly frightened; that's why they probably stop you from going.
Lots of drink might ease your throat. I find that pure water isn't my scene! I prefer Caledonian water which is naturally carbonated and isn't so harsh to the mouth or throat. You have to explore which water wuld suit you, which herb tea I keep a scarf on during the night, if not I "seize" up. I have reflux too. I take some Lanzoprazole 20 mg. But I found that if I take acidophilus, somehow the acidity is diffused better. This is wholly non scientific. I also take some jarro-zymes from Amazon. this is some pancreatic enzymes which digest difficult things like bread, potatoes, meat (they all produce acidity) I found the doctor didn't really know what to do. In hospital, he sent for a speech therapist who told me to swallow slowly! Not really the answer
Seek and you shall know better!
Thanks for info helingmic. What are jarro-zymes. I mean is that what they are actually called? I could try those. And when you mention water, is ' carbonated' fizzy? My acid reflux is more noticeable at night and I have tried all the usual bits of advice about propping up the top end of the bed, etc. None of it helps. I got it after going through a bad time of anxiety a few years back and it has never gone away since. I am still anxious about some upheavals ahead for me which I won't go in to here but the anxiety is still there I suppose. I think the acid reflux PPI medication is only meant for short term but most of us are on it longterm now. That is a concern too. I do keep thinking the acid has damaged my lungs and it is an awful thought. Oh help.
stillmoving, yes, jarro-zymes is the brand on amazon. I tried them because i had real difficulties after I had had C-Difficil. My guts wouldn't settle down. So I took acidophilus first and the diarrhea settled. I took Jarro-zymes and found I started digesting meat, potatoes and didn't have pain in my guts, stomach. It's been a real help. decided to take them regularly.
yes, the acid can jump into your lungs and hurt them. It's bad enough when it jumps back into the throat.
I hope you find some solution. Mic
I had one completely colapsed lung and one which was deflating rapidly my sats were 99% the whole time x
Yes, and I find it very frustrating. I just don't understand it and I'm a retired RN. The only thing I can figure is that if we weren't breathing so hard, our SATs would be low. Mine does drop below 90 sometimes so I use oxygen if I really need to do something (like get dressed!!), but I still get out of breath.
My sats are high as well usually around 96/97. The doctor tells me it is the lung function my problem it is down to 15% with no reserves!!
I really don't always understand what they are talking about but I take all the usual ventoline, spivia, seretide ,and a nebuliser. But still have to breath hard. I do slow walks and chest excises to help.
