COPD

[gail123]

Does anyone else use their pulse oximeter about 30 times a day? I am so paranoid about ending up in hospital again that I use this so much. Will I use it less the longer I have been home?

[Aurorastar_]

Lol. It gets better. You will learn your limits and know your "signs" of extremely low oxygen. I just say, I do use mine very often. But more to monitor what I was doing, that made the drop. And how long it takes to recover. That's important to me. Because of you aren't bouncing back up, that's a trip to the doctors. I always take mine first in the morning, as that's when I seem to be the lowest.

A doctor told me, "you've been running this low for awhile. It's just the number that really has you freaking out now"

Hope this helps a bit..

Enjoy your days, and be happy your numbers are still reading something

God Bless

-Amy

[Hidden]

That's the danger of having one at home and why some doctors are against it. Try and cut it down to 2/3 times a day. x

[Bevvy]

There really is little point in using that often. Even in hospital they don't test that often! I have mine on advice from gp to monitor when I have a flare up.

I would have thought absolute maximum would be to check 2-3 times per day when you are especially unwell.....

[PastMeBest]

Hi gail123 if you have only recently obtained your Pulse Oximeter then it is understandable that you are checking your levels so often. Once the novelty wears off and you recognise the signs when your oxygen is low you won't need to check so often.

I check mine first thing in the morning as the effort of getting up and dressed makes my oxygen levels drop. I keep a record of these readings mainly for my Doctor.

Lack of oxygen makes me cough but I also have Pulmonary Fibrosis which makes me cough as well. If I still cough after using oxygen I'll check my oxygen level with the Oximeter and if that's OK I know I need to use my inhaler.

I might use it 4/5 a day so 30 is a bit excessive.

Part of the reason you are using it so much is that you are worrying about having to go into hospital again. Once you stop worrying you'll not feel the need to use your Oximeter so much.

Regards. John

[Nottobad]

Very sensible advice Pastmybest.

[Billiejean_2]

I used mine such a lot during my last 14-day stay in hospital and put myself under such stress, day after day trying to 'magic' the numbers up to an acceptable level, that I haven't used it since. My GP took it at the surgery last week and it was down to 94 resting but as I had just started an exacerbation, that was par for the course. But honestly, you could drive yourself stark raving mad, checking your sats. I've decided to stop punishing myself and would suggest that maybe you might too. Let's face it, we all know when our sats are down, we don't need that pesky little gadget to tell us

[rubyred777]

Hi Gail, I agree with John. When you first get one, you play with it a lot. I remember, I used to check everyone, that came in our door! My oxygen levels are okay. Don't really need to be checking it. I take it with me to work, for my many trips up the stairs. Also if I'm out walking, going up hills. Partly because of the pulse. I like to see how fast my pulse returns to normal. What stage copd are you? What does your oxygen level run? Once you know "your normal" you will tire of playing with it.It's good to have on hand, incase you get an infection. 😊 Rubyxx 😊