Sudden Change in Oxygen and shortness of breath
I've been diagnosed with COPD and emphysema for about 4 years. I've had several flares a year, mostly oxygen levels and infection causing hospitalization. Had a check-up a few months ago and all seemed well. Had another appointment a couple of weeks ago because I had started using 1 (I'm not sure of the word. Ltr. Unit, etc.) when doing housework, walking, etc. I took the breathing function test and it showed a decrease from 4 to 3. I'm home taking my third course of steroids and second does of antibiotics in two weeks. My breathing has gotten worse (approx. 3 units now) and I'm using the oxygen almost all day and definitely all night. Has anyone else had such a sudden drop that could shed some light on what might be causing it? I'm a reformed smoker and have always been active, but have slowly lost the ability to do high energy tasks and now almost none. I go back to the doctor on February 16 and am terrified of what he's going to tell me. Truth be known, I'm just terrified. I'm a first time poster.
Correction: reduced from 40 to 30.
Hi
. Welcome to the community! I'm glad you decided to post and I hope you get lots of feedback. I can see why that sudden drop would be scary. We are not medical experts, but many in this community have experienced a drop in oxygen levels when they are sick, and it can take far longer to recover from lung-related illnesses when you have COPD. So your breathing might improve with time. If not, you might want to ask your doctor about pulmonary rehab. A good therapist can help you strengthen the muscles used in breathing and make your heart and lungs more effecient. That can help improve breathing and oxygen levels. I hope this next round of antibiotics does the trick and that you are soon feeling much better. Keep us posted, if you don't mind. I'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
