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COPD Side effects
I was recently released from the hospital following an acute exacerbation of my COPD and am finding that I am getting like "Hot flashes" at times. I have been through menopause and my temperature is normal. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have been told that it could be another buildup of CO2.
Doing everything, I can prevent going into hospital again. Suggestions?
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It really doesn’t make a difference what brand your pulsed machine is . I hear many say they have to stop and rest a bit often while using a portable concentrator. They are handy and kind of discrete. They are noisy tho. That kind of ruins any
incognito. . If you are using a portable pulse, ( first remember they can not produce over 3 ltrs per. The 1-6 speed on them means nothing . If you are having to stop rest and go, then you are harming your body. Not just having SOB. It has negative effects on your body. When your oxygen drops below say 90%. Then the damage starts. When you get it back over 90 your body gets back to function better . Just how many times are you going to do these short episodes of harm ? They add up and will shorten your survival of this disease. It’s not about if you can tolerate the SOB for short intervals. It is harming you.
Thanks.... My O2 isn't low enough for Medicare to pay for O2. I would be interested why you don't think albuterol is a good idea.
Albuterol can cause heart irregularity’s , rapid heart rate , nervousness, anxiety. I am a very anxious type person . I take a prescription for that . I am still in a hurry here🙂. It would not help me any . When they presented the idea of the nebuliser they were smearing 4 times a day . Eeek!! I declined.
You can ask your provider for an exercise oximetry test, where you do the brisk walking, carrying items and going up stairs or inclines, as you do in regular life to see if you qualify for O2 under Medicare. Folks can qualify under this type of test even if resting and even sleeping they’re >88% oxygen saturation.
As I’ve said in other posts, it is VERY important to have the O2 your body needs to avoid getting new health problems and conditions due to low O2 levels.
Albuterol does NOT help your O2 levels but can blunt your feeling of breathlessness.
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1 Reactioninteresting.... I do feel better after an albuterol treatment. I may do some research. I will talk to my doctor. thanks so much.
I was diagnosed at 77 and am 81 now and COPD has not progressed much. I have incorporated the breathing exercises into my regular exercise routine. I use Breztri inhaler and see my pulmonologist once a year
Agreed, VERY important to stay in safe O2 zones. My oxygen levels are 96+ when sitting but any movement and my O2 drops. I did oxygen titration test for my O2 prescription for exertion and a separate overnight oximetry test for O2 prescription for sleep. After qualifying for O2 for exertion, my Pulmonologist said he would be very surprised if I didn't need O2 for sleep as well....and in fact I did
Oxygen is such an important and underutilized tool to help us perform at our best. The newer, lighter POCs either backpacks really do make it easier to get about with O2.
Not all providers think of having us perform our exercise oximetry test similar to our real life situations, where we are carrying loads and rushing and walking up & down stairs. If you don’t test that way and don’t push yourself like everyday life, you and your provider are getting inaccurate & incomplete info.