WEAK: i was diagnosed with copd... - Lung Conditions C...

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i was diagnosed with copd 5 months ago.. i still work part time.can someone help me. when im working my stats are 82 to 88 and i cant breath. what can i do to help...

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Romolo55

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18 Replies

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punkyb9 years ago

Well I am not a doctor but according to everything I know your doctor needs to have you on oxygen. . Where do you live?

CornishBrian• in reply topunkyb9 years ago

Oxygen is NOT a general Fix One, Fix All solution. There are several COPD segments that oxygen is not given for. Oxygen is only given to protect the internal organs but if you suffer from oxygen retention, any more oxygen will kill you. Doctors do not normally make the decision on oxygen....they farm it out to the specialist nurses.

punkyb• in reply toCornishBrian9 years ago

How do you know if you have that? The person who took my arterial blood gas ordered my oxygen and said they like you to have it when you sleep if it goes below 87. The lady that did the 6 minute walk test almost fainted when my oxygen went to 84. she was afraid for me and I never did know why, but she said you need oxygen. This is very confusing. I appreciate your information to add to my knowledge.

Colours23• in reply topunkyb9 years ago

Yes I would enquire about oxygen. It shouldn't be that low while u work,or you will cause yourself some damage.

PollyP9 years ago

Hi there,

I am sorry to read about your diagnosis. Have you had a full set of lung function tests? What medication are you on? Who is supporting you? If you live in UK you could be referred to a pulmonary rehab programme? And I agree with punkyp about possible oxygen to help you.

I suggest you chat things through sooner rather than later with your doctor or practice nurse, or call the BLF helpline, they are so helpful.

Good wishes,

CornishBrian9 years ago

First, don't panic...easy to say but not so easy to do, until you take control of your breathing. Now go to the BLF web site or you tube and look at anything to do with breathing control exercises......watch then, copy them, find one that suits you and practice hard. Once you know that you can control your breathing without chemical inhalers, your life will change....believe me. The paramedics practically lived with me until I found out about this.

Next stage....buy yourself a small pocket fan....three blades minimum. When you are SOB, switch it on and gently waft it about your lower face 8 to 10 inches away but angle it towards your nose. From breathing exercises you will know that you breath in through the nose and out through the mouth...... Cambridge Hospital recommends this method and since using it, my Ventolin is redundant.

Next stage...Have you told your employer? When you work, you are responsible under the "Duty of Care" part of Health and Safety to inform your employer if you have a medical condition that affects you or your work. Once the cards are on the table, you may be able to localise what is causing your SOB and find a way around it. Don't worry. Your employer cannot sack you because you have a medical condition. Large employers actively seek disabled folk to show their commitment to all of society....so you may be answer to their problem. Good luck. Come back and ask for help as often as you need it but a few more details into your stage of COPD and the type of work you do can help to provide more directed help.

EmAitch• in reply toCornishBrian9 years ago

Thank you for the idea of using a pocket fan. I shall certainly keep one near me.

With regards to H&S at work, I have never hidden the fact that I have always had asthma due to allergens. I was 'dismissed' July 2014, due to exceeding sick levels. Having being placed under an air con unit, I developed COPD.

Although OH made recommendations to management that I should be moved, I never was. After being dismissed due to 'ill health', I was informed by the union rep that recommendations do not have to be adhered. I'm still p**d off with my place of work.

Now however, I am a lady who lunches, even if its a pie from M&S...lol

Good luck Romolo

Nanny10869 years ago

Hi. ,82/88 Seems really low to me ,I think you need to go to your GP first ,then ask to see a consultant to get lung function tests done ,,,,,if my oxygen levels were that low I would be in hospital ,

Go to you tube and type breathing exersises for copd /asthma,seems to me you need to get more oxygen into your lungs .

Best wishes ,,,,,it would be interesting to gear how you progress ,good luck ,

Offcut9 years ago

Doctors needs to sort you out with other specialists and as has been said look up huffing techniques. You may well also have a mild infection that needs treatment.

Be Well

joyce7419 years ago

I've had COPD since 2005 couple of hospital stays I'm told my stats should be 88 to 92 I am on 2ltr of oxygen per min on portable or sitting 1 ltr via the concentrator. I think you should speak with your doctor get an appointment with the respiratory dept at your local hospital

Rainy19529 years ago

I would see your respiratory Dr that is low

Ergendl9 years ago

This probably isn't what's happening to you, but maybe... I too was getting readings of 85 - 90% on my new oximeter at times, even when I felt okay. I later found that the readings were caused by my pushing my finger too far in between the jaws of the device. What a numpty! Now I move my finger out a little until I get the highest reading, and use that. My lowest since then has been 95% but usually it's 98%-100%.

derrylynne• in reply toErgendl9 years ago

Certainly a reading of 82 for a period of time will cause harm and this does need looking into. In my case I did the man thing a few years ago and let my sats remain at 84 for quite long periods. Until the lack of oxygen caused some damage to the right side my heart and I felt so ill I was sure I was going to die. I was put on 4 lpm oxygen for all mobility after which I have recovered. The damage I did will never be recovered. Time to get it sorted..

Ergendl• in reply toderrylynne9 years ago

Thanks for your cautionary warning, Derrylynne.

bogo39959 years ago

Hi Romo! I assume that you mean your blood oxy stats. ??? Mine went as low as 72 (when I was working part time). My GP put me on oxy ONLY during the night when I was sleeping. I use Spiriva in the morning and Advair morning and evening and my stats are usually around 90 - 93. Hope this helps.

jimmyw1239 years ago

hi romeo

i do feel for you my friend,

.With copd, your stats usually drop "whilst working",and you most definitely will be well out of breath "whist working " and will find it difficult to breath. to the point of being unable to breath."whilst working "

i l know i can hardly breath to the point of feeling "unable to breath" if i put too much effort into something or "whilst working ",,, and i'm on oxygen.

but there's not enough information on your post, really romeo. i.e what are your stats like "at rest" ? .are you producing coloured sputum, if so, what colour is it ? etc. etc.

however with out going into the ins and outs of needing oxygen [which i think you do need unless you are an 02

retainer]

the best person for that, is a respiratory nurse,

if your breathing is reasonable at rest, ask your g,p to see a respiratory nurse, asap.

if your still finding your struggling to breath at rest, dont mess about , just go straight to your nearest a and e.They will soon decide things for you.

hope this helps romeo, and hope you get some respite with this, as it is a frightening experience.

hope this helps,, jimmy

toerag• in reply tojimmyw1239 years ago

I know this may sound contra-indicative, but gentle regular exercise does help with oxygen levels esp if it leaves you a little breathless, do this everyday. Example would be a gentle walk to the shops, this gentle exercise will stretch your lungs giving you more capacity eventually... And please get medical advice in case you have an infection, a short course of antibiotics and steriods works wonders. Ask the GP for referral to a respiratory clinic, and a cardio-thoracic specialist who will order regular test like spirometry and x-rays to keep monitoring your condition. The respiratory clinic will also have locations and dates etc. for pulmonary rehab programs in the area, some clinics also run the courses, they are well worth attending but are usually for either a morning or afternoon lasting for a few weeks....

I hope that this info helps, but first port of call is GP....