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Oxygen level improved?
I was diagnosed with stage 4 COPD a few months ago and using a POC periodically try throughout the day, sometimes at night. I was in bed most of the days for a year or so. My question is, I was just in the hospital for 6 weeks due to something else. I did not use oxygen at all and my levels were 96/98. I’m home and they still are. Can it be the steroids and antibiotics? Plus I’ve been more active. I have a PFT in two weeks to see where I’m at. Make sense at all??? Thank you!
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I am too familiar with COPD 🙁 My mom had it, my brother has very bad COPD now and I have also been diagnosed with 'severe' COPD. Steroids could certainly make a difference but being active definitely helps too. I think it's common to be afraid to do things for fear of getting short of breath or having difficulty starting because of shortness of breath but every little bit of exercise or even movement helps. Of course you don't want to overdue but pushing yourself a little is good. Have you tried a pulmonary rehab program? That might be a thought.
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4 ReactionsSteriods definitely make a huge difference in breathing comfortably. I use them during an exacerbation. Exercise is very important to those of us with COPD. It strengthens the lungs and slows the progression of the disease. Also, be VERY aware of air quality! I have the "AirNow" app on my phone and check it every morning. I do not spend any extended time outside if the measurement goe up beyond the "green zone", to moderate, "yellow zone".
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4 ReactionsAbsolutely amazing. I have no idea how or why but would love to be able to follow your journey. I am stage 2 so far in 5 yrs.
I wish you well and that whatever was treated for so long was the reason for the condition or corrected how far along it semed you were.
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3 ReactionsI find that prednisone helps tremendously-I take 10mg daily for at least 4 days and then off for a few days. Anyone do any other plans? I'm looking for long term or alternate use. It helps me function normally but I'm concerned about long term use. I am extremely limited in activity without use!
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1 ReactionI have COPD characterized by bronchiostasis as well as severe centrilobar emphysema. Don't know what stage I am since my pulmonologist at a very reputable Boston facility doesn't mention it. Pretty much get along with periodic use of duoneb, albuterol puffer, and every now and then prednisone. Don't like the latter as it disturbs my sleep and with my CPAP, that is hard enough to get. What complicates my picture is cardiac issues. A new aortic valve leaving a severely enlarged L atrium and thickened L ventrical with a 4.4 AATA. So, at any given time, can't be sure what is causing my severe dyspnea, heart, lungs, both? And because of that, moving along to some degree of palliation seems medically beyond reach. Pulmonary and cardio both say, "Well, you have this and that" as though that explanation solves the issue. Neither agent will provide me with supplemental oxygen because they say I might develop CO2 overload. And I thought for years that Catch 22 was just a book title.