low oxygen level

[Gram810]

Just been diagnosed with low oxygen level and put on oxygen at home at night. Can this be reversed? This does not mean I will be on oxygen for the rest of my life does it? I'm getting some kind of read-out after two nights on oxygen and go back to the doctor later this week.

[msrosita]

  I just started using portable oxygen  and my oxygen is 79 so use at night , just checking if it is alright to have a few glasses of wine early , before bedtime ,  and I plan on getting rechecked later down the line , hopefully will not need to use the rest of my life , I am 81 years  young ,

[Sleeplesslulu]

I saw your responses and wanted to ask a question.  I recently had the oximetry test at night and the Dr told me my oxygen drops to 52% during the night. He recommended the sleep study to see what's causing it, but my insuranced denied the test. I don't know if they will pay for the oxygen without the test.  I would think 52 is pretty low!

Sleeplesslulu

[Vick273]

Very. I think you may want to find a new physician,

[Julezee]

Hi, I googled a question about O2 use, etc...and found your posting. So I joined the group. I'm curious if you are still using oxygen treatment? What was the cause of your problem? I have an auto-immune disease that has damaged my lungs, and I guess the damage was enough that my SATS are usually like 84 on room air. I'm hoping to find any way possible to heal my lungs or stretch them.

[Jerry_NJ]

Responding to someone about an old post is not an effective way to communicate with them, but that may not be your goal.  If you have something to share on O2 or anything else that fits, better to start a new thread.

I checked, easy to do, the last time "alchacarrie" made a post here was June 10, 2010.

As for your case, I didn't read/understand what the problem is:  emphysema or COPD?  A Pulmonary Specialist should look at your situation, I believe.

I own a Oximeter, and it set me on a path with my primary care and then a pulmonary specialist.. I have mild obstructive sleep apnea, ie., not much trouble during the day - most ofthe time I find readings at 95% or better.  Overnight testing did record some readings in the upper 80% and that qualifies for supplementary oxygen coverage under Medicare (yes, I'm over 65, my point Medicare considers my readings sufficiently bad to pay for supplementary oxygen - I do not use it).  I am working on losing weight to avoid using a CPAP breathing mask at night.  10 pounds off my body (neck/belly) has already produced improvements.  I no longer wake up feeling like I am suffocating.

[chrisyd01]

you seem to be quite knowledgeable.i have been searching the internet time and time again with know results.and my dr never has a response of course hes the one that let me go on for months complaining that i cant breath or make it in and out of the store with just short of keeling over begged him to put me on o2 during the day (was on it at night for sat levels in the 70's.) he said no my levels were fine ya after at rest sitting in the waiting room for an hour.i even explained to him at a differnt dr appt my sat was81 and it felt like my eyes were rolling behind my head.he ever had access to those records and just brushed it off said it must have been an error i cant believe that other dr let me walk out of there.finally i threatened to go to the ER and so he put me on a pulse3 ox and within a min of walking it plumited to 81 percent again and 84 with oxygen he called 911 was admitted for resiratory failure/copd.my biggest concern now is im still just as short of breath with 2l of oxygen and my still just brushes me off and i just got my own pulse ox and it still goes down to the low 80's even high seventies.how worried should i be????

[umerk383]

I'm experiencing shortness of breath since three weeks. I checked it out with my ENT first since I have sinus problems. The ENT referred me to a pulmonary disease  specialist. I went through the ventilator tests today and it turned out that I'm low on oxygen, though my lungs capacity is around 7L. I had my chest Xray done today and I still have to do few blood tests to check out if I have anemia. They sent me home and asked me to come back the next week until they receive all the results.Shall I wait for one week without treatment?

[glo75]

did you get my post yesterday .  its been so long I'm wondering if you are still active.   I am brand new!   2 days -  so have no idea what I am doing. thanks for any help

[glo75]

just read your blog and I thank you.  just found out a few days ago that I need oxygen.  just slept last nite with the finger thing.  this all happened so fast.  and the more I read --- anyway glad for the information. going to look for your heart failure solutions blog.  its been a few years but maybe I'll be lucky.  ***@****

[hava]

This will make the lungs more efficient, and you will see the result,when you check your oxygen level.
Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose. Place your fists, with the thumb pointing up, on the the legs, above the the knee, and do bhastrika for two minutes.Repeat this  a) with the fists upside down, so that the thumb is pointing down, and resting on the legs, b) with the thumb pointing inwards  c) with the thumb pointing outwards. This will help very much as the lungs open up in different ways.
Repeat this 3 to 8 times during the day.
May 15 ,2012

[JackHester]

The VA say's 88% is always okay.  Of course way higher is far better.

I have found out that putting on the oxygen when my saturation is low and exercising (treadmill or exercise bike) my at rest and general saturation increases - a lot when you don't have a cold, flu or pneumonia as I do now - only a little if you do.  I'd like to belong to that heart and lung forum - how do I get there?  I have CHF and chronic afib and asthma or copd too. (and I smoked only 3 of my 74 years)

I'm walking on the treadmill for at least 1/2 mile in just a moment.

Thanks   John Hansen  ***@****

[alohacarrie]

That depends on what is causing your low oxygen level.  I am in the process of writing a blog post on low oxygen levels.  It should be posted to the free online community, Heart Failure Solutions, by tomorrow.  Your best bet is to educated yourself in how to build the health of your heart and lungs.  That is what our online community is all about!  Come join us!

I would also strongly advise that you ask to have your oxygen level checked while you are walking and doing normal daily activities as well.  If you have an oxygen deficit, it may be present when you increased demand on the heart, as well as when you are sleeping.  ANYTIME your oxygen saturation falls below 92% it is HARMFUL, and will weaken your heart muscle.

I see a doctor here on medhelp has advised someone that low oxygen levels are 88% and lower.  It makes me sad to hear a doctor say this.  Certainly your insurance company will not pay for oxygen unless your oxygen saturation is below 88%, BUT it is harmful and will rob your eye sight, short term memory and weaken your heart muscle if your oxygen saturation is below 92%.   PERIOD, it is a matter of science.

Many blessings to you,
Carrie