Low O2 but peak flow fine?

Chest and lungs
1

Hi,

This is the second time this has happened, and I still don't know what happens exactly when I get these symptoms. I feel shortness of breath all day long, but especially at night time/when I lie down. It doensn't feel like asthma (which I do have) because there is no wheezing. However I get a pressure on my upper chest/lower throat and find it very hard to get a deep breath. Just walking around the house will have me breathing very heavily. Using my peak flow I can see that I am at 600-650 (which is my usual), but using a pulse oximeter my oxygen is only 94-96%. Which is really confusing... does this mean that I am getting enough oxygen or not? As far as I know oxygen is not compromised in patients with asthma unless they are having a severe life-threatening attack (which I am not, as I am doing everyday tasks just fine). I also have acid reflux and have been very bloated and gassy lately, which could explain the shortness of breath, but the question still remains... why is my O2 so low? I recently started TRT so I am unsure if this is the cause.

2

Albert-

Believe it or not, if you have acid reflux, that is what is probably causing you problems. I've been struggling with this for months. You should see a gastro doc . Also, look up acid reflux diet guidelines and sleep on a wedge at night. I've been in hospital 3 times in last few months because of this. It has really been affecting my asthma/ breathing to the point where exercise I used to do has become very difficult. You have to get reflux under control....It only gets worse. I'm working on major dietary changes now myself.

3

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your reply. I have been to see a gastro, unfortunately he only rxed omeprazole 20mg once a day, which has now been upped to twice a day. I have been given a sheet with foods and acid reflux, but I believe I follow them- my diet is basically veg, rice, fish, oats and milk. I also taken OTC antiacids, so I don't know what else I can do really. Ironically, one of the common side effects of omeprazole is feeling bloated/gassy, which definately doesn't help!

4

Yeah, a lot of research shows that acid reflux meds actually can make condition worse. Do research on the interenet, i did. I am going to discontinue my meds when used up and just try to control with diet.

5

actually 94/96 is not that bad 

6

It's dropped to 92-94% now, which the nurse said is concerning (yet she didn't do anything about it when I mentioned it). 

7

mine dropped to 92 and stayed there for awhile even so I didn't feel bad. Did exercise since I hadn't for awhile my 02 improved it went up to 97