Had a 6min walk test today..oxygen dropd to 85

[carly23]

So i was hoping for a better result today but not giving up hope <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ..i had a 6min walk test and my heart rate got up to 163 and oxygen sat was 85..my fev has increasd by 1% wich i knw is better then going any lower but after being on home iv's for 3 weeks i was hoping for a better result..maybe ill see that next clinic apointment <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

So anyways i know ill be needing portable oxygen but i dont want the continuous flow an have to have 6-7 tanks just so i can go out for the day..i want the type that gives oxygen when you breathe in..i know back when i had another test done like this i used the tank that only gave oxygen when you breathed in and it brought my oxygen up and heart rate was better..so its not like it doesnt help..will i be able to say what i want or does it dependon the doctor?..id think it should be on what the patient prefers ..my doctor will
Call me in the morning to discuss my test today an results ..i didnt get to see her today because it was just a pft apointment and she had clinic today so didnt get a chance to look at my test..just needing some information on the oxygen tank stuff..and is my heart rate to high?..or is that normal for walking i wasnt sure whats normal <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Also one thing i been wanting to know is there a way diabetic testing strips can be covered?..i have cigna medicare an medicaid..but im not classified as i have diabetes..but am
Required to check my sugars 2 hours after each meal! But these strips are expensive for me anyway :-/ ..also i hear insulin can improve lung function?..im wandering if i should bring this up to my doctor thoughts an opinions are apreciated! Thankyou

 

[carly23]

So i was hoping for a better result today but not giving up hope <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ..i had a 6min walk test and my heart rate got up to 163 and oxygen sat was 85..my fev has increasd by 1% wich i knw is better then going any lower but after being on home iv's for 3 weeks i was hoping for a better result..maybe ill see that next clinic apointment <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

So anyways i know ill be needing portable oxygen but i dont want the continuous flow an have to have 6-7 tanks just so i can go out for the day..i want the type that gives oxygen when you breathe in..i know back when i had another test done like this i used the tank that only gave oxygen when you breathed in and it brought my oxygen up and heart rate was better..so its not like it doesnt help..will i be able to say what i want or does it dependon the doctor?..id think it should be on what the patient prefers ..my doctor will
Call me in the morning to discuss my test today an results ..i didnt get to see her today because it was just a pft apointment and she had clinic today so didnt get a chance to look at my test..just needing some information on the oxygen tank stuff..and is my heart rate to high?..or is that normal for walking i wasnt sure whats normal <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Also one thing i been wanting to know is there a way diabetic testing strips can be covered?..i have cigna medicare an medicaid..but im not classified as i have diabetes..but am
Required to check my sugars 2 hours after each meal! But these strips are expensive for me anyway :-/ ..also i hear insulin can improve lung function?..im wandering if i should bring this up to my doctor thoughts an opinions are apreciated! Thankyou

 

[JustDucky]

To get your strips covered your doc should change your dx to diabetes..I agree, those strips are very expensive! Mine are covered because my doctor stated to the supply company that I have diabetes, so I get plenty of strips, lancets and even free monitors because of that..
As far as your O2 goes, you do have choices....once O2 delivery is set up with the whichever company, you can ask for the O2 type of your choice (usually). The doctor then has to submit the order and then you have it...I personally have the regular D tanks when I go out and a concentrator for when I am home. I used to have the demand type (what you described as pulse delivery, every time you breathe, a puff of O2 is given) but didn't do so well on that because I tend to be a mouth breather. For this to work well, you need to breathe through your nose so that it senses each breath properly and you are given O2 every time. The good thing is that the tanks are very small if you can tolerate this method of delivery.
There is also liquid O2, the O2 company delivers the set up and you fill your portables from that as well. The good thing, it works even if power is out and the portable tends to last for hours. I am sure there are people on this board who have liquid oxygen who could better educate you than I could. But just know, you have choices!
Regarding your heart rate.....I am sure it was higher than normal because of the low O2 levels...your heart was working that much harder. I am sure that with O2 use, that will improve.

Hope this helps,
Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[JustDucky]

To get your strips covered your doc should change your dx to diabetes..I agree, those strips are very expensive! Mine are covered because my doctor stated to the supply company that I have diabetes, so I get plenty of strips, lancets and even free monitors because of that..
As far as your O2 goes, you do have choices....once O2 delivery is set up with the whichever company, you can ask for the O2 type of your choice (usually). The doctor then has to submit the order and then you have it...I personally have the regular D tanks when I go out and a concentrator for when I am home. I used to have the demand type (what you described as pulse delivery, every time you breathe, a puff of O2 is given) but didn't do so well on that because I tend to be a mouth breather. For this to work well, you need to breathe through your nose so that it senses each breath properly and you are given O2 every time. The good thing is that the tanks are very small if you can tolerate this method of delivery.
There is also liquid O2, the O2 company delivers the set up and you fill your portables from that as well. The good thing, it works even if power is out and the portable tends to last for hours. I am sure there are people on this board who have liquid oxygen who could better educate you than I could. But just know, you have choices!
Regarding your heart rate.....I am sure it was higher than normal because of the low O2 levels...your heart was working that much harder. I am sure that with O2 use, that will improve.

Hope this helps,
Jenn 40 w/CF