Hypoxaemia

[Easyhaler]

Good morning, I have recently been diagnosed with Hypoxaemia & awaiting home oxygen, 3 months waiting list I've been told il have to at least wait, I have COPD, ENLARGED HEART & PULMONARY OEDEMA yet nobody will explain what these diagnosis are or what medication the doctor/consultant should be prescribing?? Basically ive had all these tests done ..ie ECOCARDIOGRAM, CT SCAN, etc Im also living in a flat with damp and mould yet I'm really worn out struggling to get answers & my doctors to let me know what the result of my recent tests are, could anybody offer me any advice as to what I should do please.

[peege]

Hi, do you have the NHS app? On it I find test results as well as check appointments and re-order prescriptions. I was looking as blood test results the other day because there's precious little info coming from the surgery or GPs. It's useful tool.

Also I often look up ailments &/or diagnosis on the NHS website, this is very very useful explaining ailments or diagnosis and possible treatments. I shall look up Hypoxaemia for you and add what I find (if anything) in a few minutes.

I hope you find this of some use.

Edit: from NHS website: (but you'll find more info if you look it up yourself)

Hypoxemia is a serious medical condition that occurs when the level of oxygen in your blood is too low, resulting in your body's organs and tissues not getting enough oxygen to function properly. The NHS considers blood oxygen levels below 90% to be low and a sign of hypoxemia.

Symptoms of hypoxemia include: Shortness of breath, Confusion, Headaches, Rapid breathing, and Fast or pounding heartbeat.

Hypoxemia can be caused by a number of things, including: lung disease, heart disease, carbon monoxide poisoning, and loss of normal lung function.

Depending on the severity and duration, hypoxemia can lead to mild symptoms or death. In severe cases, it can interfere with heart and brain function.

If you feel unwell or need emergency oxygen, you should call 999.

Causes of heart attack - NHS

A less common cause of heart attacks is a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). If levels of oxygen in the blood decrease due to carbon monoxide poisoning or a loss of norm...

nhs.uk

Home oxygen treatment - NHS inform

Phone 999 if you: * feel unwell. * need emergency oxygen.

NHS inform

Hypoxemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Hypoxemia is when oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal. If blood oxygen levels are too low, your body may not work properly. Someone with low blood ...

[Easyhaler in reply to peege]

Thank you for being so kind & giving me so much information, ill have a look on the nhs website.

[MoyB]

Good morning!

So sorry to hear you are getting so little support re your recent diagnosis, and having to wait 3 months for oxygen must be worrying for you.

Peege has written a post which I hope you will find very helpful. I endorse everything she has said and cannot add anything except moral support!

Please don't feel you are alone with this. I'm sure someone else will be along soon who has had a similar experience re the oxygen and may be able to offer some suggestions of how to manage while you wait, or, more importantly, how to get it sooner.

Best wishes,

xx Moy

[PaperQueen]

I can't add much to Peege's reply except I wonder, if your GP is so difficult to pin down, do you have a respiratory nurse at your local surgery? I often find them more helpful and able to give more time. Hopefully they could explain things to you. Also you should get the mould in your flat sorted out, it really is bad for you. If you are in rented then it might be worth contacting one of the charities like SHELTER who not only help the homeless but support people experiencing unfit or unsafe housing. Find them on-line and look at 'Landlord and tenant responsibilities for repairs'.

Wishing you loads of luck and I do hope they get your oxygen sorted soon and your questions answered.

[Biker88]

I waited 2 months for my ambulatory oxygen because they wanted my chest to settle after a major bleed and then my GP didn’t act on my discharge letter which asked them to arrange an oxygen assessment. I’m now on 2lt per minute when I’m not sitting or laying down. It does help a lot. We contacted the home oxygen team who do the assessment and arrange for the oxygen supply but they need a letter from your GP before they will act. My team is not based at the hospital they are part of community care

[Alberta56]

So sorry you are going through this ordeal. I would think you qualify for rehousing. Have you tried contacting your local Council? (Some are much better than others unfortunately.) For what it's worth I have a 'slightly enlarged' heart. Those are my doctor's words. He did not seem too concerned about it. It seems that, if you have heart or lung troubles, it can go with the territory. Hope yours is mild too. Trust you have been provided with all the things to help make your breathing most efficient- a suitable inhaler, information about ACB breathing technique and an AeroBika or Acapella to help with your breathing. Best wishes.

[Easyhaler in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for your reply, I have been told nothing about enlarged cardiac i spoke to the practice manager at my gp practice monday but im no nearer an explanation, what are 'ACCAPELLO & AEROBIKA??

[Alberta56 in reply to Easyhaler]

Acapella and AeroBika are small devices which you huff into to help you breathe more easily. I swear by my AeroBika which helped me bring up phlegm much more easily when I had a bad infection and has helped me improve my breathing technique since.

I am as much in the dark as you are about enlarged hearts. I think my GP did not want to worry me by making too much of it, but of course I read everything Doctor Google had to say about it as soon as I got home. Not a good idea- Dr. G manages to put the frighteners on you, whichever ailment you look up. Since my GP is normally very good at referring you for further tests/ treatments, if he thinks you need them, I trust it is not too worrying. I wish your GP were a bit more responsive. Have you tried the ALUK helpline yet?

[PaulineHM]

Hi,

So sorry that you find yourself in such a difficult situation.

Hypoxaemia, whatever the cause demands swift attention to prevent further damage and suffering.

May I suggest the following ?

Contact your consultant and say you require an urgent assessment for your low oxygen levels. It is important that you have this done sooner rather than later. Once they have assessed your need for oxygen then it should be with you pretty quickly.

The phone no for the secretary to your consultant will be on the copy of the letter to your GP which they have sent you.

Contact your local PALS office to see if they can help you.

Contact your local social prescribing service via your GP, or ask your GP to refer you for help with your damp mould housing situation

Call the Asthma Lung UK helpline if you need for more support.

I really hope you get help and support quickly.

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on won’t you.

Go well.

Pauline

[Easyhaler in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you so much Pauline I'll get onto them monday, i feel alone & a burden yet why am i facing barriers at every turn?? I will look up Pals & contact them & the consultant. Thanks again.

[PaulineHM in reply to Easyhaler]

Wishing you well and let us know how you get on wont you ?

Xx

[peege]

PS can you contact AgeConcern or AgeUK regarding the mould and damp in your home. They may have suggestions 🤞 .I had a little patch of it in my bedroom when rain was getting through and a crack in the outside render, a spray of white vinegar killed it and it's never come back. I've got a very small dehumidifier which I've just put in the cold corner & switch on after waking. (£25 on amazon a few years ago). Newer modern ones are brilliant because they're cheaper to run and shut off when the 2 litre reservoir is full. A Christmas gift?

[knitter]

hi I was diagnosed with an enlarged heart , had a 24 hour monitor , but told no further treatment needed .

High heart rate too …tachycardia.

Many electrocardiograms

Asthma / COPD . I try meditation and gentle , gentle breathing exercises to help with anxiety, but my O2 levels are OK

The ALUK helpline is open tomorrow , have a chat with them

[Easyhaler in reply to knitter]

Thank you

[Easyhaler]

I cant thank you all enough for your replies & information on who to contact. I hope i get the help im in need of.