Blood Oxygen Levels
When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 COPD 4 years ago, they put me on 3 liters of oxygen and told me my blood oxygen should read between 88 and 92. Since that time I have lost 70 pounds and have exercised an hour 5-6 days a week. My blood oxygen is now between 95 and 98. During my most recent trip to my pulmonologist she said that was too high, that it should be 88 to 92 and told me to take my concentrator down to 2 liters. I did that and immediately slept off and on all day and my muscles were fatigued. This was the result in just one day. So, I turned the concentrator up by .5 and am now at 2.5 liters. My blood oxygen is now between 94 and 97. Probably still too high. I’ll turn my concentrator to 2.25 and see how that works. I know that too high a reading can be harmful but honestly I can’t live with the muscle fatigue and drowsiness. Anyone else have this problem?
First, Congratulations on the weight loss and the exercising you have been doing! That is amazing. As for muscle fatigue is pretty normal for me if my O2 saturation drops under 94%. As for the drowsiness, I have other medical issues that do that for me LOL Strange enough we are all different but my doctors state to me if my O2 goes below 90% I am to head to the Emergency Room immediately! It could be your doctor is watching out for another medical issue you might have also? What about contacting your prescribing doctor and let them know how the lower O2 supplement makes you feel and see what they say? If all else fails and you don't agree with the doctor, then there is always obtaining a 2nd professional opinion. Sorry I could not be much more help then that. Best to you!
Thank you for the response! We are all different but it’s comforting to know that even though we are different we can still learn from each other. I did talk to my pulmonologist and she said that maybe 2 liters was a little too low for me and to try 2 1/4 so I am doing that. If all else fails I’ll stay at 2.5 liters. She explained that people with COPD have trouble breathing out and if you take in more oxygen then you can expel CO2 can build up in your body and that presents other issues. We’re kinda darned if we do darned if we don’t. LOL Hoping the 2 1/4 will be good. Again, thank you for responding! Yes it is comforting in knowing we are a community that understands one another and even can sometimes lend an ear or experience. Very happy you were able to get a hold of your pulmonologist, hopefully you will start feeling better and get back in to your routine once again! True, darned if you do and darned if you don't LOL
