Desaturation

[sueysue]

Hi I have had empysema and asthma for 22 years. Have also now got suspected bronchiectasis. My question is : Does anyone's sats drop to low 80s as soon as they move, but go back up as soon as they rest

[gingermusic]

Contact your GP or consultant asap as NO it should not drop that low. I have Emphysema and Bronchiectasis and am on oxygen all the time and must not allow my oxygen to drop lower than 88 without calling for help so do please get in touch with your GP.

[anng18]

Ginger is technically right, but my saturation levels do the same as yours and nobody seems very interested, even on the pulmonary rehab. course I went on. I think it depends how quick they resume higher levels, but whilst they are low, they can be causing gradual damage to other organs (oxygen deprivation). All very depressing!

[Daisychains01 in reply to anng18]

Same here. They told my dad, not to worry about that too much unless he really feels it.

[Tykelady]

Absolutely. I am on oxygen but when sitting can switch it off. My levels are alarming especially after getting up, bathed and dressed and even with it on any exertion can cause a sharp drop but I was told that between 89 -92 would be a reasonable level for me. I seem to have fallen off the radar for the oxygen nurses as I should be monitored every six months. By sitting and breathing correctly mine will rise as rapidly as they fall and if they don't then I start my steroids and visit A&E.

[Albert1997 in reply to Tykelady]

you’re lucky - I’m on DNR - a carbon retainer on NIV machine .....??

Have had no advice what action to take should I have a serious turn - despite Consultant writing to GP to supply a 24 hr blood pressure monitor...and despite my asking Surgery when it will be available...I am told -

You’re in the queue

It’s out for use

It’s broken

Don’t know where it is

If your Consultant wants you to have machine - tell them to supply machine themselves

Message passed to Consultant

Nothing????

This started some three months ago - plenty of time to have had a heart attack - and with DNR - no further action need be taken.

🥵

Bye

[sueysue in reply to Albert1997]

That's awful ! I am waiting for a 24 hour heart holter monitor been waiting weeks !

[Annieosb]

Minne go to high 70s when i exert myself. Waiting on oxygen assessment. Anyone on oxygen for this?

[sueysue in reply to Annieosb]

Do they go straight back up when you rest ? Good luck with assessment x

[Annieosb in reply to sueysue]

They do but only after vigorous breathing!Thank you x

[SparkySW123]

Like you I have emphysema and ashma. Don't know whether I have brochiectasis but definitely my sats drop to low 80s and more when I move from A to B. Since this last chest infection I have been on half a litre of oxygen 24/7. As soon as I sit down and rest, my sats will start going up again. Hope it's reassuring to know that you are not alone.

[sueysue in reply to SparkySW123]

Yes it is hum. Thankyou xx

[Thepainterswife]

My husbands levels should be 88-92 but they sometimes drop to 70’s which we deal with by switching the 02 from 2 ( his normal rate ) to 4 , even when sitting. the levels then go up within less than 10 minutes . We’ve been told by the respiratory team that it’s fine to do this as long as he’s not on the higher volume for hours on end ( he’s oxygen sensitive) Everyone is different, at different stages and your treatment needs to be tailored to you so if your worried I’d consult the respiratory team. Personally I wouldn’t worry too much about the drop as long as it’s only for short spells and you recover quickly with rest , O2 or deep breathing 😊

[Anselm198]

I was told that I shouldn't go below 87% and if I get there to first try a neb and turn my oxygen up to 6 litres if after 20 mins there is no improvement to dial 999. We are all different but I have severe asthma with COPD.Hope that helps and please don't let your Sats drop too low.

[Albert1997 in reply to Anselm198]

unfortunately I am not allowed oxygen or mebs as I am a carbon retainer - and was told as long as my oxygen level and blood pressure returns to normal within ten minutes - then that’s OK .

No answer was given to me as to what would happen if my readings remained high whilst carrying out a necessary function.

As I am a DNR is the reason why my Consultant asked my GP to supply a 24 he monitor.

See my previous comment.