Volatile SATS

[Pentreath]

Has anyone had experience of volatile SATS? For a while now I have been experiencing even more fatigue plus other symptoms. I do have an oxymeter and when checking my levels have been consistently low - down to 82 in April. My granddaughter was staying with me and she phoned 111 who sent paramedics who were great and after 3/4 of an hour got the level back up into the mid 90s. Usually when this happens, I sit down, take deep breaths and use the reliever inhaler as recommended by the asthma nurse and the level does eventually rise but this can take half an hour. I have asthma, bronchiectasis and NTM. Any thoughts would be welcome. Thank you.

[Patk1]

Mine drop low when tired

[Brikel]

when I had a similar experience I was put on ambulatory oxygen

[Badbessie]

I think this is something that needs to be discussed with your Asthma/COPD nurse. Over the last couple of years I have had problems with low saturations later on in the day. I would suggest you record when your saturations drop to see if there is a pattern. Also record when you take your preventer and rescue inhaler. I found that my preventer was not lasting until my next dose if I did not makes sure they were exactly spaced 12 hours apart.Then my preventer did not last the full 12 hours until my next dose. The nurse changed my inhaler and the problem stopped. There are numerous inhalers and you may need to change your dose or inhaler for a longer acting one.

I also tend to drop my saturations if I push myself physically and do not rest enough. I think pulmonary rehabilitation may help you.

[Biker88]

during a recent spell in hospital I was on 24/7 oxygen, my consultant told me my levels should stay between 88-92 as I have lung diseases. Once I came home I was given an oxygen assessment and I’m now on ambulatory oxygen. This is because at rest my sats are around 92-96 but as soon as I move they drop to high 70s low 80s. Ask for an oxygen assessment, usually a 6 min walk test,

[Izb1]

I have to remind myself to breathe, each time my sat's have been checked with doctor/hospital they say take deep breaths, I think I must shallow breathe for some reason x

[Biker88 in reply to Izb1]

Shallow breathing is the norm for most people, have a look for info on diaphragm breathing technique. Practice and after a while it will become your new normal breathing. A good physio can normally help with assessing your breathing and if necessary teach you diaphragm breathing

[Izb1 in reply to Biker88]

Thank you, something I will need to look into. I wake up in the night gasping for breath so perhaps need some help. My Sat's as usually around 82_90 x

[PaulineHM]

Hi Pentreath,

Mmmmmm a bit of a conundrum then ?

Sats of below 90 even for a short while won’t be helping your body stay in good health . Did your sats come up with oxygen?Are you planning to see your GP about it ?

If your GP doesn’t find another reason for it, then in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would be asking for an oxygen assessment. It’s a simple assessment, and doesn’t take long .

Let us know how you get on please.

Go well,

Pauline

[Pentreath Volunteer]

Thank you for your responses. I should be seeing my consultant within the next month or so. Am keeping a record of SATS and how long it takes to go from low (record low was 70) back to what is normal for me - low 90s. I did mentioned this to a GP last year but he seemed unconcerned as if I take deep breaths, use the reliever as recommended by the asthma nurse and sit quietly it does recover. Having looked online it seems that the speed of recovery is the key indicator and mine vary from 15-30 minutes. I will report back when I have seen the consultant - first face to face since 2019!

[Ern007]

I have had volatile sats - but mainly at night. I find at times they go as low as 80, then recover - I have a 24 hour recording oximeter - I take an overnight rest then there is softerware that tells me lows and how long in a low. Same with my pulse, went as low as 31 and that caused concern-

82 is low, I have never been so low for an extened period, lots get very low spikes that soon recover, but 82 means you need to talk with your Asthma Nurse, it is stays for any length of time, ring 111.

[Nula2]

Hi, sorry I can't offer any advice but hopefully some of the helpful members can. I hope you don't mind me asking but how do you measure your Sats, I'm not even sure I know what Sats mean and as far as I know have never had them measured. (I have Bronchiectasis, Asthma and recurring Aspergillosis). Thank you xxxx