So exhausted after a little exertion makes me not want to do anything

@rpec In addition to what @irenea8 suggested, here are some thoughts. She is correct about staying on oxygen, failing to do so "starves" your body and brain of properly enriched blood, which can cause many problems.
Is it possible you are panting because you are deconditioned? Have you done a course of respiratory rehabilitation to try to improve your situation?
Is it possible that you also have cardiac issues complicating your situation?

@rpec I am in similar situation. On O2 at night using concentrator in upstairs bedroom. Problem is downstairs where I would have to use a portable. Medicare helps with one stationary and one portable but not another. Carrying a portable and doing work around the house is difficult. I doubt I could do a six minute walk test without O2. I do go to BE specialist. Albuterol 7% saline, aerobica, autogenic drainage, and positional drainage. Pulmonary Rehab helped and once my back issues resolve I hope to go back.

@rpec I find using the small oximeters do not work well on me. At poulmonary they will read low 80s buy using the more professional oximeters it will read 93 or more. Low Percussion index maybe due to RA in fingers.

No problem with CO2. I have done pulmonary rehab not sure what respiratory rehabilation is. I have been on steroids but not on them now.
The only reason I ended up with O2 is because I had Covid about 6 months ago and spent one night in hospital to make sure my lungs were not damaged anymore. The local hospital suggested O2. I thought when I was on it I would be able to do things in the house. I have the big O2 at home with long tubing and ordered a portable one for $3200. I never opened it because i wanted to make sure the O2 would help. Didn't work...still panted just as much while on it. Dr told me to send
portable back and suggested just to use the one I have at home at night. Which I have been doing. Can't tell any difference.

@nicholslg what is your O2 level when you are not on O2? You seem to say O2 gives you extra breath to do things in the house? I would love for that to work for me. I did pulmonary rehab. Didn't have a problem doing the treadmill, bicycle, weights, and arm peddle. Using the arms to peddle was the most difficult. Glad it helped you but I couldn't tell much difference.

@nicholslg you are right..the home oximeters are not as accurate as the ones in the Dr's office. In fact, when dr checks it my O2 is 96/97. When I check it at home it runs 93-94. Maybe sometimes 95. All this w/o O2.

@sueinmn I do not have any cardiac problems. I have had a couple of cardiac test and heart is fine. I know I'm reconditioned. Used to exercise regularly until I got this and do very little since it hard for me to breath. I know i need to make myself walk, even around abd around in the house but I feel so much better just sitting is the problem.

@irenea8 Blood gases are ok.

Perhaps your issue is from long COVID since that is one of the causes listed for O2 being ok but still SOB
Or possible anemia. or Pulmonary hypertension, sleep apnea, or reflux (GERD).

@rpec
That is good news if your gases are ok! My blood gases are quite high and I do have hypercapnia and hypoxia. Drs say if anyone were to have my levels all of a sudden they would die. But my body has acclimated over time. My kidneys compensate by producing bicarbonate. The body is amazing.

Also when I was put on Oxygen in 2025 my O2 levels were in the 60's. I should not have lived with that but my body slowly adjusted. I must have been struggling with levels in the 80's for a long time not realizing it. Then it kept going down until it became critical and I was hospitalized. For some time I thought my Oximeter was inaccurate but it was not. So get a good high quality one and trust it and use it.

I wonder why some of you use Oxygen at night but not during the day. At night I can turn mine down to almost 1. During the day it has to be 2.5 or 3. Even so cannot do much that is physically active. Sitting feels the best.