Oxygen Assessment question .

[zaney]

Hi , Can anybody tell me what the oxygen assessment entails please , I have been told to allow 3 to 4 hours for it , but havent a clue what they do . Thanks Su x

[Puffthemagicdragon]

All they did for me was to take a blood sample from a vein ( as apposed to the artery ) then give me oxygen for 20 to 30 minutes and take another sample. That was about it. Another chap there was given a walk test as well. I hope that helps.

[Hidden]

I had my oxygen saturation tested via a finger pulse oxymeter, then had blood taken from an artery whilst seated. I then used oxygen before having another arterial blood gas test to see what difference it made. It was found my sats had come up to an acceptable level. Others sometimes do not, then have to have the level of oxygen altered before a third blood test to ensure the correct amount is delivered. If it is suspected that you are desaturating more when mobile, they may ask you to do a six minute walk whilst monitoring your sats, then do this again whilst on oxygen. Some will take another blood gas sample at this stage. Good luck.

[Mocarey]

Only a few times has the arterial blood tests shown low oxygen levels for me and I am usually really ill then. However my consultant took me a walk along the corridor and that was enough to make my sats plummet and he decided I needed oxygen when moblie. I had already been prescribed it overnight because I would wake up gasping and my sats were down in the 70's.Having ambulatory oxygen has proved a godsend! Best of luck

[zaney]

Thanks for your replies , I just wondered why they wanted me for 3 - 4 hours , seemed a long time , so thought i would ask you good people so i would have some idea of what would be going on . Thanks Su x

[Hidden]

Wrote about my experience here blf.healthunlocked.com/blog... and had a great deal of help from supportive site users when in the same position as yourself in this blog blf.healthunlocked.com/blog... hope it is as useful as it was for me in understanding another stage of treatment.

[Easybreather]

I was at the hospital all afternoon when they did my Oxygen Assessment.

This is what happened to me: Arterial Blood test followed by 1 hour on oxygen at 1 l/m, Arterial Blood test following by 1 hour on oxygen at 2 l/m, Arterial Blood test following by oxygen at 3 l/m, final Arterial Blood test - that proved to be the level needed so was allowed to escape and have been on oxygen at 3 l/m ever since.

[derrylynne]

I had a walk test in the hospital. First without oxygen. That saw my sats plummet to the low 80's. Was then asked to do the walk test with 2 lpm oxygen. Sats still too low. So then walk tested at 4 lpm which put my sats around 93. So now on 4 lpm. I do go back to have gas tests - at the last one was informed that I will be put on oxygen while sleeping soon although not quite there yet. Whatever that means.

[Hergernt]

Can only think the 3 - 4 hours is worst case giving time for recovery between tests, mine was completed around an hour and a half with a half hour review to check up within six weeks of it being prescribed, this gave me a better exercise tolerance than before and would not give it up it works better than any inhalers.

[smokless]

I have been given two one by the oxygen team ,I was told it could take 2/3 hours it took 30min walk without oxygen Sats droped to 80 ,walk with oxygen that was lots better .I had it deliveyed next day by BOC great and put on 3lit .this gets checked every 6months and I am now on 4lit .Papworth Hospital also did the same test as part of my assesment for lung tranplant .it is only giving you what your body needs which is why we feel lots better with it but meds are a must aswell as our inhalers are maintinace drugs take care Jackie