My neighbour who is a nurse, told me... - Lung Conditions C...

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My neighbour who is a nurse, told me she thinks my Doctors might have it wrong about my copd,

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12 years ago•20 Replies

She done a blood oxygen count on my finger and said that it read 94%, and that if I had copd it would 92% or below, has anyone esle had this type of reading and still classed as copd?

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20 Replies

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kimmy5912 years ago

I know when I first went in with Pnuemonia mine was 78, while I was ill the nurses who came out to me wanted mine above 88 but happier when it was 92 or 93, after coming back from Scotland mine went up to 95 which was unusal. Maybe you could ring the helpline for advice I'm not expert.

Kim

blue112 years ago

Hi redmod, when I was first diagnosed with moderate copd in June (in hospital) they tried to keep my sats between 88 and 92%. When I was discharged and felt much better it can fluctuate between 94% to 99% but unfortunately I still have copd and I believe it is normal for your oxygen saturation to change.

12 years ago

I don't have COPD but I do have lung disease. Mine sit at rest and room temperatures at about 97/98%. It drops when I get active. Not sure if there's a 'trigger point' that you should or shouldn't be at. That surely depends on the severity of your condition. If in doubt speak to your GP. Others on here are much better versed than I am though!

Gordon5712 years ago

With all due respect to the neighbour, are they trained in COPD and/or lung conditions to be able to make that statement? My sister in law is a nurse practitioner but will not advise me on my condition as it's not her area.

I've only had this test done twice myself, and have no idea what the results were anyway, so I can't really say much, apart from get it checked out with your COPD/respiratory nurse to find out what's right for you.

jojam12 years ago

I agree with Gordon if your neighbour is not trained as a respiratory nurse she is not qualified to make such a statement.

O2 leveles can be variable during the day & dependant on what you are doing at the time. People with COPD can have levels of 94 at rest but they drop when active.

Most oximeters have a tolerance of +/- 2% so although the reading was 94% it may only have been 92%. COPD is not diagnosed by blood oxygen levels alone.

Be guided by your medical team not your neighbour.

12 years ago

I agree 100 pc with the above. You need to get it checked out with your own medical providers. I have a friend who is a nurse but she wouldnt dream of trying to diagnose about anything not in her field of speciality (though she did do my corn for me and it didn't come back!).

Gordon57• in reply to12 years ago

And got you weeks supply of free breakfast...? (corn flakes!)

• in reply toGordon5712 years ago

Theres always one! lol

Mocarey12 years ago

Agree with all the others. leave it to the experts. My resting rate is between 90/92 but any activity it falls to around 85. But oxygen brings me back up to 90. Everyone is different.

Lynne195512 years ago

I agree with everyone else. I definately have moderate COPD (FEV1 55%) and my oxygen whenever tested is 99%.

Lynne x

Catnip12 years ago

Just to put in my two penn'orth; I've got severe emphysema and my SATS can get as high as 96 when I'm doing well. You need to get checked out by a specialist.

~Cheers

Catnip

RichardAT12 years ago

COPD cannot be diagnosed by oxygen sats. I have severe COPD and my sats at rest are usually 93/94%

A CT scan is usually the best method and spyromitory testing, take care, Richard

12 years ago

my blood oxygen is 99% on rest, and my doctors says i have moderate copd,

don't forget shes only a nurse, i think richards right on this one,

rose xxx

12 years ago

Thanks to all of you for your replies, I guess liserning to over the wall advice from the neighbour is not the answer,no matter how good the intension, at the moment I beleive I am well so until i start feeling worse I will keep a way from the Doctors, sometimes the thought going to the Doctor makes me on edge.

Gordon57• in reply to12 years ago

If you can't go to discuss this with your doctor, why not call the helpline during the week for a reassuring chat ?

Jo_BLFHelplineBritish Lung Foundation12 years ago

Hi Redmod

Just to echo everyones elses thoughts - COPD cannot be diagnosed though pulse oximetry. I am not aware of any information regarding the 92% figure. People can have COPD and have perfectly normal O2 levels - why don't you give us a call - we are happy to talk you through this.

Cheers

• in reply toJo_BLFHelpline12 years ago

Hi JO, thanks for looking in on my question, I am new to copd & all the complications that may come to me, i have asked another question about the feeling of food or crumbs in the throat, I have received some good responses.

What I would like if possible is a dvd on what copd is & what life has install for me .

At the moment my results are that I am slightly mild copd, but no one has said what I have either emphysema or what ever.

That thing about my throat my wife said to ignore it, is she right?

Thanks

Adrian

redmod

kaz67• in reply toJo_BLFHelpline10 years ago

Afternoon Jo! shall be in touch as well,was diagnosed with c.o.p.d on the 9th of June last month following a very long infection that wouldn't respond to two lots of antibiotics from February this year, had bad coughing before February & it got worse from when the infection started

I had an x-ray & spirometry tests which confirm I have c.o.p.d & am on symbicort 200/6, was given a blue inhaler first then when the c.o.p.d was confirmed was put on symbicort have had two lots of thrush even through rinsing mouth which was painful, Am on thyroxine from a baby have had hypothyroidisim all my life & high blood pressure for years since 2003 then got it under control then got worse in 2009, got it under control again & my BP rose to dangerous levels since being on symbicort.I had a blood count of number of pointers can't remember what they were as it was hard to concentrate, the blood tests came back normal which leads me to think maybe I don't need the symbicort no more, perhaps I don't have c.o.p.d though Iv'e never felt so drained in my entire life & get out of breath alot,I find my oxygen levels drop when I'm resting,which sounds weird as most people I read about have low oxygen when moving about, I have a son of five who has asthma that's on three different medicines one of which he only needs if breathless,wheezing or coughing too much, I dread to think of the outcome of my son's & my health, I know I'm not alone & am not new to healthunlocked!I'm so relived there's support such as British health foundation where else would we go for support! could anyone of you shed some light on my confusion on the blood tests I mentioned can you still have c.o.p.d with normal blood tests!?

aldothelad11 years ago

yes i have emphysema/copd confimed by scan and xray dont know a lot of what you talking about but remember 99%oxygen iin blood,yet i am always struggling even on flat roads,never mind hills,dont do anything as doc dont give a toss