Oxygen and severe emphysema

[Kad21]

I have been looking at past posts on here, (sorry does that sound nosy or stalkerish?) and it seems that many of you who are classed as 'severe' are on oxygen. After my spiro test, my Doc diagnosed stage 3, but I am no where near needing O2. Or am I??

[butter-fly]

Hi Kad21

Good that you have been reading past posts if it helps inform in any way!

I have recently been given oxygen for 15 hours per day. This is because my blood saturation levels have been below the accepted levels. For some people, even at the severe stage, oxygen may not the answer and indeed could make the situation worse.

Oxygen does not help my breathing at all. It just to keeps up my blood saturation levels.

Docs need to keep us a bit more informed. You shouldn't really be left worrying. Give him a call to ease your mind but I'm sure he would have taken action if you needed 02. It would negligent to do otherwise.

All the best Kad21.

[Sohara]

I am glad you asked that Kad as I have been thinking the same thing...I am severe COPD and have been a bit worried seeing all the severe COPD people on oxygen. I am not good and get VERY out of breath if I climb stairs or steep slopes, but I too have not even thought about oxygen 'Yet!!'

Lets hope it will be some time till you and I get there

Love Sohara

[Puffthemagicdragon]

We are all different. I am Stage 4, very severe, but only need a half litre/min when I am exerting myself. Sitting down watching TV, etc, My sats are normally 90 to 94.

[stone-UK]

Hi

All good answer above , COPD and oxygen don't always go hand in hand.

It is as stated only to maintain your oxygen levels to a acceptable level for the well being of other organs.

If you have concerns speak to respitory nurse for guidance,

Oxygen is just an extra piece of medication.

[Hidden]

I can see that many of you are worried about oxygen please read Derek Cummings blog (google his name) he was prescribed oxygen and is very positive about it. My husband was prescribed it for exercise last August and we were very shocked and scared. But, as others say, look at it as another medication. My husband can do much more with his oxygen without worrying that his SATS are low and causing damage to his other organs. Many people live for years and years on oxygen. Take care, TAD xx

[Toci]

It is definitely not the case that all COPDers will at some point use oxygen. I have used it 24/7 since 2009, a friend I met through PR is at the same stage as I am (4) but has never used it as her sats remain high. As stone says, it is just another medication - some will need it whilst others will not.

[Kad21]

I am so confused, how can we have good sats at stage 4. Surely the nature of the progression of emphysema would mean that our lungs cannot produce the oxygen needed to survive?

[cliffthepotter in reply to Kad21]

I am confused by this also.

[frose]

I'm stage 4 (37% lung function) but don't need oxygen unless having an exacerbation for which I'll be (or am in this case!) in hospital anyway. I don't think there are hard and fast rules as individual responses vary so widely

[Suzy6]

I'm 33% lung function, still working not on oxygen. I don't understand it either.

[GIBBO]

Hi there im the same 25 per cent of lungs working and my oxygen level is ok.

[brooksju]

Hi Kad21, I am severe emphesyma but my oxygen levels are normaly 98-99 unless I have infection and then drops to 96 but don't need oxygen yet thankfully so we are all different.

Take care x

Jude

[helingmic]

Sometimes a prescription of oxygen can be temporary. I was very bad in 2010, I was prescribed a concentrator for home and bottles to go out. Out, I did go out to the gym! The staff there wanted to be doubly sure I could do gentle exercise. I got the recommendation from my GP and the pulmonary nurse.

On the bottle I had a little device which only released the oxygen when I was breathing in. It's a saving device that worked well.

Anyway, exercise made me feel better. After one month, I could shut the oxygen while I was doing the exercise, then open it to catch my breath. AFter two months, I didn't take the bottle to the gym. After that, I asked for the concentrator to be removed. My consultant was happy. He told me tha tin fact he wants patients to wean themselves from it. It's not always possible. For me I am no without any oxygen at all. I attribute this to the good drugs I'm on (Rifampicin and Clarithromycin) and the exercises.

Start exercising gently. I have put some videos before on how to exercise, how to look after an acute shortness of breath and a normal shortness of breath.

Here's the link again:

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

[cliffthepotter]

I gave up smoking 8 years ago but me emphysema has been getting worse ever since

[Hidden in reply to cliffthepotter]

This is a very old post (about 8 years!), so you might not get any replies. If you haven’t done already, it might be worth starting your own post?