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Sudden low blood oxygen levels: Anyone else have Vasculitis?

Posted by SusanEllen66 @SusanEllen66, Feb 15, 2022

I suddenly started feeling awful about 2 days ago so I went to urgent care for a COVID test. I had checked my oxygen levels before I went and it was low (90]. The test was negative and the chest X-ray was normal. Things have not improved over the last day or so in fact my O2 level has dipped down to 88 twice. I’m going to see a pulmonologist tomorrow and I am set for a CT scan next week.
I believe that the Vasculitis I have may be the cause because it inflames my arteries. Inflammation of the arteries prevents the oxygen rich blood from nourishing the organs.
Anyone else here have Vasculitis? I have Polyarthritis Nodosa.

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Mar 7, 2022

I had a CT of my lungs. They saw “ground glass” (their description of opaque shadows in my lungs). Pulmonologist said it’s from inflammation. My inflammation markers are high.
I am currently on oxygen because my blood oxygen levels are still too low.
They upped my dose of prednisone to 30mg.
Now the question is will these opaque shadows eventually go away?

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "I had a CT of my lungs. They saw “ground glass” (their description of opaque shadows..." + (show)
@SusanEllen66

I had a CT of my lungs. They saw “ground glass” (their description of opaque shadows in my lungs). Pulmonologist said it’s from inflammation. My inflammation markers are high.
I am currently on oxygen because my blood oxygen levels are still too low.
They upped my dose of prednisone to 30mg.
Now the question is will these opaque shadows eventually go away?

Jump to this post

Hi @SusanEllen66, You might want to join the following discussion and read what other members have shared.

What is ground glass on a lung CT scan?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-ground-glass-on-a-ct-lung-scan/

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1 reply
SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @SusanEllen66, You might want to join the following discussion and read what other members have..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @SusanEllen66, You might want to join the following discussion and read what other members have shared.

What is ground glass on a lung CT scan?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-ground-glass-on-a-ct-lung-scan/

Jump to this post

Thanks John!

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Mar 20, 2022

My blood oxygen levels are getting better. However, I am still short of breath. I had a breathing test last week and I get results tomorrow. The doctor said that I will be having a bronchoscopy soon too.

I just don’t know how to feel about all this! I am 72 and was exposed to second hand smoke as a child and early adult. In my late teens I worked with extremely strong ammonia used to develop blueprints. The ammonia fumes were so strong that I had to run out of the room occasionally to catch my breath.
My pulmonologist said that even though my exposures were more than 60 years ago they could be a problem. Oh, there was also the DDT fog spray in the neighborhoods in the late 1950’s! Yikes

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Apr 20, 2022

Update, I have an appointment with the Pulmonary Department in Mayo, Phoenix in early May. I’m glad they accepted me.

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deb914 | @deb914 | Feb 21 12:19pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "Thanks Ginger, I have not seen it before. I will check it out!" + (show)
@SusanEllen66

Thanks Ginger, I have not seen it before. I will check it out!

Jump to this post

Yes I do - I'm currently trying to figure it out - I was only recently diagnosed with a rare type of vasculitis, which can't be treated, and lately I'm noticing my spo2 levels are usually about 90%.... I don't know what I should do about it if anything.... I've had shortness of breath for years, especially since covid....

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2 replies
deb914 | @deb914 | Feb 21 12:23pm
In reply to @siosal "Hi I am getting excellent care in Boston. And have done well so far. Yes….drugs are..." + (show)
@siosal

Hi
I am getting excellent care in Boston.
And have done well so far. Yes….drugs are keeping a lot of us alive and healthiest possible.
Sounds as though we are doing well.

Jump to this post

What to do if one cannot tolerate steroids and other meds??!!

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1 reply
SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 21 1:36pm
In reply to @deb914 "Yes I do - I'm currently trying to figure it out - I was only recently..." + (show)
@deb914

Yes I do - I'm currently trying to figure it out - I was only recently diagnosed with a rare type of vasculitis, which can't be treated, and lately I'm noticing my spo2 levels are usually about 90%.... I don't know what I should do about it if anything.... I've had shortness of breath for years, especially since covid....

Jump to this post

@deb914

I have Polyarteritis Nodosa and was on Methotrexate for a short while.
My oxygen levels started dropping as low as 84.
It turned out to be the Methotrexate that was causing the problem.

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siosal | @siosal | Feb 21 5:24pm
In reply to @deb914 "What to do if one cannot tolerate steroids and other meds??!!" + (show)
@deb914

What to do if one cannot tolerate steroids and other meds??!!

Jump to this post

Look into Avacopan.

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1 reply
deb914 | @deb914 | Feb 21 5:55pm
In reply to @siosal "Look into Avacopan." + (show)
@siosal

Look into Avacopan.

Jump to this post

Thank you, I'll definitely look into it. The problem I'm up against is that I can't get a proper diagnosis because the autoimmune element in my family has not yet been 'discovered' by research.... so no doctor will get involved.... I'm too complex!! But I'm always researching nevertheless so many thanks xx

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