Oxygen Sats

[Aingeful]

I take my sats every morning and they are usually 89/90.The medical professionals who see me have never suggested supplementary oxygen. Are these levels usual? What are yours?

[CDPO16]

Hi Aingeful. My sats vary an awful lot and 89/90 isn't unusual for me at times but they can often be 95+ when sat doing nothing and 84 on slight exertion .On the day I was discharged by my outpatient consultant some two and a half years ago, I told him that my sats had dropped to 82 while out walking very slowly with lots of stops. He just shrugged, said it did no harm to be short of breath and I never saw him again!

Following a referral by my GP, I had an assessment at home by a respiratory nurse last December who didn't do much of an assessment but decided to prescribe short burst oxygen therapy for me. It definitely brings my sats back up when they are so low much more quickly than just sitting and resting. Sorry for so much waffle but I think it may be well worth while telling your GP about your sats for his opinion. Best wishes.

[jmsutt73 in reply to CDPO16]

I have read on another PF blog that some folks have had experiences of normal 96/98 saturation, while at the same time feeling short of breath. I have experienced feeling not being able to take a deep breath, while sats are 96/98. My neice, an RN, says that what I am experiencing is air-hunger. I don't know, and I never can remember to mention it to my pulmo. My now deceased sis, who was sixteen years older than I, used to blame the barometer when she felt what I now sometimes feel. J

[O2Trees in reply to CDPO16]

What happens with short burst O2 therapy? I’ve not heard of it.

[CDPO16 in reply to O2Trees]

I have a cylinder in the lounge and one in my bedroom (not allowed one in the kitchen as I have a gas hob). Both have tubing and an oxygen mask fitted to them. If my sats drop below 89% after any activity, I use the oxygen until they rise to 95%+. This can take anything from 2 - 5 minutes which is much quicker than it was when I just sat and waited previously. I have tried using it prior to doing an activity but it makes no difference to my levels dropping quickly.I do wonder if I need ambulatory oxygen but this hasn't been assessed. I had a visit at home by a respiratory nurse in December. I have been housebound since coming out of hospital last July apart from one visit to my GP surgery in September when I had a flare up and one visit to my dentist in November. On both occasions I struggled to get to the car from the house. The respiratory team wanted me to go to a very busy clinic in town where they are based for a full assessment but I declined. At that stage vaccines hadn't begun, the health centre is very big and busy and getting to their department would have included using a lift. I can't breath for longer than a couple of minutes wearing a mask and getting to the respiratory clinic would have involved using a lift where I suspected that I would have been in close contact with other people who may have had the virus or have been a carrier.

The nurse who visited me didn't do any tests and made her decision based on my answers to her questions. She didn't give me much advice on how to use the oxygen either so I read up about it on the NHS website after where it said that short burst oxygen is

normally used for 15 - 20 minutes when sats are low. I have only used it for this long once as I find 5 minutes is enough. I have had one follow up phone call once since December and have been told that I can phone the team for advice if needed. The nurse who visited me initially has since left and I do wonder if another member of the team might have made a more thorough assessment.

I was on continuous oxygen for a week while in hospital last year but the consultant was very keen to get me off it and I was gradually weaned off over a 6 day period. While in hospital I only had arterial blood gases taken twice on the first night but haven't had any done since. Had I been able to attend my local health centre they would probably have done a 6 minute walk test but I would have failed that miserably. Some days just walking 15 feet from one room to another at home is a supreme effort!

I'm sure that you didn't want this tome but my typing fingers seem to have taken on a life of their own!

[O2Trees in reply to CDPO16]

On the contrary, this is very helpful, thank you. My O2 is generally around 92-94% at rest on air. If I walk at a (my, i.e. slow for healthy people!) proper pace, as opposed to walking around the house, it will go to between 83-89% without oxygen so of course I have ambulatory oxygen.

If your oximeter is accurate (or you know how many percentage points it is off so you can adjust) then you could do a 6 minute walk test yourself and let your respiratory team know the results. (Normally I wouldnt recommend this but these are not normal times and lots of people are scared to attend appointments.) I can't diagnose obvs but it does sound like you need ambulatory O2 - you shouldnt have to be struggling that much. If you feel unsure you could call the BLF helpline and speak to one of their nurses. Take care

[CDPO16 in reply to O2Trees]

My oximeter compares favourably to that used my practice nurse with a 1% difference. I must admit to being very reluctant to having ambulatory oxygen although I do know that it would be for my benefit. My biggest problem is working in the kitchen (I use the term work loosely) because of the gas hob. My nose is blocked much of the time and so I have to mouth breath (have tried various remedies for this with no long term effect). Also after 4 days on oxygen via a nasal cannula while in hospital my nose became very sore and bled when I blew it. To add to everything I developed oral thrush while in hospital which they said was triggered by the oxygen. This has persisted on spite of 4 different courses of prescription antifungals and homely remedies.

I do, however, very much appreciate your advice and will give it much thought. Carole xx

[O2Trees in reply to CDPO16]

Carole, just because you might get ambulatory and would use it for walking etc, there's no reason why you couldnt leave it off when cooking on gas. I assume you're not walking around your kitchen at the pace you would walk at, say, outdoors?

Also I mouth breathe, partly because I have a very small bridge of the nose and one nostril with hardly any room for air to pass through (not sure if this counts as a deviated septum, but it's certainly deviated!). The oxygen still manages to get through despite pulmonary physios pointing out that it wouldnt!

Most people who get ambulatory have a conserver attached to their cylinder. This means the oxygen flow is operated only by your breath so its not continuous flow like I imagine you would have been having in hospital. So far less oxygen for your nose to deal with.

Im probably wrong here but just suggesting it in case: I assume you were given ABs and steroids in hospital? These are notorious for causing oral thrush. I have never heard of O2 triggering thrush but hey, what do I know?! x

[CDPO16 in reply to O2Trees]

I did have abs and prednisolone while in hospital but have had these many times at home over the last 6 years without any problems with thrush. I've also been on a high dose of steroid inhaler for years also without any thrush. My dentist also said that oxygen can be a trigger for it. I have not been out of the house since July apart from the two occasions I mentioned above so my walking is limited to indoors and is very slow but your added information is very helpful and gives me much more food for thought and reassurance. Thank you very much xx

[O2Trees in reply to CDPO16]

One final point - when I was in hospital it was because the emergency meds I was taking at home weren't enough to help. So I had major IV ABs and steroids in hospital - a huge amount more than I would have had at home in order to turn my pneumonia around. And of course I got thrush in hospital. So Im wondering whether the same might apply to you and the extra amount cause the thrush which did not occur when you took ABs and pred at home. As I say, just wondering.

The fact that you say you have had four lots of meds which hasnt cured the thrush probably means Im wrong. I do hope you can find a solution to it. xx

[CDPO16 in reply to O2Trees]

I just had the same oral doxy and pred that I've had at home while in hospital. The only new thing was the oxygen. Thank for your good wishes xx

[barbs47 in reply to CDPO16]

Hi my breathing sounds very much like yours. I use oxygen in short bursts like you and see my oxygen nurse about every 6 months. Barbs x

[CDPO16 in reply to barbs47]

Good to know. Do you find that it is enough for your needs?

[barbs47 in reply to CDPO16]

Hi yes I think so. My oxygen levels are good except on movement. Barbsx

[CDPO16 in reply to barbs47]

Yes, that's the situation I'm in too! Best wishes Carole xx

[garshe in reply to barbs47]

Same as me xxSheila 💕👍🙌😘

[skischool]

Aingeful,In a medical environment such as a hospital the general rule of thumb for respiratory patients with a diagnosed long term condition is to keep sats within the 88-92% range on air or with oxygen if required,this figure generally protects all the organs and also prevents Co2 build up if your lungs are noted to retain Co2.Perhaps it is now time for an up to date capillary blood test to determine background levels and also with a view that supplementary oxygen may now be required on exertion even if Ltot is not required?

Best wishes from Ski's and Scruff's

🙃😻 x

[jmsutt73 in reply to skischool]

skischool, I have read this before. My pulmo has never said anything about it to me, and he takes my sats both with and without oxygen and has seen it high, 98 on oxygen. My lpm is 2 on casual walking, 3 if I am cleaning house...J

[skischool in reply to jmsutt73]

HI Jm 88-92 % is the desired and safe level for patients with a known lung condition such as Copd,it is what all hospital doctors aim to achieve but of course that is a minimum level and we are all individuals with different conditions and some may benefit from different regimes.It may well be that you are not a Co2 retainer and a higher level of oxygen saturation will do you no harm at all.

Best wishes.

[_9carole in reply to skischool]

Hi, I was on oxygen for 17 hours. Well I tried! What with work found it hard. Then was taken in hospital for having too much carbon dioxide in me. Re tested me. Found out I didn't need it after all. One minute getting used to all this oxygen. Then none at all. But now out walking need oxygen and exerting myself. Try sometimes to do without. Don't know if that is good or not.

[O2Trees in reply to skischool]

Surely on air there is no upper limit, Mike. Doesn’t the 88-92% only apply to supplemental oxygen?

[skischool in reply to O2Trees]

Of course there is no limit Jean unless of course you are a retainer which is why the vast majority of hospital drs treating people with respiratory conditions whose history on occasions is unknown to them stick to those safe levels.X

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

the very reason why each individual needs to be properly assessed and not just rely on what is said here at BLF support community.

[Hidden]

Hi Aingeful,

My oxygen levels range between 94 - 96 (I just check and it was at 91 ! but after a short wait it went to 95%

I think as yours are consistenly low on rising it may well be worth asking for referral*, I wonder if you have checked after activity or if you take measurements 3 x daily to be sure they are staying low or if the rise as the day progress, then you can be confident in your request*.

*The respiratory team at the hospital and consultant can advise you, request referral for arteriel blood gas test, if you are pretty sure your oximeter is as accurate as that of the NHS professionals

Do let us know how you get on.

[jmsutt73 in reply to Hidden]

I agree, Bkin. It concerns me when so little attention is given to low sats, because of the potential for pulmonary hypertension. J

[jmsutt73]

I have been on supplemental oxygen ever since my oxygen dropped to 82 after I walked a city block in 93 degree heat in September 2017. It happened that this was the day after Tom Petty dropped dead, which first news reports said was due to his oxygen dropping. ( I still had my daughter's oximeter and I had been watching my oxygen for a couple of months, since it was lower than usual one day when I was in for a regular checkup, but it was not dangerously low, 92. Still the Dr. wanted me to watch it.) I got in the car drove straight to the doctor's office. There my oxygen was 96 while sitting, it dropped to 85 when the nurse practitioner did the 6 minute walk test. She was going to let me come home without oxygen, the doctor made a different decision (his dad and I are the same age and he had heard about Petty, too. ...he put me on supplemental oxygen, and referred me to a pulmonologist. (Later, I learned that Petty may have been chemically altered, but we were after all the same age.) I was told to use the oxygen at least 15 hours a day. Since then I have been told to use it 24/7. I had not realized it, but PFT showed that the IPF had progressed, so while the pulmo did not increase the lpm, he did say to use it 24/7. I have not shown any symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, which is a result of low oxygen saturation. My pulmo always checks my ankles for swelling as this, he says, is a symptom of PH. Hope this helps...J

[Beachballs]

Hi Aingeful , my Sats range from 89-91 dropping down to 77 when I walk, I use oxygen for climbing the stairs and for a walk as advised by the Respirotory nurse . However, with Covid , contact with the Respiratory Nurse has been limited and it’s very hit and miss . Learnt more about Oxygen on this forum!!

[B0xermad]

Hi Aingeful,I generally have a reading of 93/95 at 1st reading then it goes up to 96/98 mostly during the day if I go walking or do the dreaded housework it goes to 95 again.

[garshe]

Morning Sheila , I was having a problem in December as I had a chest infection and on walking my oxygen dropped to 77..whilst sitting it was 95. I phoned my Respiratory team and one of the nurses came to my house. They were short staffed owing to Covid-19. Nathan Consulted with Katrina the oxygen nurse as she was in isolation owing to covid. Within 24hrs I had the Bay oxygen delivering oxygen. I was told to use it for 16hrs a day. Since then I have been assessed by Katrina at the hospital and now only use it when needed My oxygen is 94/95 when sitting but drops on walking but I dont check it all the time as this can drive you crazy. I still have the oxygen ,the main one in my bedroom which the lovely gentleman from Bay gave me quite a long tube so I can walk around the house with. I also have a large cylinder and 2 smaller ones to take out .I dont need it every day but it's such a comfort to have it here. I would definitely check with your Respiratory team and explain everything. The main thing is how low is your oxygen when walking or any even slight excertion as this is what they check to see if oxygen is required.I control my breathing and stop when I feel out of breath and my oxygen level goes back up. This way I dont require the oxygen all the time . Any questions just ask as here to help .forgot to mention, I was told the oxygen also protects your heart and other organs. My heart rate was high in December so check that also.All normal now . I use the oxygen when having my bath and this is fantastic as no breathlessness. Good luck from one Sheila to another. xx💕💕 skischool says the same wise person also Beachballs. xx

[watergazer]

Hi aingeful. Lovely to hear from you. Hope you are doing well now x some helpful advice for you from our lung buddies x

[Aingeful]

Thank you all!.Ive been at the hospital all day,not for my lungs ( for a Rituximab infusion) they were checking my blood pressure and oxygen all day. They did say that someone with COPD ( in my case pulmonary fibrosis) can have a norm of 88-92. Mine seemed to be mainly 89 today.I see the respiratory consultant on Thursday, I will run it all by him as well.

[Timberman]

Hi, Funny coincidence as I just had my gas levels checked. They were OK which is pleasing. I do tend to hold CO2 levels up a bit so more exercise will help that - it is the cold that keeps me from longer walks so as the weather improves it should do so too.

I often wake to oximeter levels as low as 78 but they pick up to 92 or so within about 10-15 minutes which is considered OK for a severe COPDS with AF.

I would say your levels are OK but I am no expert. Use of oxygen is not something you need to contemplate I suggest. There are all sorts of implications to be considered first, not least the fire risk of having oxygen tanks around.

When I go to Pulmonary Rehab sessions I am often sad to see people who are no more breathless than I, trailing portable Oxygen tanks around and seemingly dependent on them. l I once asked a nurse about it; she said they find it comforting but she was not sure it helps much really.

May I suggest you take your sats first thing and then about an hour later when you have done all the usual morning things (I find the shower and drying can use up a lot of oxygen!) and you are sitting quietly? You may be pleased to see how your sats have settled in the low to mid 90s.

[Aingeful]

Thank you Timberman, I will try that.

[Aingeful]

I had my lung function test this morning at the hospital. Even though I feel I have got more breathless they said my condition hasn't deteriorated much since last time. I will see them again in six months. They said to just try and keep active and look after myself etc. I will try to stop stressing ,if that's possible!!

🤔