ABG (Blood gas test) yesterday.

[Johnem]

Hi all.

Following a CT Scan on lungs and heart, my doctor informed me that it showed that I have the usual COPD scarring on my lower lungs plus the onset of heart failure, this despite two blood tests for heart showing clear. This didn't really surprise me due to the recently acquired painful swelling of left foot and lower leg plus the serious shortness of breath caused by severe COPD, chronic dyspnoea and now heart failure kicking in.

Anyway, yesterday, my latest six minute walk test was kicked into touch and a blood gas test (ABG) carried out... with a struggle, as three stabs in the warmed up ear lobe produced no blood to speak of, followed by four in the left wrist and three in the right wrist all yielding nothing, nada, zilch, diddly squat...then...one last try in the same ear as before and with a lot of kneading, squeezing and tweaking, enough was finally extracted for the resulting information to put me on 15 hrs of oxygen, some for during sleeping, plus some during the day, and a portable oxygen concentrator for ambulatory purposes, with the oxygen engineer coming to me today... not yet happened. I also have an ultrasound scan booked early April which will give a lot more information.

I'm hoping that this will help to slow further heart damage and improve my s o b sufficiently to help me to walk a bit more distance without the usual feeling like I want to pack it in after 50 yards, but I keep resting, then struggling on again

Hoping you are all as well as is possible and in good spirits.

John.

[sassy59]

I hope you get your oxygen delivery John and things improve for you.

Pete also has COPD and now has coronary artery disease. Waiting to hear what happens next.

Life can be a struggle and sob is hard to deal with. I wish you all the best. Xxxxxx

[Johnem in reply to sassy59]

Hi Sassy, thanks, oxygen has now been sorted, they apparently work 24/7.

Sorry to hear about Pete, please give him my very best wishes.

John xx

[sassy59 in reply to Johnem]

Thanks John, I will. Take care xxxx

[Hidden]

I had an abg test back in December at a and e when I went there with breathing difficulties and also a ct scan where I was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and got given anticoagulants and I am doing really well now. The abg test hurt as it was taken from a wrist artery rather than a vein.

[Johnem]

Glad you are doing well, that's good news.

Yes it isn't pleasant from the wrist, but it has to be arterial blood and can't be used blood from a vein. I think my nurse specialist was sweating more than me by the time she had tried 7 from both wrists and had had no luck with several tries from my ear lobe, which is less painful. She kept apologising and I felt sorry for her as it wasn't her fault, but she got enough in the end.

[Jenlet]

Good luck with the O2 delivery and time allows for an improvement.

DAN

[Johnem in reply to Jenlet]

Thanks for that. Tried out the concentrator today and it's clear that I just need to get used to it. Walking (hobbling along) wasn't so torturous, but it actually took me a bit longer as it's a bit of a learning curve for an old duffer like me.

[Patk1]

Hope it helps you.what is yr 02 level like normally,if u dont mind me asking xxx

[Johnem in reply to Patk1]

Hi, my current O2 drops to around 82 during 2 or 3 minutes of movement without oxygen, can't last any longer than that, so can't say what it would be if any longer. Sitting quietly without oxygen will keep at approx 90 for a good while.