Random question, does anyone know how much oxygen saturation should change during exercise, if at all?
I have asthma and am struggling with strenuous exercise despite using ventolin before exercise, warming up slowly, and exercising inside. I'm not even working out at full capacity. I start ok then my chest tightens, I can't get enough air in our out, I cough and I have to stop. I have monitored my oxygen sats and before exercise they are fine, once I've had to stop, they drop. Is this normal? Is the drop because of my asthma?
Note: Otherwise my asthma is well controlled on sirdupla. I have tried montelukast as well but that hasn't helped.
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For us with lung issues exertion usually leads to our oxygen levels dropping below the normal range. For me , if I am not using my oxygen, fast walking can cause my levels to drop to 80% or so. Hence, I was put on ambulatory oxygen . Do you use oxygen? How low do your levels drop? Is this a recent development? When was the last time you had a lung function test?
Sorry for all the questions. I am trying to get a bigger picture.
I think you need to bring this issue up with your doctor and raise your concerns. I'm sorry you're having this issue. I hope it gets sorted and you get the information and support you need .
No I don't use oxygen, generally as I say, my asthma is well controlled it's just when I start to do exercise.
My sats dropped from 99 to 93 the other day when I monitored it, which doesn' seem like a huge drop now, if you're drop to 80%!
The exercise problem has been there for a few years now. Before then I could comfortably run 10k without issues.
Haven't had a lung function test (assuming spironetry) for years since I was first diagnosed.
I'm trying to work through it with the asthma nurse but so far I've only tried montelukast which hasn't helped. She was reluctant to change my inhaler seen as my symptoms are otherwise well controlled.
93 at exertion is great actually. Do also monitor your heart rate. You don't want to over tax your heart. I am sure your nurse will be able to advise you. Maybe it's a good thing to ask about the spirometry test. Please do update us if you'd like. xx 😊👍
Yes heart rate is measured at the same time, at the point it was 93%, heart rate was 115bbm because I wasn't fully exerting myself.
It would be nice to be able to work out without having to stop because of my asthma so I'm hoping the nurse will have some more suggestions of things I can try. I will ask about a repeat spirometry, I would have thought it's sonething they do at your asthma review, but apparently not!
Thank you for your messages, I'll let you know how I get on, hopefully with some good news!
It is a very valid question and one that I would like a clearer answer too myself. At rest I can get 93-96% Sats - but yes the 3 or 5% drop IS significant, but I too drop to 84 % or so when exercising. I want to do more but I don't want to deprive my major organs of oxygen, by desaturating too far.
I find that when I start my chest tightens up, and the anxiety of this happening seems to make it worse - in a vicious circle kind of manner. BUT after 5 mins rest I find that I can carry on and feel much better for a long period. Everyone here thinks that Pulmonary rehabilitation courses are a worthwhile thing to do and I would ask your GP or hospital team if you can be referred for one. They do very gentle exercise and back this up with lots of information and education on improving the quality of life you can lead. I recommend it wholeheartedly if only for the social side. Best of luck - do let us know if you get an answer for the desat' levels.
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Oxygen and Sats
Oxygen sats
Oxygen levels
