COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I have a question for my group of experts out there.
My soon to be X dr told me I could not survive on room air and could not breathe if I did not have it during the night. He did not test me, he is so arrogant he just decided to make the statement and insist he was right with no proof.
When my therapist supervisor came to review my progress she was surprised that I was still on the oxygen. I told her what the dr said and she had me remove the oxygen for one hour as we sat at the table and talked and my spo and it ranged from 95-99. She had me walk for one minute w/0 oxygen for one minute and it was 94. I walked for 2 minutes and it dropped to 85 but went to 95 withing 30 seconds. She said to practice everyday to walk without it for 2 min and increase by 30 seconds after 2 weeks.
My husband checked me every 15 minutes while I slept for an hour and I ranged from 97-99.
My therapist has given me the name of another dr and I will be making an appointment.
I was curious about what this group may have experienced with this issue.
Thank you.................
My soon to be X dr told me I could not survive on room air and could not breathe if I did not have it during the night. He did not test me, he is so arrogant he just decided to make the statement and insist he was right with no proof.
When my therapist supervisor came to review my progress she was surprised that I was still on the oxygen. I told her what the dr said and she had me remove the oxygen for one hour as we sat at the table and talked and my spo and it ranged from 95-99. She had me walk for one minute w/0 oxygen for one minute and it was 94. I walked for 2 minutes and it dropped to 85 but went to 95 withing 30 seconds. She said to practice everyday to walk without it for 2 min and increase by 30 seconds after 2 weeks.
My husband checked me every 15 minutes while I slept for an hour and I ranged from 97-99.
My therapist has given me the name of another dr and I will be making an appointment.
I was curious about what this group may have experienced with this issue.
Thank you.................
I can't comment on the O2 until my pulse oximeter arrives next week.
But in my case, little by little I increased from 30 feet to several miles at a time. I now workout at the gym (hard) six days a week for an hour each time. I am not on O2. Six years ago my X-doc gave me 2 years to live. Why are so many lung specialists arrogant SOBs and morons as well.?
Dale(tinster)
I am glad your getting a new Doctor. Something such as breathing is a critical issue not to mess around with.
You certainly don't want your lungs to become lazy and start depending on 02 when not needed.
Did you ask the Doctor why he wanted you on night 02 and what test warranted him making this decision?
Not sure what symptoms you were having or why he didn't order any testing.
Was the testing your husband done without 02? It would be interesting to know what your levels are on a longer sleeping period. Especially after you have been asleep for at least 5 or 6 hrs. Have you tested your levels upon awakening?
But with your readings I can't believe he told you to use it at night.
I try to stay off of 02 during the day as much as possible and am trying to build up endurance so I can remain at a low level of 02 when active.I have to use mine at night as I am a lazy breather and so my 02's do drop below 90.
Good luck with new Doctor.
Linda, I found that you snored like a giraffe, your sheets are so the wrong color with the rest of the motif in the bedroom and that you were just faking it every 15 minutes as usual!
Walking increased from 30 ft to 2300 ft wihout being sob.
Jona, your funny or you have good writers. lol lol lol I just got new sheets and they do match the motif. Celery green!
Hugs, Sue
So I am very interested in what you have done with your oxygen.
And how far you have come without using it.
So proud of you for asking questions. We are our own avicate (mis spell) Good luck in all you do/
Glad to see ya
Bee
I'm pretty sure Linda is making her foot treks using her own lung power and now better conditioned leg muscles.
Little by little it gets easier and easier and more pleasurable.
Is that correct Linda? Poca a poca?
yer doing great, gal.
dale(tinster)
If I remember correctly weren't you put on oxygen after an exacerbation that included pneumonia? Could be your lungs are healing.
Has the doctor ordered an ABG (arterial blood gas) for you? If those are within normal ranges there doesn't seem to be much need for you to be on oxygen. Pulse ox's are tricky, especially with those of us who are co2 retainers. That will raise the reading to where it appears normal, but doesn't tell how much co2 you are retaining.
My levels, too, dropped when I am doing a brisk walk, but they pop right back up, and the therapist said that was okay.
Getting another doctor's opinion sounds like a good idea.
Best good wishes to you for a happy outcome.
Hugs,
Joni
margaret