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 am 72, and in April learned that I have COPD. At that time, my oxygen level was 81 while sitting at the doc's office, so I was put on oxygen 24/7 -- 2 liters when sitting and 4 during sleep and activity. I had all of the usual tests, my lung doc said my breathing test wasn't bad enough to justify my low oxygen levels, and my CT Scan only showed a little bit of Emphysema. Other than that, my lungs look fine.
Trying to find the cause of the low oxygen levels, my lung doc had me get a echo with bubbles to check out my heart and to make sure there are no holes in my heart. The result is there are no holes and nothing wrong with my heart.
He told me to have another breathing test in April, and I am supposed to see him again after that test.
Does anyone have any idea what might be causing the low oxygen levels?
Trying to find the cause of the low oxygen levels, my lung doc had me get a echo with bubbles to check out my heart and to make sure there are no holes in my heart. The result is there are no holes and nothing wrong with my heart.
He told me to have another breathing test in April, and I am supposed to see him again after that test.
Does anyone have any idea what might be causing the low oxygen levels?
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hypoxemia/basics/causes/sym-20050930
Anything below a SpO2% of 88% (actually 90% since Oximeters are usually +/- 2%) is considered dangerous. Hopefully, you are still on Oxygen therapy and have purchased an Oximeter. You can help your doctor by carefully monitoring and logging your SpO2%, diet, other medications (prescriptions, OTC, or supplements); periodically and before and after activity. A pattern may emerge or the fact there doesnt appear to be a pattern or obvious association can help with the diagnosis.
i have weird results on my PFT tests because i have both COPD (emphysema) & PF (pulmonary fibrosis/ild), but they both clearly show up on an HRCT.
(my FEV1 is higher than normal for COPD, but my DLCO is low showing that the 02 gets in my lungs but doesn't go from my lungs to my blood stream, so i need to wear 02 also)
and the echo you had done would have shown if you had PH (pulmonary hypertension).
I'm not sure how they checked for blocked arteries, but i assume your dr is doing all the tests to see what is causing it.
sorry i'm of no help, but I do want to welcome you here and I hope they find the cause.
in the meantime thank goodness for oximeters & supplemental 02.
ps.Keep active as the less i do the worse my lungs seem to get.