Pulseoximeter ex

[Jen2505]

I saw a post on here saying they were advised not to nBuy one of these, I find this critical In my care as i can ascertain how bad I'm get getting

[Suzy6]

Hi Jen my nurse told me not to use one but I do find it reassuring to know what my stats are. I don't bother with all the numbers though. Low oxygen levels seems to worry me.

[Jen2505 in reply to Suzy6]

I agree and use it for the same reason

[dall05]

There a must have item, I only use mine when I suspect I have a problem, it helps to confirm if I need to contact the GPs or not.

The more information you can give over the phone the better I say. .

Tony.

[Jen2505 in reply to dall05]

This is true dallo5 and why I have one always to hand

[O2Trees in reply to dall05]

Very true, this is part of working in partnership with our health practitioners, something which is important for people with long term conditions. I think GPs and nurses sometimes think we will get obsessive about taking our readings, and maybe with some that does happen, but generally pulseoximeters give us information we need and more understanding and autonomy about managing our conditions.

And sadly there are still a few medics who feel threatened with our becoming more informed.

[dall05]

I have found that you can't just leave it to the so called experts, the more information I have to hand and the more understanding of that information the better equipped I am to help myself.

Tony

[Hidden]

I bought myself an oxymeter because I was worried about my oxygen levels. I now find it indispensible. x

[Parvati]

When I first bought mine 7 years ago it was because I had realised I needed oxygen but my GP disagreed. My hand and mouth were blue grey when climbing stairs, walking etc to the extent that people stopped me in the street about it - but after sitting in the waiting room for ages when my GP checked my sats they were always 90 - 92 - which back then they decided was fine. I got a pulse ox (sent to a medical company in Ireland for one - they weren't on Amazon / Ebay then) and found I was dropping to low 70's just walking the few hundred yards from my home to work - I had fallen to my knees gasping and wet myself a few times on this journey! It might surprise you to know that back then the majority of GP's and nurses didn't have a pulse ox themselves. I went to Pulmonary Rehab and did the entire course with low sats - the nurse didn't have a pulse ox and this was in a hospital! When my sats dropped I stopped exercising. They wouldn't trust my pulse ox (and it was a bloody good one!) and got one of their own in time for my final assessment - which showed I seriously needed 02 (surprise!). The doctor I was referred to for my oxygen assessment was absolutely incredulous that I had lived with such low sats for a year or more and not one clinician taking it serious enough. I would also mention that when I mentioned my pulse ox on the very first new BLF forum about 6 years ago - I was told by the moderators that it was bad for patients to have one as they would panic us and confuse us etc and they advised against it. Thankfully everyone has moved forwards since then, most clinicians have a pulse ox, but still very few - and I include GP's and nurses in this - very few understand oxygen, how it is used and what is needed. Many are 'nervous' about it. Untill recently most patients were put on '2 Litres' or '4 Litres' etc and that was that. No account was taken of the huge increase in needs on exertion - little wonder that so many patients did not want to exercise. We are still not quite out of the 'dark ages' when it comes to attitudes and understanding of many clinicians - but it is improving. And lets face it, it is those of us who have really learnt our stuff and used our 02 effectively, self titrating etc, that are the most succesful when it comes to exercise and staying fit. When you can exercise safely to the max, knowing that your sats are fine, it becomes enjoyable and increases health more than any medication that is available to us. As long as I have my pulse ox, my oxygen and my exercising, it wouldn't bother me if I could never have any inhaler medication again. It is that effective and that important to me. Vanessa.

[newlands in reply to Parvati]

Hello Vanessa ,i agree with every word you have said , i really struggle doing things when i mentioned to the respiratory nurse that my sats drop into the 70s she told me to stop using the oxymeter . I have never had a 6 minute walk test i sometimes think its an age thing i am 72 take care Dorothyxx

[FarmerD in reply to Parvati]

Excellent post ,very informative ,thankyou.D.

[Suzy6]

Ah Dorothy you have me wondering. My stats are good even when climbing stairs etc. The lowest they have ever gone is 93 but when not so active they range between 96/98. My nurse told me the same thing put it away and don't bother with it. I'm 72 in few weeks. I have never had a 6 minute walk test and my Rehab appointment mentioned 18 months ago I'm still waiting for. I haven't been called back to the Nurse for any checks for 14 months. Only been checked once since diagnoses. Perhaps they think we are too old to bother with. Without my oxymeter I would worry. xx

[Hidden]

I have just bought an oxymetre too and find it very reassuring. Sometimes I have coughing attacks so bad that they make me feel weak and sick and my legs are shakey. I wonder if my sats drop a lot then. It feels like it. Now when it happens again will know. x

[CornishBrian]

I've had an oximeter for the last two years and find it essential to keep a track on my COPD. When I attend clinic for my regular annual check up, I take my meter along and compare the readings with the nurses one...that way I know it's fairly accurate.

[Offcut]

I have one and I find it at least confirms that my O2 is low when I think it is. I have a fairly good O2 at rest but lose it quickly because I have RLD. It took me 2 years to get my doctors to agree with my cardiologist that I have a breathing problem as well has a heart problem. They insisted that all my breathing problems were related to my heart conditions. I had the main GP put a oxymeter on me after I had been sitting in his warm waiting room for 20 mins turn around and say it is fine then ignoring my comments that it is when I do things like walk lay flat or go up stairs my breathing is bad! It took the fact I found I had worked with asbestos for over 10 years that they did a spiro. Which in turn showed a problem. I had a hospital full lung function test and they confirmed I had RLD with a 57% lung function upright with a further drop of 12.2 % when flat.

Only recently while a my GP for my script reauthorisation He asked how my breathing was and seemed shocked that I get out of breath walking and then asked what my consultant has said? I told him that she told me that there is no magic pill and my condition will only worsen. Also because of this my Pace and Ablate was cancelled!

[simeon]

Yeah, can't agree more.I use mine throughout the day checking that weeing and such vital activities are not leaving me stranded without Oxygen. Only 2 weeks ago the Consultant's nurse told me I should use my oximeter at all times. I suggest when buying to look for equipment that has been certified by the various national clinical bodies-mine is certified by the US and German authorities (don't bother with the English as I am told we use 'self certification' and I am not sure I trust companies that much). Also the probability is that the average oximeter is not accurate. This is because they have to be calibrated which is what health professionals and doctors do, usually against the main machine in the hospital. They probably know how much their equipment is out and compensate for it. You can take a reading when you are around one of them and then compare with a reading they take. That will tell you whether you are up or down or spot on. Mine is 2.5% low.

[Hidden]

Good idea to check any variance in results between your device and the one your doc uses ... can be couple %different.