Hi if O2 doesn't help to stop breathl... - Lung Conditions C...
Hi if O2 doesn't help to stop breathlessness then why have ambulatory oxy to help get around. Bengunn.
I was told the reason i have to use it is because the oxygen levels drop low which causes harm to internal organs , it is not always to make you breathe better .
Hi
Oxygen is given to maintain you sats at a level so as not to cause harm.
Below 88% at rest is a cause for concern! similar when excercising levels below 91/92% are also cause for concern.with regards to breathlessness it will give you better controll, than you would have without oxygen.
Its no miracle cure but I can certainly do more of anything when on oxygen. On my 6 minute walk tests my sats can be maintained at 86 with oxygen of 6 liters.
Without oxygen my sats drop to 69 and my calf muscles tie up.
That's evidence enough for me to say its worth using oxygen.
As everyone is saying O2 is given for maintainance reasons to people who have low sats (under 88). Those people will almost certainly have problems with breathlessness, as I do, and the O2 may help relieve it a little because their breathlessness is caused in some part by the lack of oxygen in the blood. Some people will need oxygen at night only, some only when moving around (ambulatory) and some will need it at all times.
However many others with COPD will have breathlessness but not have low sats. It is these people who might be told they can't have oxygen as it won't help their breathlessness and so they don't need it. Giving oxygen to a fully oxygenated person could be dangerous.
Thanks happy feet ,reassured.bengunn.
Hi Bengunn
Your oxygen saturation and breathlessness are not always directly linked. I have sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension. I am on O2 24 hours at 8 litres a minute to maintain my saturation above 88% even when I am not active. Without O2 my sats would fall to the low 70s even while sitting. I increase my O2 up to 15 lpm when moving to try to maintain my sats however this will not stop me getting breathless. Breathlessness will also cause a fall in sats, in my case to as low as high 50s without O2 which is really dangerous.Hope this makes some sense.
Hi morrid thanks for info,am on15 hrs at 4lpm and ambulatory 4lpm.Just went to kitchen for cuppa without 02 about 10 yards came back and my sats were down to77,was 97 at rest with o2 on.i think i had better have a review with oxy nurse at the end of jan.Dont know what sarcoidosis is about but good luck with it.reguards Bengunn.
To help supply the body with the necessary levels of oxygen
