Correct diagnosis
My oxygen levels are currently at 96-98% but I’ve been diagnosed with stage 4 COPD and it doesn’t seem to make sense???
Hi.
Good question! Even in advanced stages, oxygen levels can stay in the normal range. Our bodies have an innate ability to keep oxygen levels stable, even when we feel short of breath. This is why oxygen saturation alone doesn't tell the full story with COPD. Just to give you an idea what happens, you may want to check out this post (https://asthma.net/clinical/oxygen-levels) from our sister site. While it's written for the asthma community, a similar process happens in COPD lungs to keep oxygen levels normal. Does this help? John. community moderator. Maybe a moderator can help, but I think this is why the "stage" terminology is used less nowadays. I believe I was technically stage 4 when I was diagnosed, and I was still playing ice hockey every week (for years after too).
Stages, and the numbers that go along with them, do tell a story but it's not everything. Two people in the same stage, or even with the same degree of lung function, might feel totally different. More or less fatigue, shortness of breath, pain etc. This is why we remind people that no one can predict exactly how our lives will unfold, and why it's so important to keep taking good care of yourself. How cool that you continued to play hockey! Thanks for sharing that -- we staff can give examples of people making the most of life with COPD, but I believe those stories are so much more meaningful when they come directly from our members. -Melissa, team member
