Hi,
I have also read about the coils and anxious to hear more. I am in the States.
I am writing g about my pft's and my symptoms. My recent fev1 was 94, FVC 96. Will not know rest of details for two weeks. They said mild obstruction. I have only begin to feel symptoms lately. Sob not too bad. What is upsetting is waking up sometimes with a headache (I grind my teeth also) and not sleeping well, so feel very tired sometimes. Like. Heaviness. Oxygen was 98 at doc's, I have my own pulse ox (from pharmacy) and it seems my oxygen fluctuates from 93-97. This is a big drop. The dr got 98 but wonder if mine is accurate.
The usual numbers go up to 96-97, but I do see the drops. Mostly in the morning. I do not have a partner now so do not know if I may have sleep apnea.
I am really worried about the oxygen. Any comments? Thanks!
Hi there Maryterese! please don't fret! I alsohave a fingertip oximeter and from what i've learned is that if the oxygen level persistantly stays below 94 0r lower for atleast ten mins I think five is long enough then you need to be worried also if it occurs nearly every day this is when to seek help I ask one of our GPs at our surgery so I hope this information is off helpto you & others reading this forum!
Hi maryterese! just to quickly clear up some confusion on what I've written even if it stays persistantly low in one day even & doesn't go back up to an acceptible level above 95% as I was told then you still should seek help either see your doctor or go to a walk in clinic if it's seriously low from 90 & lower & doesn't go above 95% then A&E!
Hello I am in Florida USA and my Fev 1 is in the 70% I have a very heavy weight on my chest I get sick alot like I throw up when I do to much cleaning or running from store to store or to Moms house and I am tired alot I go to a lung Specialist on March 2 so will know if there is any lung damage but my Alpha 1 came back negative so I didnt get COPD from my family eventhough my dad died from it and my doctor said I got it from my job and the chemicals I was around I am in Stage two it is progressing I have the smokers cough do you have that also I never smoked at all. So I just try to watch what I do.
Karen, I am not sure yet about how long the levels stay the same. They fluctuate a lot. I would say 94 for a couple of minutes, 95 maybe 4-5 min, then up to 96 or 97 consistently. However, it does fluctuate back to 95 here and there. I cannot imagine needing oxygen at this stage. I am considered mild and do not feel se lever sob. I get around fine. Docs here in Florida say they do not get concerned until it goes to 90, I have heard this many times. I am going to urgent care tmrw to see what they say. I think they will refer me to pulmonologist. Thanks, I am pretty worried.
I meant do not feel severe sob
Also just checked and it was 98 consistently. Still going to check it out. Thanks!
Hi Maryterese,
I have suffered severe breathing troubles since birth and am now 56. Severe asthma, now added, COPD and a touch of emphysema and never smoked.
What I have learned throughout my life is that in the mornings we naturally can have less oxygen levels and a tighter feeling in my chest because we breathe in a shallow fashion while sleeping.
What helps me in the morning is a nice steamy bath or shower and a hot drink. Exercise will get me going too. Small fluctuations in the 90's, as you have described, are not serious unless your doctor says it is, of course.
One question you might consider asking your doctor would be to know at which number, fluctuations, you should be concerned about. Then you will know when to obtain medical help.
Hope this helps.
💛 Dawn, USA
Thank you, Dawn. I am sorry you have COPD on top of asthma. I heard that if you have asthma and did not smoke it can turn into COPD. It sounds like you do pretty well but I am sure it is tough.
I wake up at 4am every night lately with a bad headache. Pulse ox says 92-95. Then after I take a hot!! Shower and have coffee, it goes up to 96-98 and headache usually gone.
I think that is a good point to ask dr about what levels are bad esp in the morning. Obviously shallow breathing is one factor. I don't get SOB when I wake up so it is strange.
Thanks again, wish you and everyone well.
Kathy,
Sorry to hear what you are going through. I know that chemicals can cause COPD. That is really tough. I feel badly that it makes you sick, also.
I do have a cough but it is infrequent (now). My symptoms at this stage are kind of unusual I think.
Take care.
My mother has copd and will not quit smoking. Her pulse ox is low and she may have to go on oxygen. If she quits will her oxygen or pulse ox improve?? It is 90.
Lungs have some capability of healing themselves, but it most likely depends upon various factors. Perhaps age, amount of permanent damage and how well a person takes care of themselves. Unfortunately , It sounds like your mother wants to keep on smoking.
After spending my life breathing abnormally, when I see someone smoking, I just want to smack the cigarettes out of their hands because I would love to have healthy lungs and it is difficult for me to watch people destroying their healthy ones.
Surely something positive would come out of your mother quitting smoking, but only a pulmonary specialist can measure this.
Take care and keep seeking knowledge about your condition so you, as with me, can learn how to manage the disease.
Hugs
💛 Dawn, USA
I agree. It is terrible.
Also wish you the very best.
YOu may well sleep apnea, but lung congestion is not helpful to good sleep patterns,. I still have around 70% lung function remaining but most nights wake up after 4 or 5 hours and can only get back to sleep if I sit in my old comfortable armchair and get another few hours there, then maybe an hour in the afternoon.
Tiredness is definitely a factor with emphysema: the physio at my lung rehab group said it's commonly called the "tired disease". Lung rehab wd be good if you can find a group to go to: you will learn how to manage your breathing and life generally to conserve energy and enjoy life more. I highly recommend it.
Grinding your teeth ... aren't there mouthguards for that?
I don't know about oxygen, I've been told that here in Australia that's a bit of a last resort: certainly in the rehab group I went to there were people who'd had COPD for years who couldn't move more than 5 steps without an oxygen tank. However, even at that late stage of COPD they still found the rehab group helpful.
Jude
I do not know my exact function yet but the numbers were good. I imagine it could be about 80.
At first I thought the headaches were from the teeth - I do have a mouth hard but still happens occasionally. Now that I hear you say you wake up like I do , maybe it is the lung congestion. And yes, I am always tired. It is tough. I have decided that I will take naps when I can.
So frustrating and I am supposedly mild. !! I don't know if I have sleep apnea. I do not wake up out if breath. I will talk to my pulmonologist about it and about the rehab. I admit I am still kind of in shock and very anxious although I have suspected for a while. I do not have a partner anymore, so it is hard to be alone.
As far as oxygen they like to wait until 90 I think here in the US. Insurance won't pay till it is 88. My biggest fear is going on oxygen. I hope my low numbers in the morning are not worrisome for that.
Was in Australia almost 20 yrs ago on business trip. Got to Sydney, Canberra and Byron Bay. Loved it!
Thanks for your help.
Did you go to pulm rehab early?
Does Mucinex help lung congestion at night. It clears congestion and mucus, you must have similar drug. I have very little mucus now but will. Try it out anyway.
Hi Maryterese and All!!
Wow....interesting to read about the pulse/oxy readings! When I was first diagnosed in January 2014, I was dizzy, felt "out of sorts", short of breath and my oxy level was 72. I was diagnosed with COPD as a result of a CT scan and I was immediately put on oxygen ONLY throughout the night. I am on Spiriva, and Advair. Most of the time, my oxy level during the day is 90 + and I walk 2 miles every day. No longer short of breath, have a great appetite, very little mucus and only in the morning right after I get up. I feel GREAT and literally have no symptoms. I had one "flareup" in March 2014 but none since then. I don't understand why doctors are not putting people on oxygen (at least at night) until they are at Level 3 or 4. I had my first appointment with my Pulmonary specialist as soon as my GP had me diagnosed. Follow-up appoints were in 3 months, then 6 months. I was doing so well at the end of my first year that I don't have to go back to my Pulmonary specialist for another year, unless I develop problems. I feel VERY fortunate. We ALL need to keep a positive attitude and do EVERYTHING possible to fight this disease!! My prayers to ALL of you!!!
I knew what you meant by mouth hard! I'm single too, which is sometimes difificult, but to be honest my sleep pattern would probably drive even a housemate nuts! Basically I sleep when I need to pretty much, and as I do casual work to supplement the pension & can choose my own hours, I regard myself as very lucky.
My sleep apnea was diagnosed after a night in a sleep clinic with lots of wires & electrodes, all very interesting, and mine is mild. I do have a machine a friend gave me but haven't set it up yet, because I think the fact that I have to sit up to stop coughing is why I wake up, not necessarily sleep apnea..
Glad you loved Australia - it's the only country I've seen but I love it too, especially as I live in beautiful mountains near a beautiful river
Take care of yourself and get yrself to pulmonary rehab ASAP - trust me, it's worth it
Sandy, so glad that you are doing so well on oxygen at night. I am very glad for you. Seems like things are going well! I personally want to avoid oxygen as long as possible. But f it comes to that I will remember your story!
Thanks.