Understanding COPD

[Dan3]

I don't understand they say I'm stage 4 COPD but I always have 90% or better ALL the time. To me the 2 should go together. All I know is when I walk 20 ft I'm out of breath and wheezing like crazy and POUNDING headache

[stone-UK]

Hi

When you say 90% do you mean oxygen levels.

I’am stage four levels at rest about 93%, walking without oxygen desaturation to 83% with oxygen maintain 90/92%

Walking similar to yours without the headache, little in the way of wheezing

Have you had any oxygen assessments?

[Help_61]

I’m stage 3 not on oxygen unless very breathless stats 92-93 resting can go as low as 84 when getting around everyone is different no headaches no wheezing just breathless rest for a few minutes and oxygen goes back up

[PollyP in reply to Help_61]

Have you had an oxygen assessment? To protect our major organs we really need to keep our 02 sats between 88-92. Sats of 84 are really too low 😊

PollyP

[Help_61 in reply to PollyP]

Yes I’ve had assessment done I was told to only use it on exsertion at 2 lt I try not to rely on it too much but if I have a bad week I’ll use it every day

[PollyP in reply to Help_61]

I use Ambulatory Oxygen 2 L when on the move.

Not sure I understand why you ‘try not to rely on it ‘. Am not sure your need for oxygen supplementation works like that. Assume you have Type 1 Respiratory Failure?

Have you tried using it more to keep your levels up to protect your major organs ?

Mine is helpful to exercise more!

Have a good day.

PollyP

[Help_61 in reply to PollyP]

For some reason it doesn’t seem to help me much I seem to be able to excersise the same with it or not I’ve just had a lung cleanse where they took out 1 full cup of thick phlegm

[PollyP in reply to Help_61]

Goodness me that is a good amount out of your lungs!!! That must feel better !

I can only say that using 02 when exercising really helps to protect the major organs and the exercise will help the breathing and help the body function in a much healthier way !

Toodle pip.

PollyP

[Help_61 in reply to PollyP]

Yes I was able to breath a lot better I’ve always had trouble with phlegm not being able to bring it up they have sent me back to do more exercise classes plus 3 months on antibiotics

[PollyP in reply to Help_61]

Fab! Hope you go from strength to strength 😊

[O2Trees in reply to PollyP]

Hi Help - what PollyP is telling you is that oxygen is not normally given for breathlessness. So it is not given to help you exercise. It is given to protect your major organs as Polly says. Breathlessness is addressed through medication, and through improving your functioning through pulmonary rehab, so great you're going to exercises classes. Hope the ABs help sort you out but if the breathlessness persists, do ask for a medication review. There are many different inhalers and finding the right one(s) for you is the key thing.

[PollyP in reply to O2Trees]

So well put 02Teees. Thank you

[Burbagegran in reply to Help_61]

Hello Help_61,

Im sorry to show my ignorance, I've never heard of a lung cleanse and wondered what it involves. I have COPD and bronchiectas. Good luck to you.

[Help_61 in reply to Burbagegran]

I was supposed to have valves inserted but when they had a look I could not get it done as my lungs were filled with phlegm so the doctors said she gave me a lung cleanse which I believe is sucking all the mucus out while your under anistetic

[Burbagegran in reply to Help_61]

Thanks for that, it's surprising what they can do.

[PollyP]

Hi there, are you doing any PR exercises ? They might help your wheeze ?

I assume you have had an oxygen assessment?

Wheeze and good 02 levels don’t really go together, but pounding headache and low oxygen levels often do go together.

Regards,

PollyP

[casey16gatsby]

I also don't know what a lung cleanse is? Can someone please explain.

Thanks!

[PollyP in reply to casey16gatsby]

They wash the lungs out via broncoscopy. I had one in 2006 during serious double pneumonia.😊

[lKeith]

Dan3

Hi, I know the feeling but only after about 5 yards. Keep up the exercising.

IKeith