anyone have shortness of breath when on oxygen and walking

unfortunately I have the same
trying to walk very slowly
will try intravenous laser treatment in January

I had this problem when I used a portable concentrator. I now use a small tank with a cart . It is cumbersome but worth it, as it gives me what I need.

Walking slowly is a great strategy but don't forget to breath in slowly and exhale deeply. the shortness of breath is probably caused by the hyperinflation of the air sacs. So exhale to the fullest that you can, then slowly inhale. Also might want to check with your physician that you are setting the flow meter at the right amount for your condition.

You can ask your doctor for walking oximetry test to find out what level of O2 delivery you need to stay saturated. If it’s more than your portable can deliver, you may need to use a tank or a portable with higher flow and have them test you in whatever you wish to try.

hicopd is right. It's called a 6-minute walking test, results pretty technical. If there is a small discrepancy you could adjust the portable a little as needed. Bigger changes in pulse ox, a tank would be better. I try to consciously move slower and exhale to the fullest. And even stop until to O2 sat comes back up.

Actually there are different tests—the 6 minute walk test is to see how you can walk in 6 minutes. It will also note if you desaturate to 88 or below while walking and try you in varying amounts of O2 to be sure you stay above 90%. The walking oximetry test is more of a real life simulation and you would carry things, go up inclines or stairs and whatever you normally do to see how you function and if you need O2 to stay above 90% doing these activities. They will then test you with the O2 to be sure you stay about 90%. I’ve done both types of tests.

sometimes I have the same problem. I have to turn my oxygen up now to 5 L liters. And sometimes you just have to stop and sit or rest until you get your breath back and then you can push your cart again.

I am the same way. It is very upsetting, because I loose all independence as I can’t even walk from parking lot to grocery store.

It may be helpful to some who use portable concentrators to know this . I learned that the numbers on the settings are NOT liters per min . They are just setting numbers on the dial . Use your finger oxy-meter to check your levels when you are active .