One lung blood-oxygen level

[m0bnd]

Thanks in advance for any replies.

My mum had a lung removed a few weeks ago now and is struggling a bit - to be expected - does anyone out there know what the ‘normal’ saturation level is for a person with only 1 lung? I understand a normal level would be 94% - 99%.

TIA.

Andy.

[Bkin]

It would be the same for 2 lungs Andy. Its the blood oxygen levels which are important, so the lung/s oxygenating the blood adequately which circulate around the body to all the organs etc 94 -99% is very good. Even 92% would be ok but monitor regularly and consult with doctor if below 94%. What did the hospital advise? I would check with your Mum's consultant the aftercare situation, what is expected first few months and thereafter. Rehabilitation etc.

I think it would be usual for her to be struggling a little bit if the lung removal was only a few weeks ago.

Check in with the nurses on the BLF helpline as well concerning the situation with your Mum.

Wishing your Mum and steady recovery.

[m0bnd in reply to Bkin]

Thanks for the reply, and the good wishes too.

Our local hospital said her sats were a bit low but not overly concerned as she only has one lung. The levels she had were 90-92% which I thought was low. They ran x-rays and blood tests and cannot find evidence of an infection but only inflammation. She has shallow respiration too, which I don’t think is helping. The hospital that did the operation (Southampton) is insisting she goes back on Tuesday as they have a duty of care to her, we’re not sure about her fitness to make the 1.5 hour car drive at the moment. We will, of course ask about her recovery period and what to expect and do.

Thanks again.

Andy.

[Bkin in reply to m0bnd]

Yes that blood oxygen is a bit low as they have said. Your Mum will need close monitoring in her recovery. I would try and make that appointment, its too close to Christmas to miss it and changes are you won't get another one till the new year when the weather is likely to be worse.

If its not already happened or not advised at your appointment ask about the community matron visiting your Mum at home weekly to check things are ok.

Safe journeys on tuesday, allow plenty of time for parking etc. Phone ahead to arrange for a wheel chair and assistance if required, (if you Mum can't walk too far) I'd do that Monday to be sure one is ready for you when you get there.

All the best

info on blood oxygen levels: goiheart.com/blog/blood-oxy...

PS take a brolly in case its chucking it down.

[Bkin in reply to Bkin]

Also if you are ever worried and not sure what to do out of hours don't hesitate to call the 111 service nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-se...

[m0bnd]

Wow thanks for this.

Dad is with her so not on her own. She has a doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon so I’ll ask about a community nurse for visits and checks. I’m also only a 10-15minute drive away. She’s really not looking forward to Tuesday but I’ll see what I can do to arrange a chair. I normally go in before them to get some assistance or a chair. An umbrella will be a good idea too.

Thanks once again.

Andy.

[Caspiana]

Hi Andy,

Bkin has given you some very good information, I just wanted to send good wishes to you and your mum. Take care. 😊

Cas xx 🎄

[m0bnd in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you Cas.

I’ll pass on the wishes.

Andy.

[2greys]

Just a small point, warm up the car first, breathing cold air with inflammation is not good.

[m0bnd in reply to 2greys]

Certainly, thanks for the tip 👍

Andy.

[Dedalus]

My 'normal' oxygen sats are 92, and have been for years (had lower lobe of left lung removed early 2009).

[m0bnd in reply to Dedalus]

Thanks for the reply. All info at the moment is very gratefully received.

Andy.

[Izb1]

Wish your mum all the best and hope Tuesdays appointment isnt too stressful for her, nice she has a caring son thats lives nearby. Irene x

[m0bnd in reply to Izb1]

Aww thank you Irene.

I told her this is pay back (for me to her) in the fact she did a lot for me when I was young and had doctors appointments for a lot of ear troubles and hospitalisation. So I’m just returning what, I think, we all would do for our families and loved ones anyway.

I’ll keep updated after today’s docs appointment.

Andy.

[Hwife1]

I had upper lobe on left lung removed 8 weeks ago for lung cancer diagnosis . My sats came up from 90% to stable 97% hope this helps. My hubby bought me a monitor & I check weekly. It’s stable

[m0bnd in reply to Hwife1]

Hi, checked her oxygen levels before docs today, so much better today at 96%. I’ve left my monitor with them to use, specially if she feels not too good.

Thanks for the reply and your experience.

Andy.

[Hwife1 in reply to m0bnd]

Good Luck & hope all goes well 🍀🍀

[m0bnd]

Ok update on mum.

Went to see her prior to Docs, she’s pepped up and a lot better (she says 100% compared to yesterday). She had a call from Southampton who was struggling to find an appointment time for tomorrow so it looks like, at the moment, no stressful trip this side of Christmas/New Year, mum’s happy with that! Her O2 levels are at 96% today too so much better and I’m happier.

Docs appointment - her BP is a bit low so still on Beta Blockers and no BP tablets for now. She now has a smaller dose of penicillin to take (she’s very small) compared to the elephant size dose they had originally prescribed. Her doc is also of the opinion that if she really feels like she can’t make the trip then she doesn’t have to, phone calls can be made and discussed without stressing mum out. All in all a much more positive day today.

Thank you all for the comments, they have all helped in one way or another.

Andy 🎄☘️