Can someone tell me why

[Debncarl]

I am just fine my o2 stays up till I get up and just walk in my kitchen then I can't breathe why is that and when I get to where I can't breathe I can sit down and after a bit I can breathe again

[Bkin]

blood oxygen saturation and being short of breath are 2 different things.

best speak with your respiratory nurse or specialist if you are already on oxygen.

Shortness of breath comes with COPD and other illnesses, I have been diagnosed over 12 years, I am short of breath on any exertion but not when I am sitting still. My blood oxygen levels are good. I do not require oxygen.

perhaps to understand this better ask your doctor to refer you to a pulmonary rehabilitation course you may want to read a few links from page link below also:

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Debncarl in reply to Bkin]

I went to the Dr this morning told him what was going on this happen about a month or more ago I had to go to er he gave me a new inhaler and said something when I walk was going down on my oxygen that's what is making this happen but I can't remember what he said was going down

[Bkin in reply to Debncarl]

pity you couldn't remember what your doctor said. I would make another appointment and ask for a referral to be tested for blood oxygen saturation on activity.

Of course if you are already prescribed oxygen then you need to use at those times when your oxygen levels drop.

Perhaps ask your doctor or respiratory nurse if you should be recording your oxygen levels before during and after activity. You could invest in a pulse oximeter and then ask your nurse the best way to use it in your situation.

[Debncarl]

Yes I am on oxygen I do use it I sleep in my bedroom with no heat and my cell fan on or I can't breathe my Dr told me the heat will make me have trouble breathing that it's good I am doing what I am

[judg69]

Suggest you make an appt w your Pulmonologist ASAP, and in the meantime, start using oxygen when you are up doing anything. It is common for exertion to increase oxygen use/requirements. Judg69

[Debncarl]

I going through that right now I am oxygen and when I do think my oxygen goes down I went to the Dr he said something and can't remember what it was drops in your oxygen when u r up moving around he started me on ipratroplum bromide I have to add it with my other breathing treatment and one treatment I can tell the difference alot shakes but I can't breathe so much better could not walk to my kitchen without standing and holding on to the bar

[shadow4me]

everyones will drop some when walking ect has long has it recovers when at rest have you anxiety has well has this happens to me when anxious but it is always better to ask the doctor x

[Sjf129903 in reply to shadow4me]

Problem for6me is to get to where i cab sit stresses me out a bit

[Smikra in reply to Sjf129903]

I use a rollator walker, partly for my back but mostly so I can sit when I need to.

[Sjf129903 in reply to Smikra]

I have one too for my back originally but my apartment is so small it can be a struggle I don't know what to do anymore I guess as long as I'm still breathing my oxygen does go low but i sit a couple minutes and it gets back to 96 or 98

[Smikra in reply to Sjf129903]

Before I used the rollator I had chairs every ten feet. I'm now on oxygen and its so much better. I use oxygen for all activity,except cooking and for sleeping but my case may be different. My lung problems caused global right ventricle systolic dysfunction. My cardiologist found it and sent me to a pulmonary specialist.

[Gerald999]

Hi Debncarl. I am not on Oxygen. But for a number of years I would wake up get out of bed head to the toilet and ...I was breathless. Got my breath back after staying still as we all do. I no longer wake up and have the same experience. This is what I have done to eliminate that morning experience.

1 Diet. Good Food 75% fruit & vegies

2 I have my evening preventer as late in the night as possible.(i.e. 8-10 sometimes 11 pm)

3. Before I get up in the morning I go through a breathing ritual as follows. Breath in for the count of 3 hold for the count of 5 to 7 and breath out for the count of 8 to 10. (10-12 breaths)This makes sure my blood is full of oxygen

4 SLOWLY (very gently)get out of bed.

5. If I am staying up I have my Preventers immediately.

6 Have a glass of warm water(and gulp it down)

7 I totally clear my lungs of mucus. (well I get as much mucus out as possible)(numerous ways to do this)

That "almost" ensures (a) my Bronchial tubes are wide open AND (b) No mucus , or very little mucus is blocking my tubes.

[Sjf129903 in reply to Gerald999]

I'm on o2 24/7 i use my nebulizer about a hour before bed which gives me a sounder sleep I'm ending stage less than 30% lung capacity i to like a room temp bottle of water in am do the perch lip breathing all the time it's the only way I know how to breath anymore my Dr says there's noth left to do at this time i have almost no plyable lung tissue left but im still trying

[Sjf129903]

I'm having the same problem as you 10 feet wipes me6out and struggle to go sit6back down

[carolg1 in reply to Sjf129903]

Hi sift read Gerald’s reply he it is good advice it’s the mucus that’s blocking your airways by the sound of it I have the same then add anxiety and it’s so scary , good luck xx

[greatauntali]

I have the same problem. As someone said to me I am " fine to have my photograph taken " which pretty much sums it up.

As soon as I try to get up from the chair to do something, my levels drop dramatically - my lowest so far was 62% but more often than not the low 80's. Sometimes I get rooted to the spot and cannot move at all until my levels rise. This can be annoying as well as embarrassing especially in public. I have been known to be in that position in the pouring rain and just a few feet from the car but totally unable to get there. Sometimes I make it as far as opening the car door but cannot get into the car and even when I do get in, it takes quite some time before I am fit to move off. I am certain that passersby think I am crazy.

Getting into or out of bed is a nightmare especially when I only get a maximum of 4 hours at any one time and then am awake coughing and desperately trying to breathe. The world is a lonely place in the early hours.

[lizzyw]

I love your expression “fine to have my photo taken “. That’s exactly how it feels . I too have had occasions when I have frozen ,gasping for breath . Twice it was so bad I panicked and lost control of my bladder ! Thank goodness for Tena 😊

[sarcoid1234]

I have been prescribed oxygen most of the time - 2 litres a minute when sitting down or I am OK with no oxygen when sitting. I use 2 litres a minute when sleeping. BUT when I get up to walk around I have been told by my oxygen consultant that I should use 4 litres a minute. The level of oxygen we use should be assessed and prescribed by an oxygen health professional. With COPD if you use more oxygen than prescribed that it not good for the body (I think carbon dioxide retention?) and can lead to headaches. I have been told that when we walk we use muscles in the legs and muscles need more oxygen to function. This is why doctors can refer us to pulmonary rehabilitation classes which usually last one day for six weeks and teach exercises to strengthen our muscles so that hopefully they do not need so much oxygen. The gentle exercises should of course be continued at home.

[Sjf129903 in reply to sarcoid1234]

I'm at 2 liters sitting but moving around and sleeping its at 3

[jjnanna]

I have the same problem ... they are completely at a loss as to why my O2 levels drop so much when I walk or exert myself ... I go to Pulmonary exercise classes and they are brill .... or were until I broke my wrist Xmas eve ! anyway ... they walk along side me with a small tank so that the levels stay at a decent number .... I am now on Oxygen 15/24 and I presume it will help as it did last time I was on it for 6 months ....time will tell.

[Gerald999]

COPD is an obstructive lung disorder, which means it affects lung expiration instead of inspiration. With COPD, you have little to no problem breathing in (which is why blood O2 levels are normal), but the problem comes with attempting to breathe out. Since air is harder to breathe out, CO2 levels increase and so your body has to work harder to try and remove all the excess CO2 that is becoming trapped due to decreased expiration capability.

[carolg1 in reply to Gerald999]

Hi Gerald your answer s are really in the spot with me how best do you try n breath out the co any tips , because I can’t seem to dislodge a specific part of my lung same spot all the time thanks x

[carolg1 in reply to Gerald999]

Hi Gerald did you see my reply to you I’m a bit unsure xx