Oxygen Sats🤔

[Latisha40]

Hi, I am trying to figure out how to raise my oxygen saturation, so that I can be off oxygen during the day. There 91 resting and between 75 to 85 when active. I had pneumonia for months. It's gone but my sats have remained low. I am left with acid reflux which I am wondering could possible be effecting my oxy sats? I am thinking I need to build up my stamina through exercise maybe, What do ye think? Any Advice,....

[Patk1]

I'd talk to Yr respiratory nurse at drs for advice.perhaps read up on gd breathing techniques,which may be useful

[Biggles550]

You could try and get on a Pulminory Rehabilitation Course , Supervised excercise and lectures on Respitory illnesses

[PaulineHM]

Hi Latisha,

We have very similar sats. I was diagnosed with Asthma/COPD in 2004.

It’s about of a pain isn’t it? I have been an oxygen user 6 years ago.

Scarring in the lungs from repeated infections/ exacerbations does bring with it a decline in lung function, as does a general decline the progress of the condition and ageing as well.

I keep myself as active and fit as possible, 3 exercise classes a week and eating a low carb diet fresh food diet, seek to avoid lung infections and yet still year on year my oxygen requirements increase. Fiddlesticks!

It’s depressing at times, particularly in the winter. You could have a chat with your oxygen nurse just to check it out maybe.

Be well,

Pauline

[Latisha40 in reply to PaulineHM]

Yes, I am eating a very plain diet, due to the acid reflux, and attempting to stay active. I am upping my activity at the mo, to see if that helps. I get a bad infection once every 4 or 5 yrs but am eventually able to snap back, in to action. Does acid reflux effect your breathing?

[O2Trees in reply to Latisha40]

You don't say what your sats were when active before you had pneumonia, or how many litres you use and for how many hours, or ambulatory? I obviously can't speak for your situation but after I had pneumonia (bilateral with respiratory failure, hospitalised for 2 week, then hospital care at home for further week) I was told by our respiratory physio that I would not regain my previous O2 levels. I had been using ambulatory oxygen for exertion (2 lpm) but not for anything else including lifting weights.

But with walking a bit more each day, doesn't matter how low you start, and lifting light weights with lots of resting time, I did get back to where Id been previously. That was in 2018 and I have more or less maintained this level ever since, still on 2 lpm for walking etc. But everyone is different and maybe I have just been lucky.

Reflux definitely can affect breathing. I have had nasty choking episodes and had to increase my reflux meds but that seems to have resolved. Ive found that breathing as far as possible through the nose - inhaling at least - helps with any breathlessness. I have never found that reflux affected my sats though.

Keep going with the exercise and let us know how you get on. I try to think of oxygen as my friend, this helps me with the frustration of having to rely on it. Take care.

[Latisha40 in reply to O2Trees]

Hey, I used to wear oxygen only at night, unless I am ILL. Oxygen were at 93 - 94 resting, 80s - 90s active. I am exercising but can't tell whether this is helping yet. Can't hurt I suppose. I'v been prescribed gastro resistent tablets, but I don't now why I suddenly need them. Beside the fact that my stomach is in bits. I am a small person and carrying oxygen around with me in all its varies forms is inconvent to say the least. Any way Ce La Vie! Thanks

[Hometeam2016 in reply to Latisha40]

When your oxygen drops does it effect you , are you breathless

[Welshcorgi]

I find using my acapella device puts my oxygen up. Colin.

[Latisha40 in reply to Welshcorgi]

Thanks, I had been thinking about trying that, so I will give it a go.

[Alberta56]

I think you're right about exercise, though it seems rather odd that exercise, which is good, makes our sats go down (bad ). Would your respiratory nurse be able to help?

[MoyB]

I believe acid reflux has affected my breathing. I've had it for years as have a hiatus hernia.

Recently, I was sent to hospital for investigations under the two week rule as I had a persistently hoarse voice for many months and then lost it completely. The tests identified reflux damage to my oesophagus.

The long term treatment for me is 30mg Lansoprazol in the morning, Famotidine at bed time, and Gaviscon Advance after meals and before bed. This is available on prescription. Also, I was advised to raise the head of the bed by 5 - 8 inches. We're managing 5 but 8 is just too high to sleep comfortably.

I was told to eat and drink nothing in the three hours before going to bed, although I do have tablets to take.

I avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes etc and don't eat too much spicy food, although I find if I eat it early in the evening or at lunch time, I can usually tolerate it.

I am fortunate that I have never needed oxygen at home, only when treated in hospital for pneumonia. However, I am aware that since treating the reflux more aggressively instead of just accepting it, my breathing is much better. I have asthma and bronchiectasis so take my Peak Flow morning and night. It has increased a lot and is now within normal expectations for my age, weight and height (according to my resp consultant).

There is a lot of advice online as there are a number of associations nationally that focus on reflux. I've just been trying to find one that I looked at a couple of weeks ago as it was excellent, but unfortunately, I can't remember the name! Also, though, there is a Health Unlocked Forum for Acid Reflux that you might find helpful.

Gentle exercise is good as I believe it helps the digestion process, but I don't mean a dozen star jumps straight after eating! Let the food go down for an hour before doing exercises, unless they are very gentle, like walking, or chair exercises.

I hope you manage to improve your sats. You may find that reflux is your problem.

xx Moy

[Hometeam2016]

Hi how r u now ? I’m going through something similar well my days go dwn when I walk around to 85 but if I sit dwn do my breathing they go up to 95 I’m waiting to find out some results from some tests hoping to find out what’s next