I didn't need it. By the time I left the hospital, my oxygen levels were 98%-100%. I still had the feeling of being short of breath at times though, but my oxygen rates were always good. When I was diagnosed with my PE, my oxygen rates were in normal range, which seems hard to believe given I had clots in both lungs that were considered massive.

Panic and anxiety can make you feel short of breath so that sometimes is part of it.

I spent about a week in the hospital with the first few days in ICU. I came home on O2 and used it a couple of times after the bed rest phase. Well meaning family would get nervous when I would push it a little and nag for me to put it on. I got rid of the tanks and concentrator as soon as my doc said to give it a try without it. It has now been a year. I had a repeat event but I don't regret getting rid of the O2.

I am a big believer in find a doc you trust and follow his/her advice.
If you need it use it. If it is anxiety related, I hope you find peace enough to do without it. Good luck.

After 9 days in the hosp in Feb, my o2 level was good while laying with no activity.... however, any type of minimal activity (talking, eating) made it drop and feelings of sickness and suffocation set in quick.. Walking a few steps made it plummet to mid 80's to low 90's! It was horrible!! --in addition, I was bedridden for the 1st week w/ heavy meds due to bad chest pains and headaches so we didn't realize my o2 dropped to low until a week in....

I went home with o2 & am just now feeling as if I don't need it .. I had to sleep with it at night bc o2 levels were out of whack & use the push/carry tanks... (I dont need it at night any longer and only use it minimally for increased activity now since last weeks) ... But even tho its a pain, I see the benefit of it... esp when those crazy sob/cant get air to body/ light headed/sick feelings set in.. I feel like my body was suffering without it..

At four months post PE, I still need O2 at night and when I exercise; otherwise my levels drop below 88. I'm getting pretty frustrated that my lung isn't getting better quicker.

For anyone using O2 everyday (either all day or overnight) please remember to lubricate the nasal passages with a water based jelly to keep them from drying out. My ENT said that KY jelly would be fine.

I have a hydrolizer attached to my O2 concentrator to humidify the air also. Perhaps a room humidifier might work---- I don't know.

A bloody nose can result from too dry nasal passages and the older the person the more likely. You know we don't want bloody noses. :)