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Wildly fluctuating O2 levels

Lung Health | Last Active: Dec 3 5:39pm | Replies (126)

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@gdanker

Yes, I am on oxygen but I use it at night and sometimes when my oxygen levels drop below 88 during the day. My doctor says that an oximeter is of value because it does show how much oxygen is going into my lungs, even though my lungs are not absorbing it all, so that when I do oxygen, perhaps a little more is utilized. I still don't really understand it. Visits are short, he answers my questions which at the time seem to make some sense but then when I get home and think about them, I still feel confused about it. It's always a matter of "why didn't I ask him this or that question"! For my condition, it is best to keep my oxygen levels between 88-92, as I guess my body is okay with that and there is no damage to other organs in that range. However, that is tricky to do in itself. That is not to say that 94- or so is necessarily bad, but I guess if it's too high, then there could be C02 buildup! Perhaps, someday I'll understand it better but I sometimes feel that the medical profession has no concrete answers to this problem! Still, I'm feeling well enough at present, although I take it easy and rest between chores etc. If I am doing anything more strenuous, which I try to avoid, I do use oxygen while doing so. Usually, just sitting down brings it back to a more normal range and I don't need to do oxygen. I hope this is not too confusing for you, but I can only suggest that you ask your doctor these questions and see what he has to say!

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Replies to "Yes, I am on oxygen but I use it at night and sometimes when my oxygen..."

Your situation sounds familiar to me.
Sitting on the sofa my oxygen level is 95 and higher - which is normal for an older person.
But add exertion and it drops. On the treadmill at a moderate walk, I will be 88-90 and be fine.
But exertion with a little stress and I am really without breath and my oxygen goes even lower than 88. Last weekend I wanted a Covid test and went to Urgent Care. A 3-minute walk and I arrived out of breath and with Oxygen at 86 and they got all excited and insisted on triaging me-EKG, blood test, medical doctor. I had to stay there some 2+hours. I have lung cancer and other lung/heart issues. They can do nothing for me. I am waiting for my doctors to connect the dots.