pulse oxymeter

[snow54flake]

when i was told i had copd june this year with onset of empsemema when the nurse did my pulse oxymeter the thing they put on your finger she asked me if i had been smoking as my reading was 59 i hadnt smoked in 6 months she said she would like to see it a bit higher i am on spirva 18 and a blue inhaler should i be worried thanks in advanced

[Toci]

Should you be worried? That depends on how adept the nurse is. If you are really managing with a reading of 59% I take my hat off to you! However, I know from experience that some nurses (and most physios!) do not know how to take the readings properly. Your reading should be around 88 or higher. If it is regularly reading less then you should be assessed for oxygen use.

[Mocarey]

I am amazed the nurse let you out of the surgery with saturations of 59. Or am I getting it wtong. I could see your pulse being 59 but if it was your sats thats shocking.

[Hidden]

I think you need to learn more, snow54flake. Once you have an understanding of your condition, you wiill cope with it.

Ok to surf the internet to a point, but better to phone the BLFnurse on Monday morning (click top right balloon for phone no.) There also be lots of advice, if you study the posts. Go back to your respiratory nurse. I think you must have seen the consultant already. annieseed x

[sadie1951]

Hi Snowflake, are you sure you've got this right, 59% - low to high 90's is considered good, mid 80's is not good. I think you may have misheard the nurse? Sadie

[sadie1951 in reply to sadie1951]

Hi again Snowflake, on thinking about this, I would say Mocarey's right, I jumped to the conclusion you were talking about your oxygen saturation, but that reading is probably your pulse reading. I was recently told by my copd nurse that a pulse reading of between 60 and 100 was normal. I was surprised there was such a wide margin but she said it depends on the individual as to what's "normal". So, the nurse saying to you she would like to see it a bit higher makes sense if she was talking about your pulse! Sadie

[twinks1954]

Hello Snow. Go back to Nurse/GP and get proper reading. Write down what they say. Ask them for spirometry test and get a print out............. then you will know your FEV1 reading. Let us know how you get on. Take care

[snow54flake]

thank you all very much for your replies yes twinks i have had a spirometry test through that test they told me i had copd with onset empysemema she even changed the batteries in the oxymeter i am hoping she read it up side down hi how about 95 that sounds good to be lol i have not even as much seen a gp never mind a consulant i work as a cleaner 30 hrs a week get through that with the pursed lip breathing very tired at the end of the day see the nurse again on the 9th Oct have a list of questions for her and hope to have my flu jab if not i have to make another appointment for the 19th Oct big thanks once again marian xx

[KingoftheCocktails]

Your nurse will put your information right

KOTC

Your daily tonic

[longlungs]

hi Snow54flake hopefully all will be reveled when you go back to nurse and the doc,coz blimey o'riley surely that cant be right? see you soon let us know eh,everybody is here for you.Janexx

[CornishBrian]

I bought a finger device to measure my sats and pulse because both can be erratic at times. If I sit down in my favourite, comfortable chair and take my readings and I feel that they are a bit out of range, I know that if I have 5 to 10 minutes "me" time, I can change things. Relaxing music, eyes closed, steady breathing using one of the recommended exercises and check again.....things always improve. Ten minutes well spent and me chilled out for the morning.

[Hidden]

We also bought oximeter to use at home - if my husband's reading is a bit low ( low 90's ) by sitting quietly for a few minutes and taking deep breaths he can usually get a better reading A reading of 59 is way to low snow54flake -really hope that was your pulse not your sats.

[Mummywummy]

I don't think you would be conscious with a sat level of 59. You would have been intubated long before this. Pulse maybe?

[snow54flake in reply to Mummywummy]

thank you so much you made me laugh so much i am having trouble typing this the nurse asked me if i had been smoking so i assumed it was my oxgen level it had to have been my pulse will find out more on the 9th oct, xx

[snow54flake]

hello there big sigh of relief 59 was my pulse fev1 98 lung capacity 58% sats 96 have mod copd am now taking seretide x2 and my spriva 18 and my blue inhaler also having referral for puliminory rehab, also going to see about cutting down my working day from 6 hours to 3 as i am getting so tired at the end of a working day as the cleaning is very physical, big thank you for all your kind replies keep well marian xxx