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Exercise causing oxygenation drop
My last sputum sample showed no Mac. Of course, bronchiectasis never goes away. Had an exacerbation last month, not serious, just required Augmentin for 2 weeks. Finally thought I was ok, needed to get back to exercise. I did 15 minutes on my treadmill at slow pace. Felt ok, just tired. But then I got more and more exhausted as day progressed. Finally thought to check my oximeter. 91. I’m usually 94 or 93. How can I tell when it’s safe for me to exercise again?i hope someone understands this dilemma.
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Woot, found this on Google: “ A healthy person should be able to achieve normal blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) of 94% to 99% consistently. For patients with mild respiratory diseases, the SpO2 should be 90% or above. Supplementary oxygen should be used if SpO2 levels falls below 90%, which is unacceptable for prolonged periods of time.”
This is also consonant with remarks my daughter-in-law has made; she’s a home health care nurse.
Woot, Maybe try to monitor your O2 as you exercise & if it falls below 90%, consult with your docs. I have good luck using my levalbuterol inhaler both before & after exercise unless I have just nebbed. If I forget before I start out on my walk, I come home quite tired. Now that it is jacket weather, I will put an inhaler in the pocket of my usual jacket.
Sue
Thanks, Thumper. So, basically, dropping to 91 is nothing to worry about.
Sue, I have wrongly resisted using levalbuteral inhalers for a dumb reason. My dad had asthma and our life revolved around rushing to the drugstore to get him another inhaler as he’s gasping, neglecting to ever have a stand by. I was tested for asthma many times, told I didn’t have it but to try this or that inhaler to see if it helped my lung power. I didn’t want to live like my dad, dependent on an inhaler. Your description makes me (1) knock my head against the wall for refusing and (2) deciding to ask my pulmonologist for a prescription. Thanks.
Inhalers have been a way of life in our home since my children were small. We never went anywhere without them. I remember my daughters cross-country skiing competitively with an inhaler tucked into a specially constructed pocket in the sleeve of their condom-suits (the name the girls gave their second-skin-like uniforms), and how excited my daughter was to cross the finish line in 10th grade without needing it - for the first time in 4 seasons! Then at 40, I was diagnosed with asthma as well - and realized I had it since at least my teens and didn't know it.
Unlike your Dad, we never ran out of rescue inhalers. I have one in my purse, in my nightstand, and depending on the season in my backpack/tote bag/bike bag/dance bag. My husband has been known to ask me "Do you have your inhaler?" before we leave the house. I HATE gasping for air!
Both of my daughters still travel with theirs as well.
I hope this helps you.
Sue
Thanks, Sue. I was so dumb to let my experience with my dad get in my way. I really appreciate your telling me about your family’s inhalers. I’ll keep the image of your daughters skiing with them. Really helps. I’m going to call nurse now.