Chest clear but need oxygen.

[Electron7]

Hello everyone I've just joined the forum.

I was diagnosed with COPD about 10 years ago. (I'm an ex smoker)

I was prescribed an inhaler but found it made no difference. I had trouble walking up hills etc and I'm sure many of you reading this are in far worse predicaments.

Earlier this year I visited my doctor for a dermatitis problem. While I was there he measured my blood oxygen with an oximeter.

To my amazement and concern he asked me to come into the treatment room and asked me to breath oxygen. He told me I would have to go to hospital.

My oxygen levels were now much improved after breathing oxygen so the doctor, rather than admit me to hospital, arranged for me to (immediately) attend an assessment team at the local hospital.

I was x-rayed and tested and told I would need to see the respiratory nurse. I received a phone call the following day and was told my x-ray results were OK and I was now discharged back to the care of my doctor.

I met the respiratory nurse a few days later (The urgency seemed to have disappeared!) and was prescribed new inhalers and was told I was to join a pulmonary rehabilitation course.

For reasons unknown it took two weeks for my inhalers to be available but again they made no difference.

I started the rehabilitation course after assessment and for the first two weeks everything was OK but then unfortunately I contracted a flu-like viral infection.

I still felt unwell so visited my doctor again. My wife came with me as she was starting to get concerned about my treatment. (My wife is a retired nurse)

The doctor told me my chest was clear and gave me antibiotics and steroids as a precaution. He then checked my blood oxygen again and immediately made a phone call for me to see the respiratory nurse the same day.

The nurse checked my arterial oxygen and told me I needed to be on 3L of oxygen for 15 hours a day.

The oxygen generator arrived the next day and was fitted via tubing to where I sleep in bed. I was also given a portable oxygen generator for use in work (I'm past retirement age but still carry out work in my business) and for other activities.

My viral infection cleared up a few weeks later and I rejoined the rehabilitation course - this time wearing the portable oxygen generator.

On the final day of the course I was assessed again (a walking test with an oxygen monitor fitted to my finger) but after only 30 or forty yards I was stopped by the assessor and the deputy respiratory nurse on duty carried out further tests.

My home oxygen generator level was raised to 4L per minute and I'm due for another assessment in July.

I apologise if this all sounds very long winded but If I don't provide all the details I can't expect proper replies.

First of all has anyone had a similar experience?

Does anyone suffering from COPD have a clear chest with no cough or mucus?

I've not been referred to a consultant. Is this usual?

I seem to be coping well with the night time oxygen but the portable unit doesn't appear to raise my blood oxygen level unless I'm inactive. I understand that continuous oxygen portable units are available but they can't deliver 4 L per minute. Does anyone use portable cylinders and can they share their experience?

It's possible that I've adapted to low blood oxygen over time and I've continued my normal activities by avoiding hills and strenuous activities. I'd like to know how you all cope in general.

Your replies would be very much appreciated.

[stone-UK]

Hi

If you have COPD Emphysema then there is no reason for a persistent cough or increase in phlegm production. I’am Emphysema with slight bronchi, very little cough or phlegm product.

It’s unusual for LTOT, and Ambulitory oxygen therapy to be at the same setting. You would expect you Ambulitory setting to be higher.

I use Ambulitory oxygen therapy at 4lpm, this gives me a oxygen desaturation of 90/92 which is the acceptable level.

You are right in that they is no available POC to deliver continuous at 4lpm.

Alternative is cylinders come in two sizes, large and small comes with bag and trolley.

Or liquid oxygen.

Strange why they decided to increase you home oxygen based on a walking test, a walking test is for Ambulitory oxygen therapy.

For long term oxygen therapy you need a Arterial Blood Gases, (ABG) to confirm you oxygen requirements.

[Electron7 in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks for your reply.

I should have mentioned that the respiratory nurse checked my arterial blood gasses after the walking test.

[Shellc]

Yes your chest can be clear but still need oxygen also yes your body can get accustomed to little oxygen and cope, this happened to me. I used to wake up with terrible headaches which for me was the first sign of lack of oxygen . I was used to being out of breath as lived with a lung condition for 20 years previous . My gp first prescribed oxygen fir as a nd when i needed it, then eventually I was prescribed by the Brompton hospital as that’s the hospital that looked after me.

[stamford1234]

I have COPD and I rarely cough unless I am very congested and having an exacerbation. Sometimes I wish I could have a good cough to make the breathing easier!

I don't use oxygen so can't help you there. Have never seen a Consultant but was diagnosed Serious COPD 30 months ago. I hope you get sorted out soon it sounds as if the lung infection knocked you for six. Good luck with the oxygen, you seem to be getting the hang of it

[Bryju124]

I started the same way on oxygen 15 litres a day after approx 9 months I’m down to 2 litres and only ambulatory persevere with it.. I have very severe emphysema and a clear chest no cough, I do get three or four exacerbations a year though and I do try to keep fit walking and going to the gym on bike and treadmill 🙂