Oxygen levels when exercising

[Jomo46]

When I sit my o2 levels are 92-98 average 95. If I start to walk around ,get dressed, tidy kitchen etc it goes down very quickly to 78. I have just done a walk test and by walking very very slowly kept it above 90. They recommended pulmonary rehab ( had it 2 years ago) which I have just done 2 sessions. My gp and the walk test nurse seem to get twitchy if it drops below 90. I have bought an o2 finger monitor . In pulmonary rehab they don’t seem worried at all about a reading of 78 as long as I can still speak when exercising. I understand organs get damaged if the o2 goes below 88. I asked them how long I can exercise on levels below 88 and they don’t seem to know.

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice about this

Thanks jo

[stone-UK]

Hi

Prior to my pulmonary rehabilitation, I did a oxygen walk test. Because my desaturation was 83% I was given Ambulitory oxygen therapy 2lpm.

On my annual oxygen assessment I maintain a oxygen desaturation of 90/92 during the six minute walk test, which is the excepted level.

Home oximeters are not good for doing snapshots which is what is needed for a true oxygen assessment.

You seem to be monitored during pulmonary rehabilitation, and they are correct to be cautious if you sats drop below 90%.

To satisfy your concerns could you ask for a walking test assessment.

[Jomo46 in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks but I had a walk test in October and then mid November as part of pulmonary rehab assessment. It went down to 85 at the last minute of the six minutes. They don’t seem bothered though at the o2 figure when doing the exercises, they seem to be saying it’s ok for it to go down to 78 while doing eg up a step down a step. For 3-4 minutes. If it strengthens the muscles and helps my body, fine, but I don’t want to damage organs through lack of oxygen. I’m going to as the pulmonary nurses about it.

[Hidden]

Hi Jomo, my Sat's also drop when I'm exercising, as soon as I stand up. I've been to pulmonary rehab and currently I am going to a follow up class once a week. I have oxygen 24/7. I'm told that as long as my SATS are between 88 and 92 for at least 15 hours per day if they drop at other times it's OK. There is scientific proof that your other organs benefit from 15 hours, but no extra benefits from longer, apparently. No one is bothered when my Sats drop during exercise, it's like a person with normal lungs climbing a mountain, so OK for short periods. I don't know which study this came from, but I'm sure if you Google, benefits of long term oxygen therapy something we come up.

Keep up with pulmonary rehab it really is a great program.

[Jomo46 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mandy it’s good to hear some figures

[skischool]

Jomo.i would discuss this with the physiotherapists at your PR course,if your sats consistently fall below the accepted 88-92% for us dodgy lung club members on exertion then it is probably time as others have stated for a re assessment of your oxygen needs.it could well be that you would benefit from supplementary O2 on exertion.

No amount of exercising below that range is going to benefit and build muscles that are being starved of oxygen and probably more harm than good is done.

I accept there is confusion here as we are constantly told to exercise until slightly breathless or we are not gaining anything,but for those like ourselves who desaturate rapidly i am not so sure that 'mantra' is applicable?

best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x

[Jomo46]

Thanks ski school - you always give good advice

[skischool in reply to Jomo46]

Jomo.it come from first hand experience,i am in the same desaturation boat which at the present time is managed with supplementary oxygen.please keep us updated on how you progress with the PR course and if you do eventually get diagnosed as requiring O2 for exercise.

[Jomo46]

Thanks - will do