Oxygen Levels --- Help Please

[Bill B]

I just booked a Carribean cruise for us for next May, so my goal now is to get there & be able to go on it!

Don't worry too much about that - it should be at seal level!

 

[Jkm7]

We just returned from a cruise and can assure you breathing that clear, sea level air is magnificent. We can never get enough days at sea.

Sorry you have to deal with these issues and hope the tests provide good info. Sounds like you are in very good hands with that doc.

 

[hall]

Norma, sorry you are having this happen. I hope they help you and you are feeling much better for that cruise.
I will say when I was in the hospital with my AVR they kept me on oxygen. One morning the nurse came in and said "oh your oxygen is 95%, that is good." I said that's nice the oxygen has not been on all night She had a look of horror on her face and hurried and flipped the oxygen on Anyway, she did tell me 95% was good. Not sure though exactly what it is supposed to be. Best of luck to you Norma.

 

[skeptic49]

Sorry to read about the o2 issue, Norma. Hope all is squared away so that you will enjoy your cruise.

Jim

 

[Ross]

I'm fairly sure it's 92 to 100% for room air. Anything less then 92% on room air, you qualify for oxygen supplementation.

 

[buncle]

Norma
I know nothing about this subject-just positive thoughts and prayers coming your way.

 

[KristyW]

I'm fairly sure it's 92 to 100% for room air. Anything less then 92% on room air, you qualify for oxygen supplementation.

Depends on what the altitude is where you live. Here in the mile high city 90% is where the nurses start squawking at you.

 

[Ross]

Depends on what the altitude is where you live. Here in the mile high city 90% is where the nurses start squawking at you.

I suppose. I'm only 1228ft above sea level here.

 

[Freddie]

Norma, I too could be in the same boat as you, but for now try to stay positive and strong.

Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

 

[CThrock]

Norma, Sorry to hear your going through this. But, the oxygen at night might really help with your headaches and energy level. When I was on oxygen it helped relieve the pressure off my heart so I could build up my lungs. I know we talked the other night about this, but feel you would feel much better on giving it a try. I would talk to your dr a little more about it so you can feel comfortable with what ever decision you make.
God Bless you and keep the faith.

 

[kfay]

Norma, I'm just now catching this since we are out of town and I haven't had a computer. I'm sorry to hear about this latest twist from your Dr.'s. I have the overnight pulse oximeter test every year at the Mayo...not any big deal, just the thing on your finger hooked up to a monitor. I don't have my reports with me here, but I want to say I dropped a couple of times overnight to the high 80's and they were ok with it. During the day however, I was always in the high 90's. Maybe a CPAP will be all that you will need and won't need oxygen 24/7. Please keep us posted.

Kimmie

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi Norma,


I am really not familiar with oxygen levels. Just want you to know, that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like you will feel much better with the added oxygen at night.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise! If you can, please post a pic or two!

 

[Eva]

Norma,

In 2005 I went to the doctor complaining about light headache all day, when I went to bed, and when I woke up, plus fatigue. He asked my hubby if I snored at night. My hubby did not hesitate to say: Oh, YES!! I did not know I did. Anyhow, he sent me for SLEEP APNEA clinic and it confirmed I had sleep apnea and that was why my oxygen level was low and caused my light headache and fatigue then. Right away, my oxygen level had significantly increased--it is around 98.

Note: Everyone who has sleep apnea snores, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

I and hubby have been using APAP machines since then. (CPAP forces a certain unchageable amount of air, while APAP forces air according to your breathing need).

As Nancy said above, I too could not tolerate the mask in the beginning and would take it out during the nights. Now, it is a routine.

Keep us informed and good luck. This is a simple solution.

 

[Ross]

To answer the question, as I just saw my pulmonologist, 95% or better for normal. I sat at 92% on 4LPM of oxygen and he said, well that's o.k., but certainly not ideal. Still far better then the 78% when they first put the oximeter on me after walking down the hall.

 

[Doug]

My new cardiologist put me on Spiriva about 3 weeks ago (fortunately, my prescription coverage handles most of the cost). I was still congested after my cath and he wanted my lungs clear before the AVR. For the last couple of weeks I have not had any issues with waking up short of breath and I have felt better in the mornings. And, I have been able to sleep in bed rather than the recliner. The lasix probably helped as well.

 

[netmiff]

To answer the question, as I just saw my pulmonologist, 95% or better for normal. I sat at 92% on 4LPM of oxygen and he said, well that's o.k., but certainly not ideal. Still far better then the 78% when they first put the oximeter on me after walking down the hall.

my MIL was at 36% when it was prescribed for her - she put the mask on, and I could see the colour in her face changing!

 

[njean]

Well, the tech came out & brought me the meter to monitor my oxygen levels last Monday. During the night, I woke up several times & I saw on the meter, that my levels were at 88, 87 & perhaps even lower when I fell back to sleep. On Tuesday morning, the tech came, picked up the monitor & said that either he or the dr. would be calling me to let me know what the results were.

As or Friday, I had not heard from either of them! I finally called Friday afternoon to the tech & he said that the dr had not reviewed the results yet!!! Ghish, here they get me all fired up & I'm still waiting to see what happens! Dealing with drs can be so dog-gone frustrating!

So perhaps this coming week I'll hear something. Oh, & supposedly, the monitor is suppose to detect if I have sleep apnea. So we'll see what happens.

Thanks everyone for advice, good wishes, concern. You're the best!

 

[Ross]

my MIL was at 36% when it was prescribed for her - she put the mask on, and I could see the colour in her face changing!

At 36%? How was she even conscience?

 

[Ross]

Well, the tech came out & brought me the meter to monitor my oxygen levels last Monday. During the night, I woke up several times & I saw on the meter, that my levels were at 88, 87 & perhaps even lower when I fell back to sleep. On Tuesday morning, the tech came, picked up the monitor & said that either he or the dr. would be calling me to let me know what the results were.

As or Friday, I had not heard from either of them! I finally called Friday afternoon to the tech & he said that the dr had not reviewed the results yet!!! Ghish, here they get me all fired up & I'm still waiting to see what happens! Dealing with drs can be so dog-gone frustrating!

So perhaps this coming week I'll hear something. Oh, & supposedly, the monitor is suppose to detect if I have sleep apnea. So we'll see what happens.

Thanks everyone for advice, good wishes, concern. You're the best!

Me thinks they'll want to do a sleep study on you and perhaps either oxygen therapy or CPAP mask. That's the new plans for me anyhow.

 

[Lynlw]

At 36%? How was she even conscience?

I know, Justin was 63 before his surgery at 18 months and he was so blue he looked like a smurf with his white blond hair.

I agree with Ross below, it sounds like a sleep study needs done, and if not Cpap or something like it maybe you'll just need to sleep with O2 on.