Hi. I have COPD and Asthma.
The past few weeks my oxygen sats have been dropping when walking. They are normal when sitting.
Thus morning I pushed myself to walk fir 15 mins and when I check my O2 level when I got home it was 77.
On resting it quickly went back to 93.
Thoughts please
There is a helpline number here you could contact for advice .
Does your lung health professional know about your change in O2 levels …I would contact them today too and tell them .
Hi Sue are you currently on supplementary oxygen? xx 🍀
Hi. No I am not on oxygen
Hello Sue. I think Sheila has given good advice. Go slow and try to use the pursed lip breathing method. It wont help your oxygen saturation but it helps a bit with breathlessness. I hope you mention it to your doctor at your next appointment. They may recommend using supplementary oxygen. Best wishes to you. Cas 🙋♀️
I am the same Sue I just walk much slower and stop now and then so my breathing gets better. I don't check my oxygen when out and about, just stop when I feel a little breathless
I am great if inside a shop as I now take a shopping trolley around with me. I find I can go around without any problems.
Take care xxSheila 😢💕
I have low sats when exercising, I was given oxygen for when exercising, use it when I use my treadmill & exercise at home but don’t use it when I go out, don’t get on well with it, can’t use it outside when it’s raining due to battery getting wet, so with our weather being as it is I don’t take it out with me. I don’t drive so depend on public transport, also quite heavy, can’t use a trolley for it as need to have a handbag with purse, keys, phone, inhaler etc in, so just use at home, maybe you need your blood oxygen levels checked. It’s just a test done on your wrist which isn’t painful at all. 😊💐🌷x
Hi loopylorre you can buy a ba unpack specially for the unit and in pink x
Hi Currygirl, I have a backpack I can use, but still find it heavy to carry with a cross body bag, the battery is heavy 😊💐 x
Do you get out of breath? Just wondering if it may be a normal thing for everyone?
this is normal, my consultant told me it’s how quickly the sats return to a more acceptable level once the exertion has stopped. If the figure doesn’t increase within a few minutes of stopping the exertion then it’s time to talk to your consultant/GP
Agree when I go for my oxygen assessment at hospital, the walk down the long corridor to the assessment room is a test for me. When I get there I am short of breath and oxygen level is low 80's. I sit down and as long my oxygen recovers and gets to 90's quite quickly no problem. If it takes longer I have to have blood taken from wrist for test. Thank goodness last few tests oxygen gets back up quickly. I have oxygen at home but only use it occasionally, for bathing usually. I do not take it out with me as cylinder too heavy and also don't like the tube in my nose whilst out . xxSheila
Hi, yes, do contact the nurse or GP soon about your sats dropping. They may well refer you for an oxygen assessment, although if you have used oral steroids lately the you may have to wait for an 02 assessment for 3 months. It is well worth getting an assessment and don’t be fobbed off as low sats can really harm the organs if your 02 levels are low for too long.
If it turns out you do need oxygen then it isn’t the end of the world and can make a huge difference to keeping well. I have been using oxygen for 7 years now and the quality of my life is good. I still only need it when up and about.
Let us know how you get on.
Wishing you well.
Pauline
I think you will find that this is perfectly normal certainly happens to me. As long as it goes back to normal on rest you should be fine hope this helps you
Thankyou everyone
I agree with all comments, 70s is quite low so you need Ambulatory 02.Contact your Respiratory nurse for an assessment.
Ask your local Respiratory/Thoracic team for an 'oxygen during exertion' assessment. I've just had one and now am all set up for supplemental oxygen.
They regard regularly falling below 90% as dangerous for your system as a whole.
Chris
I know exactly how you feel. In fact I cannot walk even five minutes without a rest. I have stopped taking my oximeter out with me as it is too depressing and too inhibiting. A fll to high 70s is not uncommon; 92-5 at rest is normal.
The important thing, as I understand it and have had it explained to me is the recovery time. And that we can improve by breathing technique. and there is plenty of advice around to help.
I have twice ended up in A&E as a result of a COPD professional finding my sats too low. On both occasions recovery was pretty rapid and the intervention was not as necessary as it had seemed.
I am on 1lpm O2 at 15 hours per day with ambulatory as required (both by concentrators). If I get a 78 low sat I start my breathing exercise whether on or off O2. Without the gas I return to 90+ in about 2-3 minutes maximum. On O2 it can be as quick as 1-2 minutes even at 1lpm (I am permitted to raise it briefly to 2lpm if needed).
Now given that this is at one of the most peripheral (toes are furthest) points on the boidy it is a safe bet that my vital organs are at 99+ at worst. And since I get no palpitations or dizziness or other cerebral symptoms my heart and brain are clearly well oxygenated.
So these are the things to focus on - breathing technique; speed of recovery; heart and brain symptoms.
Some exercise if vital but all exercise consumes oxygen so just take care, don't over do it but always, do it the best you can.
I had that problem. I went to the resp. clinic and was tested on the 6 minute walk test. You are tested to check spo2 with and without oxygen. In my case they prescribed ambulatory oxygen. It doesn't stop you getting breathless but ensures the organs of your body get sufficient oxygen. There are some who can't have the oxygen because they are Co2 retainers. I believe they are in the minority.
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