Rapid fluctuating 02 levels

Hello @robman - It can be really hard to recover fully after an illness - even one like influenza, which often includes some pneumonia. It is great that they have checked your heart and circulation.
Fluctuations in oxygen levels are common during recovery, and in fact, during our daily lives in general. It seems we just never really pay attention to them until we become ill. Another member, @yvonne55 waited several months to improve after pneumonia, and her doctor told her the same.

Some things you can do to help your recovery -
Get up and move around as much as possible. This helps keep your body from deconditioning even more. That doesn't necessarily mean a 3 mile run, just getting up and doing daily chores for 5-10 minutes at a time, every hour. Yes, your O2 sats will probably go down, but keep moving anyway and they will recover.
Intentional breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing will help improve lung capacity
(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing)
Using an Incentive Spirometer (probably given to you in the hospital) will also help.
Sit upright in a firm chair when you are up - your recliner is NOT your friend. We often have poor posture sitting there, making it harder to fill our lungs with each breath. Or we doze lightly, and don't breather fully.
Stay well-hydrated and eat healthy food.
Finally, concentrate on things that help you recover - not on that little number on a screen. Seeing O2 sats go up and down just increases anxiety.

Were you given any exercises to do when you left the hospital? Do you have ready access to healthy meals to help you heal?
Sue

Hi sue, I was reading yvonnes post last night, at the end she kinda just disappeared have you spoken to her since her last post? is she ok? The only thing I was sent home with was oxygen and that machine you talking about.

I just checked her posting history, and she is still checking in from time to time. If you respond to one of her posts to ask how she is doing, she'll be notified ans reply to you.
If you have more questions about recovery and don't get answers from here, feel free to post back here for more suggestions.
HOw long have you been home from the hospital? How much O2 are you using now? Full time, overnight or just as needed?
Sue

I have been home about a month n a week,. I use 02 mostly just to sleep at night once in awhile during the day when I feel winded. I'm on 2 liters.

Hello Sue and @robman! I had 2 back to back bouts of aspiration pneumonia, the second with sepsis and it caused PTSD. But I'm feeling so much better. My 02 was bouncing all over the place! 94/96 at rest. Sometimes 96 while moving. Sometimes 88. No one knew why. Some speculated it was due to deconditioning. It's very hard on every part of your body. I was sent home with no oxygen. I was happy on 2 litres in hospital. But they took it off and sent me for a walk with the r/t who said I didnt need it. I felt I did need it because when I moved it felt like my lungs just weren't expanding. So I stayed in bed pretty much full time for 2 months. But I couldnt breathe and was told twice no to oxygen. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore and started by sitting on a chair slowly unloading the dishwasher. But when I moved my heart rate shot to 135+ so that was scary too. It's been almost 6 months now. At my pulmonologist appt in Jan, I found out my lungs are healing well but I have a sliding hiatus hernia? Oh lovely! And what is that please? My pulmonologist wasnt good. He said I do lungs only. Ask your gp. He said the same thing when I tried to ask him about a lung friendly diet so he was not helpful at all . I waited 4 months for this? My GP would not refer me to a dietitian because he said it wasn't necessary but I happen to think it is because these are my lungs. The only thing I learned about a hiatus hernia was to eat final food hours before bed don't drink right before. And because I have Gerd and wear a CPAP I also have to sleep on a wedge and take nexium for life. My one STILL unanswered question is lungs and dairy. Maybe Sue could weigh in here. I've spoken with doctors and Specialists regarding eating dairy because I miss my yogurt and cottage cheese. Some doctors said yes it will increase your mucus and some said absolutely not! My own doctor? Well hes never heard of it either way! I go for a lung function test Feb 28 but I think I'll be good. I can fully exhale in 1 second and do well with my home spirometer. I dont turn blue or run out of air and I'm up just about all day now. I'm getting out more which is good as I was too scared before for fear i would do a face plant while out. I learned lungs cannot be rushed. Take it slow but keep moving. Text anytime! Sue, any thoughts on dairy?

Good morning Yvonne - I smiled when I read this because I just prepared my morning concoction of yogurt, dried cranberries and cashews, topped by a little cajeta (carmelized goat cheese and honey.)

So, as our stellar pediatrician explained almost 40 years ago, dairy can thicken mucus. So when you have a cold or respiratory infection and are producing a lot of mucus, avoid most dairy to help keep it thin. But the rest of the time, unless you are allergic to some part of it, it's a great way to get protein, calcium and other nutrients.

And then, "...I found out my lungs are healing well but I have a sliding hiatus hernia? Oh lovely! And what is that please?"
You can read about it here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373379
It is the most common type, and a common cause of GERD, your primary can help you decide when and if it may need any treatment other than your current precautions. My Dad lived with his for his entire adult life.

Glad to hear things are still improving for you. Thanks for responding to @robman so he knows there is a recovery path!
Sue
Sue

Thank you for the reply! I guess dairy is a no for me then. I seem to have post nasal drip as the back of my nose/throat is producing a fair amount of mucus from morning till night. It s not coming from my lungs but its thick. And sometimes in mid conversation I sound mucousy and have to stop and clear my throat. I've never had that before either. 🙄

Thank you for responding yvonne did you have any pressure in your back right lower back and some in the right front stomach? Not all the time just on and off,?

I have that mucus too I thought was from my lungs but it's my sinus. I've coughed some up and it thick thick white mucus.

I hope you don't mind me adding my experience to the conversation. I had a hiatal hernia for many years before it needed to be operated on. My Gastriontologist finally referred me to a surgeon in 2021, previously he was saying whenever I wanted surgery I could (who wants to have surgery if they don't need to). It got so bad that over 1/2 of my stomach was above the diaphragm and then more would slide up from time to time. I was very sensitive to gluten, mint, sugary foods and excess of food. It did effect my lungs, because the stomach was putting pressure on my lungs (both wanting to occupy the same space). Some doctors do the surgery as an out patient procedure (which is how the insurance has it set up), I was in the hospital for 4 days after due to a pneumothorax. I also found out after, they only have one shot at fixing the issue without complications. However, my GP just gave me the reference to the Gastriontologist. So I would advise to hold off if you can.