Blood Oxygen level drops drastically when exerting
Why does my blood oxygen level drop from a 95 to below 70 when I start to move around from a sitting position and feeling good. I move from a sitting position to walking, making my bed, ((any movement) and it drops drastically and I start panting and try to catch my breath. I turn my oxygen gauge up to 5-6 but I still have this problem. Once I sit my level goes back to the 90's within 2-3 min. So frustrating.
Darcy Try to make sure you are breathing through your nose,I tend to mouth breath when exerting myself.
Hi Darcy, and thanks for your post and question - it's a good one! Although I am not a physician or a diagnostician, I can answer your concern in a general way. For more specifics as to why this happens in your particular case and, for your level of disease, I would suggest you discuss this with your private physician.
Generally speaking, COPD can affect oxygenation levels based on the poorly matched ventilation/perfusion units within the lung. This can be characteristic of the disease itself. At rest, one's oxygenation level may be normal/acceptable for the patient to be relatively comfortable. In some cases, with the slightest degree of physical exertion, these ventilation/perfusion match-ups are unable to handle the load. Consequently the oxygen level may drop and the patient may feel a level of discomfort and difficulty breathing.
I understand just how frustrating this can be for you. I thought you might gain some additional insight from this article which addresses this topic too: https://copd.net/search?s=oxygen%20saturation%20and%20breathlessness.
Again, you may want to take this concern up with your physician. The doctor will be able to focus his answer (for you), based on your specific case.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Thanks for your info
You are very welcome, Darcy! I am happy to be of assistance anytime!!
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Darcy,
I am a fellow sufferer. Just moving, drops my oxygen level to an uncomfortable level. Just stopping any movement will level me out. My anxiety level is horrible. I am concerned about your increasing your oxygen intake level - have you discussed this with your pulmonologist? I am stage 4 but my pulmonary care have always said not to change O2 level from 2. I was just in hospital and treated for “acute hypercapric respiratory failure”. Would appreciate any information on this. I have never increased my 02 level.
I understand your frustration, and hope that you continue to try finding answers and sharing that can help all of us.
FroggerMy pulmonologist told me to increase then to decrease when comfortable. My Dr. had me on level 2 at night then increased me to level 4. Had an overnight oximeter on my finger and my oxygen level was all over the place. I ware an OXY Mask at night and find it to be much better then the cannula. You can breath either through your nose or mouth. It also helps to heal your nose from the cannula. My level at night is mid to upper 90's. Seeing my Dr. on the 7th of September for evaluation. Hope your feeling better. God Bless I appreciate your response. I used the face mask at nite while in the hospital. I decided then to ask about it at home, also a mouth breather with a sore nose! Hope your Dr. has some answers.
Frogger
Yes, canuk2, I do tend to breath through my mouth. Actually sometimes I even catch myself holding my breath. Weird.
