Oxygen

[Mikefever]

can anyone please tell me at what level of oxygen saturated, should you go on home oxygen. My reading at the moment is 85% when at rest?

[stone-UK]

Hi

85% at rest is not good, any figure below 88% resting or moving is not good.

You need referral to hospital for ABG arterial blood gases test. To determine whether you would benefit from LTOT long term oxygen therapy.

A six minute walk test will determine whether you would benefit from Ambulitory Oxygen Therapy.

You can have both if required.

Home oximeters are not good at doing snapshots, you may have to do it two/ three time in fairly quick succession to get a accurate reading.

Speak to your GP, or if available your respitory nurse and share your concerns.

[O2Trees]

If 85% is your resting reading, Mike, then it's inevitable that it will be lower when you are moving around or exerting yourself, so please do speak to your doctor or respiratory nurse. Oxygen is prescribed to protect your organs, especially your heart, which are at risk if your O2 is below 88%.

[2malinka]

Mine dropped to 87 so I was offered home oxygen. I am a CO2 retainer so my oxygen levels have to be between 88-92. I am on 2 litres 24.7. I also suffer with pulmonary hypertension probably because I was very resistant to oxygen therapy and so may have cause the damage myself. Oxygen is vital for your organs. Even if you feel that your breathing isn't any better, please have a respiratory Nurse or Dr check your oxygen levels.

Look after yourself

Malink

[Petto in reply to 2malinka]

Hello Malink

I am on oxygen too I find it difficult to get out ............ I get so out of breath getting dressed and just don't have any 'get up and go' Can I please ask, how do you get on? Have you got any tips?

Thank you very much if you can help me

Best wishes to you

Petto

[2malinka in reply to Petto]

Hi Petto,

Well, I Have been on oxygen since Feb' '14. First it was .5 litre for a minimum of 15 hours per day now, because of the pulmonary hypertension, related to the COPd: My fault for fighting the idea of supplementary oxygen. Now I use 2 litres 24/7. I guess I am used to it now. Yes it is a pain. Sometimes I feel like a dog on a leash. But it is amazing what you will put up with to live. I know that my oxygen levels have to between 89-92 as I am also a C0 2 retainer. I have to wear a BI-Pap at night to get rid of the excess co2 otherwise my lungs just cannot cope with the poisonous gasses. I do make myself do stuff. Cycle machine, walking slowly. Shower.Drive my car when I can. I do however mostly shop on-line. Also have some in a couple of hours a week to do bed and housework. The oxygen mainly protects your organs and sometimes does not always help with the actual breathing. But try not to worry if you have episodes when you are out of breath. Try the pursed lip breathing...2 inhales and 4 exhales that can get rid of the stale trapped air in your lungs.Also there is quite a lot of info on YouTube about COPD breathing,

Hope this info is helpful and no too scary. There are a lot of more people on this forum who know much more than I do.

Please look after yourself.

[Catnip]

Please don't think that oxygen is the answer to all respiratory problems. It can't be used for some lung diseases and some patients can't use it, either... You need to see a specialist!

[Toci]

My 'normal' parameters are currently set at 85-89%. This is because I retain CO2. It is impossible to generalise and important to see a specialist.

[2malinka]

From what I have been told the oxygen saturation should be between 88-92 anything below could in time damage your organs. Please get it checked out.

Take care

Malinka