anyone have shortness of breath when on oxygen and walking

Posted by broach188 @broach188, Dec 18, 2024

I have shortness of breath when I walk can not breath good except when I am in a store and I push a cart .When I walk around my oxygen levels drop I have to sit down.Anyone else do this

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@mswendeu

I have permission from my pulmonologist to turn my o2 up to 3 or 4 when walking, exerting etc.. I would not do this on my own without clearing from my doctor first though.
If I really feel I need to I will. Otherwise, I just go slower, relax, breathe slower, exhale longer (like when blowing out the candles), take time to read things a long the path this helps me to stop and catch my breath before moving forward. Hope this helps. Take care and breathe easy.

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Iam the same way but when I am pushing a cart I don't have SOB.I don't understand though why I can shop pushing a cart and not have SOB

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@broach188

Iam the same way but when I am pushing a cart I don't have SOB.I don't understand though why I can shop pushing a cart and not have SOB

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You may be using the cart to support some of your weight. That takes a good deal of strain off of your muscles which in turn causes you to use less oxygen.

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@crystalena

You may be using the cart to support some of your weight. That takes a good deal of strain off of your muscles which in turn causes you to use less oxygen.

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I use a walker to hold my 02 concentrator when I am out. I use the walker inside also it does help with the breathing

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@broach188

Iam the same way but when I am pushing a cart I don't have SOB.I don't understand though why I can shop pushing a cart and not have SOB

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It is wheeling you along which takes the weight off and a place to put your oxygen which again is less weight then when you were walking carrying your body weight and the tank or machine. I shop with someone else. Usually, my son or daughter they push the cart with the groceries. Aside from my o2 tank the only things in my cart are bread, and a few other light things because the more you add to the cart the more it weighs which is defeating the purpose. I wish you well on your journey.

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@kndaustin71

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.

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My prescription is in continuous flow liters, portable concentrators are usually pulse flow which is not the same thing. I set the pulse flow higher than the continuous flow to get a similar benefit.

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Hi there from Australia... not sure if this is helpful but my mum is the same and is only on 1.5 on the oxygen meter..... She has realised just to put one thing up one nostril and leave the other one out on the side of the nose. Does anyone also get a very sore tummy on the lower left Abdomen area. I have heard when on oxygen that this can be a thing, frustrating when mum is in so much pain and test don't show anything... so just putting it down to the oxygen at this stage.

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I’ve never used the cannula in only one nostril and don’t see how it would be nearly as effective that way.

I don’t have any pain and would ask my MD about that. I don’t believe it’s caused by COPD or O2 and would search for the cause so it could be treated.

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The only way I can KNIW his well I am remaining properly saturated with O2 is by using a reliable pulse oximeter. How I “feel” can be quite inaccurate as to what my saturation rate is.

I like Nonin oximeters but don’t like the high prices so have bought a lightly used one on eBay for under $25, including shipping. It’s bluetooth enabled and works great and matches the readings on my other oximeters and my MD’s hospital grade oximeter. My friends have bought them from eBay as well and are similarly pleased with their Nonin oximeters.

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Yes! My Dr. tells me to walk but it's not doable because I can't breath. Frustrating! I'm ok in stores as long as I have a cart but even that is getting more difficult.

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@vic83

My prescription is in continuous flow liters, portable concentrators are usually pulse flow which is not the same thing. I set the pulse flow higher than the continuous flow to get a similar benefit.

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Is that an okay thing to do? I'll check with my dr. I remember a nurse telling me not to do that but don't remember why.

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