I have one, I use it daily, when I get SOB, or just want to check it. They come in all price range..here is one that is reasonable.

http://www.pulseoximeter.org/cms50dl.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=20910736823&utm_content=pla

I like to check once a day, especially in the morning when it seems to be more erratic, at least in my case. It was not expensive and it's easy to use. Also good to know I have it when I am SOB.

Good luck. I ordered mine through Amazon but they are easy to find and maybe your pharmacist would have the best one or best advice.

Hugs, Cindy

I bought one when I started rehab on advice of the nurse. I use it primarily when exercising to determine if I need to use O2. I also have used it during a minor flare up so I could tell my Pulmo. how the levels were.

I bought mine at Walmart for around $30.

Chrissie -
The only question that is silly is the one not asked. Those of us that have been here a while have a tendency to toss acronyms and suchlike around without thinking of the newer people.
As far as a pulse oximeter I use mine often, esp. while exercising or exerting myself. I adjust my O2 LPM to keep my SPO2 (hemoglobin saturation as measured by a pulse oximeter) above 92%. When your SPO2 falls lower than 88% organ damage starts to occur. Here's a link for some basic information: http://www.pulseox.info/
There are other considerations when using a pulse oximeter. Just because it reads a "good" level for SPO2 does not mean there cannot be other things wrong that cause one to feel bad. Just remember using it as a quick check and to insure you are responding to O2 therapy correctly is OK, but it isn't the do-all-end-all for breathing problems.

Hugs,
Dennis

I definitely think it's worth it to buy a pulse oximeter. I use mine daily to make sure my O2 saturation is above 92% during exercise and daily activities.

Most definitely yes on getting one. It lets me check on how my levels are and it to low I can let the Dr know.
And Denny is right there is never a silly question only one not asked.

I found my on amazon. You can find some good prices there.
God bless.

I use mine every day, and I'm really glad I bought it. Mine was $50 from one of the drug stores, and it also shows your heart rate, but I'm sure you can find one cheaper from one of the places suggested by others here. Just make sure to take it to your doctor's office and compare it with theirs to make sure it's accurate.

YES!
i love mine. and it has taught me when i need to up my O2 for high altitude & exerting myself.
now i can pretty well "guess" where i'm at and turn up my O2 when needed because of checking it when i felt out of wind in the begining.
i have a friend in end stage & she's gone to the hospital "feeling bad" numerous times this year to find out her O2 was down in the 70's.
i can't beleive she doesn't have one to monitor herself & save hospital trips!

I also have the walmart one for about $30.00.

I use it several times a day.

Some days I can stay at 92% without oxygen, And other days I have to turn My oxygen up a little to stay above 88%. I also bought a cheap peak flow meter I like to keep track of that also.

It is a very useful tool to check if the is enough O2 in your blood. At 88% O2 saturation and below vital organs, heart, lungs are damaged. The more we are below 89% the more damage occurs, the shorter time you will live and the less quality of life you will have.

It's a gauge. Is the gas gauge on your car important? The oil light or temperature gauge? If you didn't have them you would be running out of gas all of the time and would be destroying engines from friction from lack of oil. An oximeter is a bit like a speedometer also in that it can advise you to slow down.

Sometimes we get congested from allergies, chemicals, perfumes or illnesses and we don't know if we need medical care or not. We can use an oximeter to see if we are getting enough O2. If it's low we can work on raising it. Purse lipped breathing, try an allergy pill, steam.. etc. If after a day you can't get your O2 above 88% without working at it, it might be time to call the doc. If you have an oximeter you can tell him/her your numbers to help him/her decide what to do.

Hope this helps.

tom

I am ADDICTED to mine!!!!!!!!!!...I actually take it to bed with me (it has its own little pillow - LOL (jk))..............when I wake up in the middle of the night, I check it.....(I don't sleep with it on, but find it in the bed and check).........a True Pulseox addict.

I got my most recent one at Walmart.......$34..........had it maybe 2 months.............my old one was 5 years old.....I dropped it and the clip that held the batteries in broke:(:(

Thank you all so very much as per usual you have come up trumps with your help and advise. This side of the pond our shops and outlets are a bit different to yours but I will definately get onto Amazon today, Grannie the one you gave me looks fine so thanks for that link.
Thanks Dennis for saying no question is too silly because here comes another one.......what does SOB mean?? I am presuming it is short of breath but hey it could also be an American term not used by us English ha ha, we are so alike but not in many ways!!
Again thank you all so much it is much appreciated

Hugs Chrissie

You win the priize, it does indeed mean short of breath! Since it may prove useful with our buzzwords again, here is a link to a list of terms and abbreviations: http://www.copdcanada.ca/accro_&_abbr.htm

Hugs,
Dennis

If you can find a way to get one, do. If someone has no insurance and goes to get that test in the dr office, its 70.00. (last time a few years ago during a exam). I had to tell them no. I used my dad's.

I bought one from Amazon yesterday. It should be here tomorrow. I can see where such an item could be very handy.