Copd: I am new to the group. I have copd and my... - COPD Friends

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Copd

Ellenpez80 profile image
15 Replies

I am new to the group. I have copd and my oxygen level when at the best is 90 , but it's very hard for me to breathe. The dr has me on oxygen 24-7. Can anyone tell me why this happens. I do have lots more problems, but would like to try to solve this first. Thank you for any help I can get.

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Ellenpez80 profile image
Ellenpez80
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15 Replies
LORBIC profile image
LORBIC

Hi Ellenpez80, low oxygen and shortness of breath can also come from heart problems as well as COPD. Have you had a work up of your heart to rule it out?

I have COPD and Heart Failure and most days I have trouble breathing.

What inhalers are you on? Usually we take at least 2 daily and have another one as our rescue inhaler, like albuterol. Some people use a nebulizer also.

Reasons for your shortness of breath could be you are in a flare up, you are retaining fluids.

HCRWDR906 profile image
HCRWDR906 in reply to LORBIC

water retention makes it hard for me to breathe i take furosimide every other day i also watch salt intake

LORBIC profile image
LORBIC in reply to HCRWDR906

I used to take furmoseide (Lasix) every other day, but since they found I have Heart Failure I now have to weigh myself very morning and take Lasix twice a day, it has helped my breathing and keeping the swelling out of my feet and legs. You may want to ask your doctor if you should do this also.

HCRWDR906 profile image
HCRWDR906 in reply to LORBIC

no heart failure for me

Bonzai profile image
Bonzai in reply to LORBIC

Please tell me you are also taking potassium

LORBIC profile image
LORBIC in reply to Bonzai

Hi Bonzia, not sure if you were talking to me about potassium but yes doctor has me on prescription potassium, plus I try to get as much as I can from food.

Bonzai profile image
Bonzai in reply to HCRWDR906

Ditto! Salt/sodium is in everything! Read labels! When I was hospitalized - I lost over 50#s in water weight! Could not walk. Also get checked for sleep apnea - cpac looks funny but helps me tremendously....Respitory therapy is also helpful. You've taken 1st step, asking for help! God Bless!

Mustangman profile image
Mustangman in reply to LORBIC

Hi u sound like me even though I do most everything right I have my good and bad days , main thing carbon dioxide build up , purge lip breathing helps also talk to your dr about getting sleep apnea like equipment I use trilogy vent 200 and it's helped me at night when I got out of the hospital after three months because I was in a coma induced because of carbon dioxide for six week they had to vent me trachea was implanted in throat and now removed but I was awful , I went home with a vent type equipment now I have gone on with a mask a nasal mask at night I hook up o2 to it and it helps me breath at night and helps control the carbon they have others machines he can order but it will help u .

LORBIC profile image
LORBIC in reply to Mustangman

I have tried to used CPAC and Bipap and I can't use either one, so he has me on oxygen which has helped a lot. For some unknown reason I can't stand to have any around my head like the CPAP straps. I get a terrible head ache. Plus I have GERD and it just makes that worst. I am thinking about asking the doctor about a face mask, I think you have to have a prescription to purchase them.

Linda47715 profile image
Linda47715 in reply to LORBIC

I used a face mask when I had a cpac and a bipap. I am a mouth breather so I could not use the nose mask.

cschene profile image
cschene

When my stage 4 copd was first identified I was very sick with o2 saturation at 90% when resting and as low as 80% when active. I had to be on oxygen initially to keep my saturation about 90% ever.

My pulmonologist persribed inhalers incruse and breo once a day and nebulizer as needed.

But, probably the treatments that helped me most were those related to a pulmonary rehabilitation program. For that taught me about my disease and how to recognize (1) when an exacerbation is developing (2) how to see when I am I'm becoming congested an app to get rid of the congestion and bullet 3 how to raise an oxygen level when required

Bonzai profile image
Bonzai in reply to cschene

YES now if only I can get off of crutches, so I can use machines again!

pettymary14 profile image
pettymary14

Can you turn the level of your oxygen higher on your concentrator? As time goes on our condition becomes more difficult to manage. I am on oxygen 3-4 liters 24/7 but do not get short of breath unless exerting myself. Talk to your pulmonologist. See what he can do to make you more comfortable.

Bugabuga profile image
Bugabuga

I have the same thing 02 level 90s but still sob

Mustangman profile image
Mustangman

Well u have damaged your lungs and they are damaged beyond repair and do not get better , they get worst now u better listen , quit smoking if u still do .this disease is nothing to mess with its progressive meaning it get worst u have to slow it down with life style changes 90 level isn't that good but u can live and when you-exert it gets worst I have the same problem watch out for signs that your getting sick , more mucus coughs , fever , feeling tired , things like this if so get to the dr. Nothing more but take your meds nebulizer swirl the best with steroids they open u airways up and u will see oxygen go up to 95 even higher but u can only do them twice a day so they also have a fast acting Albuterol sulfate that works I wish u the best u can read my post and see what happen to me u don't want to go there believe me ,

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