O2 levels suddenly drop

[looper]

Been diagnosed with emphysema for a few years and my O2 levels have been stable, in the last few weeks the have settled at 90/91 but randomly without warning dip to the mid 80’s for anything from a few seconds to upto 5mins. Does anyone else experience this?

[2greys]

Hi looper.

I get this occasionally, but I take my finger back out of the unit and then try again which usually works and it then gives a better reading.

[looper in reply to 2greys]

This is happening with two different O2 meters, One of the sats meters I’ve had for years, and has worked brilliantly the second is one you can wear for hours and it will down load the data to a pc, or phone

[hypercat54 in reply to looper]

I understand that it's not dangerous unless it stays below around 90 for long periods or dips very low. I have copd and my levels are usually in the low 90's but when I had a fall and the paramedics were called they tested it and said they were concerned as it went down to 85. After a few minutes it climbed back up again so they said that was fine.

Lack of oxygen can damage your other organs but being quite low for a short period shouldn't affect them. If you are normally well with your normal oxygen levels that should be fine. I am but we are all different.

You can always ring the BLF nurses and the number is on the site. They work office hours.

[mikeadams51 in reply to looper]

Been looking for an oxy meter that can download data for ages. Who is it made by and where can you buy one from. Thankyou in advance

[looper in reply to mikeadams51]

The new on I have is from Amazon, not cheap

Blue tooth O2 meter with iPhone app

[mikeadams51 in reply to looper]

Thankyou

[2greys in reply to looper]

Have you wondered why they take time to display the results, it is because they take time to calibrate themselves, low voltage from the batteries can have an effect on this. An error in that calibration will give inaccurate results. Try putting your finger in sideways, so the infrared light does not travel through the finger nail, a useful tip for those wearing nail polish.

[looper in reply to 2greys]

Nail polish is something I’ve ever been into, although during lockdown I have grown a quite impressive pony tail, which with the impending returning to normal, I’ve had to part company with Re the calibration, given I’m into the electronics and some coding and these oximetry meters can work on a variety of fingers of all ages from anywhere it is a rolling 5 measurement average, so the longer you have it .... the more accurate the reading

[CDPO16]

Hi looper. I have emphysema and my oxygen levels only drop to the mid 80's when I'm doing anything active, even very slight activity. It doesn't happen when I'm sat doing nothing. I think that you should inform your doctor about your levels dropping.

[looper in reply to CDPO16]

I did, but in the 20 seconds she put put her sats meter on my finger the reading was stable in the low 90’s, I have no idea what triggers it in the day, bu the moment I have a kip, even sitting in a chair it drops and the alarm goes off

[CDPO16 in reply to looper]

Your doctor doesn't seem fo have taken things very seriously. Keep a record of how often and when your levels are dropping and push your doctor for more tests. Her 20 second check seems hardly worthwhile. Sorry that I can't suggest anything else other than, as hypercat suggested, it may be worth phoning the BLF nurses for advice.

[Echoblue]

Just a thought - may be worth looking into sleep apnoea if it is happening when you fall asleep?

[looper in reply to Echoblue]

It’s the events in the day I’d like to know more about and it’s only started in the last 2 weeks, I’m at once/ twice per hour currently and if it gets worse can will it drop lower?

[Echoblue in reply to looper]

I agree with CDP016 re BLF nurses for a conversation. Definitely worth making a note of the variances, what you did just before, what it went from and to and for how longe etc. if you are able to graph it all the better as it may help create a better overview to assist clinicians get to the reason quicker. Wishing you all the best for answers 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Maricopa in reply to looper]

Can’t really make a guess as to what it may do. My sats at rest run 91-2. Upon exertion they run a constant 85 and at times have been in the 70’s. My pulmonologist doesn’t seem concerned and doesn’t have me on oxygen. He says oxygen isn’t for everyone. However common sense tells me this can’t possibly be good on my organs. What to do…ho hum

I get tired of asking him, hey don’t you think it alarming my oxy sats go so low?

[Ergendl]

Do you forget to breathe? Before I was diagnosed with COPD I had a habit of breathing out and then not breathing in for quite a while. Not sure why. Also check whether you slowly shallow breathe at the top of your lungs at times.

[Beachballs]

Hi Looper , I have this , where my oxygen levels drop to 73 - 78 , this usually happens when I switch to and from ambulatory to Supplementary oxygen , but it soon comes back up . Worth a mention again to your Respirotory nurse.Good luck!

[Dedalus]

My normal levels are 90-92 (and I use oxygen on exertion).

[SparkySW123]

Hi looper, My situation is similar to CDPO16. The slightest activity can cause my sats to drop to mid 80s but if I'm sitting doing nothing, they're usually stable at around 91-92. Also, sometimes when I've eaten a decent meal, they will drop for a while. When I get anxious they also drop to mid 80s and I have to do some calming breathing exercises. It could be that the weather is affecting you, particularly the humidity. Like you I have emphysema and get quite breathless when it's humid. I would pester your doctor about this and try to get a solution.

[Santap in reply to SparkySW123]

I have the same problem with my sats. Mine are usually low 90s but any exertion and they drop to 80s. Practice nurse called today and I explained that over the past few weeks my breathing has been a lot worse. She recommended I take an antihistamine I have since took 1/2 an antihistamine and I feel so much better. Nurse says this has been a comment problem over the last few weeks with people who have copd. It's worth a try but so far so good I feel like I can breath again.

[SparkySW123 in reply to Santap]

Interesting, what you say, Santap. Yes, those of us with any form of lung disease can find it very difficult to cope during the 'pollen season'. An anti-histamine is a godsend. I've tried several over many years as I have 6 grass allergies and that's aside all the others! This time of the year I have always taken 180 mgs of Fexofenadine which you can only get on prescription. So pleased to hear your anti-histamines are giving you comfort. Go well.

[Santap in reply to SparkySW123]

Thank you. As I said so far so good breathing feels so much easier and my chest doesn't feel so tight not coughing as much either. So glad other people are in the same position as me who understand what it's like. Stay well

[stamford1234]

I have to have two bashes at making sure the oximeter is actually functioning. I hope this is the case for you. However my reading goes down alarmingly in hot weather/high pollen count. I hope you get sorted soon

[anng18]

Hi Looper,

I have emphysema.

My O2 Sat.s go down with exertion, but no one seems to bothered. It even happened when I was doing the final test at the end of a pulmonary rehab. course. They dropped to 86 after the walk. When I exert myself, even only slightly, they drop into the low 80s, but come up quite quickly, back into the 90s. In our present season of high pollen/humidity, they've dropped to 78/79, but rise quite quickly.

As Maricopa says, it bothers me, as what is it doing to my other organs, but no one has suggested oxygen therapy.

They also go down in the evening, after a meal and when I'm lying down. I monitor myself against my healthy husband, whose sat.s, whilst always good, do come down a bit after a meal and when he is sleeping.

[SparkySW123 in reply to anng18]

Yes, same here. anng18. My sats drop after eating and I have it from my respiratory nurse, that your sats will drop whilst sleeping. They are also low when I get up in the morning and it takes a while for them to come up. I use oxygen whilst walking/exercising to prevent my sats dropping too low. Like you, when they drop too low (on air), they come come up quite quickly into the 90s. If, they drop too low, i.e. below 88 frequently, I would suggest that you contact a nurse in pulmonary rehab or your respiratory nurse if you have one, and let them know that you are concerned about the effect on your other organs. If you don't get a satisfactory reply, then keep pestering them.

[ant66]

Yes , it has happen to me , nor sure if I must contact the doctor?

[garshe in reply to ant66]

I had my oxygen test at hospital last week. I was put on oxygen last December for 16hrs daily. My sats then were dropping to 77. They take blood from vein on wrist for accurate reading. Was told in March I was borderline .Last Thursday did the long walk down corridor etc then oxygen check and though it dipped to 80's came back up very fast when I rested to 94 and even 95/96. I didnt have the blood test as didnt require it . and have been taken off oxygen as levels ok. My Respiratory nurse told me as long as it comes back up to over 93/94 that's ok and no harm done. Good luck .xxSheila 🥰💕

[ant66 in reply to garshe]

Thanks a million , that sounds good to me !!

[Aingeful]

My levels dip when my hands are cold. There can be all sorts of reasons for it.