I have a question that I have tried to get an answer for to no avail. I have severe/very severe copd (fev1 29%). I have been on 02 24/7 for 4 years and have kept my copd steady. I have flown many times with portable concentrators. Just took a trip and my sats dropped down to mid 70's - mid 80's when at above 30,000 ft! Very scary!
Since that flight I have been extremely tired and have upped my 02 to 3 LPM constant (was at 2lpm). I wonder if I have injured my lungs further. Hav doc appointment end of month. Anyone experience this??? I am still walking but really get breathless quickly now.
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Mooskie
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Hi -- I shouldn't think it's because your sats dropped on the plane - mine drop that low too as the plane goes higher despite turning 02 up - and I think it must do for many of us. POC's don't perform so well as the altitudes get higher by the way - regardless of which brand you have. If you are suffering exhaustion beyond what you're used to then have a word with your nurse/GP. Are you sure it's not 'end of winter' fatigue? Many of us are at our physical low point at this time of year. Hope you feel better soon.
Wow...I hope it is just winter doldrums but don't think so. I have flown many times and never had such a drop in sats. I too wonder if the concentrator was the problem but they (O2 company) say no! I am going to see lung doc on the 25th. Thanks for your response.
I just asked my Dr this question last week. I flew to Connecticut in December. I use oxygen at 2 with pulse. I checked my oxygen at 30,000 feet it was 73. I was nervous! He said I should have been on "4 with continuous flow" for the flight!! Hope this helps!!
Yes, I tried every setting on my concentrator. Unfortunately most portable. Concentrators do not operate above 2 LPM continuous. i pushed mine up to 6 LPM pulse but no help?? Did you feel any after effects from being at 75%. How long were you low like that. I have been just exhausted since and it's over 2 weeks.
Saw my pulmonary doc yesterday and had full check up with all tests and no change to my lungs...yea!! He believes I went through a type of exacerbation ver last month, caused by the lack of oxygen on the flight. He think the concentrator was at fault!!
I felt very light headed and weak. I have since had bronchitis which put be in the hospital for two days. Since then I have not felt good. I feel like I have no energy at all .
By the way I have a simply go machine. It's nice but very expensive.
I also used a Simply Go on this last trip!!! Hmmmm...beginning to question the concentrator. It only goes to 2 LPM on continuous but 6 LPM on pulse. Neither setting worked for me. I hope you feel better soon. I feel a bit better each day but a long way from normal.
I am trying the pulse tomorrow--do you think I will like it?? I am on 2 at rest--3 if up and 5 at night--but I jump thru theses numbers as I need them--some days don't you think air is heavier and you need more 02???Im going to look at my fev1 and see what that is---My cataract is killing me--out the 26th===MmeT
i don't know how you will react to "pulse". with me it doesn't work because i am a very shallow breather. yes, the weather really has an effect on my breathing!
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