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...

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whew! made my doc appt! 6/11/ 9:15

linda50
linda50
Hi all well I did it just a few questions. If they check my breathing by oxgen level and it reads in the 90 what does that mean? also why is it I can breath one min and not the next ? this may sound stupid but........ I get sooooooooo confused about this copd. thank you all for being here w/ me and know that as I go in tomorrow you will be holding my hand!I could not have done this w/out your post and in put thats what I love about DS. IM scared but as many of you have said this is the best thing I could do for myself. I think the not know is the worst, will let you all know what happens. I DID GO ON THE ADVISE BOARDS BUT DIDN'T GET ANY ANSWERS,may-be just too anxious, about all of this. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE HELP!
LINDA
deleted_user
deleted_user
Linda, so glad you made your appt! I think you will feel so much better just finding out, rather than worrying about the unknown. My oxygen level is usually always in the 90's. It will go up and down depending on what I am doing. I'm not sure what your activities are, but it is a good question to ask your doctor. Now, if I'm tired or have over done it..my will will drop, but if I breathe in through my nose, and slowly breathe out through pursed lips, in no time, it goes right back up!!
Please give us a report from your doctor!! Love, Becky
SoftFlower
SoftFlower
If your resting oxygen level is 90 on the pulse ox it would mean your level is low, but not critically low, probably not low enough to start cell damage, that starts at 88 they say which is when doctors prescribe home oxygen.

Also some times if you take a few deep breaths while on the pulse ox the level goes up a bit.

If you levels on exertion drops to 88 or lower they may want you on home oxygen.

In the early stages of COPD one of the first things that brings us to the doctor is shortness of breath on exertion.

We may feel just fine sitting around, but then when we get up and move about suddenly we feel breathless.

Also getting excited, or smelling perfume or cooking food or smoke can make us breathless.

The medications they use these days help a lot with breathlessness when you have the right medicines you will feel so very much better.

When we are breathless, we are actually puffed up with too much air in our lungs, we are over inflated, do we need to deflate to feel less breathless.

Breath in to the count of 2 and out to the count of 4 or more seconds, this helps you deflate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p5Ree95H7E&feature=related

Your going to be alright, just relax, take a few deep relaxing breaths...

A relaxing hug to you,

Holly
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Again Linda....Way to go...Like Becky my levels also drop with activity...I do use O2 most days at least 18hours....I know my levels are dropping because I can feel it and I began to feel a bit disorientated and confused...The lower they go the more "drunk" (How my children describe it) I appear, slurred words etc...Levels anywhere between 89 and up are what I shoot for and from what I have come to understand....I may be mistaken....but thats a good range any lower (at least for me) has effects....Good Luck and please do let us know how it all goes....
Love and Blessings, Serenity