Oxygen sats dropping on exertion

[Treed12]

My chest is being silly at the moment. My gp isn't really interested unless I'm at the point of needing an ambulance. I feel I'm deteriorating and I like to be proactive but I'm not getting any help. I've noticed the last couple of days, on exertion my o2 sats are dropping. If I walk slowly upstairs for example my sats will drop to high 80s. If I sit for a while, take my inhalers it comes back to my normal which is 99. I've never had this before, as far as I know. I'm just a bit worried as my chest is sore and tight and I keep getting that breathing through a straw feeling. I just cant seem to maintain a good oxygen level. Any pearls of wisdom? Thanks

[Hidden]

A sore, tight chest is a sign of inflammation and infection (for me anyway.) Are you advised to increase your inhaled steroid when this happens? Or take your rescue antibiotics & a short course of oral steroids? If this isn’t part of your plan, I think you should phone your GP for advice.

You’re right, they don’t worry about that sort of drop in sats, viewing it as a temporary reaction. Last year I experienced a serious drop which went on for months (following a particularly bad infection.) Couldn’t do a thing without sats dropping like a stone! I really thought I’d end up on O2 but eventually sats returned to normal.

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

I concur, it sounds like inflammation to me as well. I have ongoing inflammation at the moment and I have the same problem, a ten minute walk and I am down to the mid 80's and it takes me 10 mins to recover back to my normal 92/93. My inflammation is under investigation.

[poppy08]

Sounds to me that your gp needs to take a closer look at your lungs. I’ve had sats issues for years and sounds like yours are a bit low on exertion