oxygen use

[ej0820]

Hey all!
I have just a couple questions about using O2...
1) Is there a way to tell if you're not on an adequate amount of O2 therapy, aside from just getting more out of breath? I'm currently only on 2L of O2 at night and don't really notice a difference in my days or nights. To tell the truth, I didn't really realize I needed O2 at night in the first place b/c I assumed the degree of exhaustion I had was "normal". I never woke up feeling like I was suffocating, I didn't really get headaches, etc. I was just always tired, even after a long night's sleep. I don't even remember what made me ask my doc about it in the first place. I'm noticing that I'm still pretty tired. All the time.
2) How do you know if you need O2 all the time, or just with activity? I work and go to school and probably do way more than I should. I'm always tired (as I said) and seemingly more and more out of breath. I notice it more when I'm at work or school though, walking around and such. Could I just need it when walking around, or would I possibly just need it all the time from now on?
3) Is there a possibility of needing different amounts of O2 at different times? I mean, could I possibly need to use 3L at night and only 2L during the day, or does one just require a constant level of O2 therapy regardless?
I know a lot of these questions are ones my doc should be answering, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear many of you tell me the answers are all relative to my PFTs (in the 30s), lifestyle, age, etc. etc. but I would also just like to hear your experiences with O2 therapy and what you went through when you had to increase it.
 
Thanks!

 

[ej0820]

Hey all!
I have just a couple questions about using O2...
1) Is there a way to tell if you're not on an adequate amount of O2 therapy, aside from just getting more out of breath? I'm currently only on 2L of O2 at night and don't really notice a difference in my days or nights. To tell the truth, I didn't really realize I needed O2 at night in the first place b/c I assumed the degree of exhaustion I had was "normal". I never woke up feeling like I was suffocating, I didn't really get headaches, etc. I was just always tired, even after a long night's sleep. I don't even remember what made me ask my doc about it in the first place. I'm noticing that I'm still pretty tired. All the time.
2) How do you know if you need O2 all the time, or just with activity? I work and go to school and probably do way more than I should. I'm always tired (as I said) and seemingly more and more out of breath. I notice it more when I'm at work or school though, walking around and such. Could I just need it when walking around, or would I possibly just need it all the time from now on?
3) Is there a possibility of needing different amounts of O2 at different times? I mean, could I possibly need to use 3L at night and only 2L during the day, or does one just require a constant level of O2 therapy regardless?
I know a lot of these questions are ones my doc should be answering, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear many of you tell me the answers are all relative to my PFTs (in the 30s), lifestyle, age, etc. etc. but I would also just like to hear your experiences with O2 therapy and what you went through when you had to increase it.

Thanks!

 

[ej0820]

<p>Hey all!
<p>I have just a couple questions about using O2...
<p>1) Is there a way to tell if you're not on an adequate amount of O2 therapy, aside from just getting more out of breath? I'm currently only on 2L of O2 at night and don't really notice a difference in my days or nights. To tell the truth, I didn't really realize I needed O2 at night in the first place b/c I assumed the degree of exhaustion I had was "normal". I never woke up feeling like I was suffocating, I didn't really get headaches, etc. I was just always tired, even after a long night's sleep. I don't even remember what made me ask my doc about it in the first place. I'm noticing that I'm still pretty tired. All the time.
<p>2) How do you know if you need O2 all the time, or just with activity? I work and go to school and probably do way more than I should. I'm always tired (as I said) and seemingly more and more out of breath. I notice it more when I'm at work or school though, walking around and such. Could I just need it when walking around, or would I possibly just need it all the time from now on?
<p>3) Is there a possibility of needing different amounts of O2 at different times? I mean, could I possibly need to use 3L at night and only 2L during the day, or does one just require a constant level of O2 therapy regardless?
<p>I know a lot of these questions are ones my doc should be answering, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear many of you tell me the answers are all relative to my PFTs (in the 30s), lifestyle, age, etc. etc. but I would also just like to hear your experiences with O2 therapy and what you went through when you had to increase it.
<p>
<p>Thanks!

 

[mag6125]

I originally started on 2L at night and like you I didn't know I needed it until a hospital admission, I was also told to use 6L with exertion(I was doing pulmonary rehab at the time) eventually my 6 min walk tests and o2 sats at doc appts had my doc telling me to wear it all the time. I really only used it when I felt like I needed it, usually when sick or walking a lot. Eventually as I felt myself getting out of breath or tired I turned it up to 3L and I've kept it there because it makes me feel better, whether I actually need that much or not. Having a walk test done will be a good indicator of need during activity and it doesn't hurt to just turn it up some and see how you feel.

 

[mag6125]

I originally started on 2L at night and like you I didn't know I needed it until a hospital admission, I was also told to use 6L with exertion(I was doing pulmonary rehab at the time) eventually my 6 min walk tests and o2 sats at doc appts had my doc telling me to wear it all the time. I really only used it when I felt like I needed it, usually when sick or walking a lot. Eventually as I felt myself getting out of breath or tired I turned it up to 3L and I've kept it there because it makes me feel better, whether I actually need that much or not. Having a walk test done will be a good indicator of need during activity and it doesn't hurt to just turn it up some and see how you feel.

 

[mag6125]

I originally started on 2L at night and like you I didn't know I needed it until a hospital admission, I was also told to use 6L with exertion(I was doing pulmonary rehab at the time) eventually my 6 min walk tests and o2 sats at doc appts had my doc telling me to wear it all the time. I really only used it when I felt like I needed it, usually when sick or walking a lot. Eventually as I felt myself getting out of breath or tired I turned it up to 3L and I've kept it there because it makes me feel better, whether I actually need that much or not. Having a walk test done will be a good indicator of need during activity and it doesn't hurt to just turn it up some and see how you feel.

 

[MikeInMT]

if you can afford one a pulseoximeteronline it tells you your o2 levels, my dr wants me to keep my o2 above 94, which means about 4 liters at night and 7 when i doing activity. sucks cause most insurance don't cover them, but u can get a decent one for around 40$
hope i helped some

 

[MikeInMT]

if you can afford one a pulseoximeteronline it tells you your o2 levels, my dr wants me to keep my o2 above 94, which means about 4 liters at night and 7 when i doing activity. sucks cause most insurance don't cover them, but u can get a decent one for around 40$
hope i helped some

 

[MikeInMT]

if you can afford one a pulseoximeteronline it tells you your o2 levels, my dr wants me to keep my o2 above 94, which means about 4 liters at night and 7 when i doing activity. sucks cause most insurance don't cover them, but u can get a decent one for around 40$
<br />hope i helped some

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Erin, there are good pulse oximeters and there are some that are not so accurate. If you want to buy one, get it from a reputable medical supply place and not ebay!

It would be a good idea to do some sleep studies, to see exactly what your saturations are at night. A good oximeter can record your numbers all night and print it out so your doc can see if there are any dips. When we sleep our breathing slows and becomes more shallow. This is perfectly normal - what you need for O2 at night depends on your lung function. You could need less at night because your body demands are not as high, but if your lungs are having problems exchanging gas you will need to keep the flow up. If you can scrounge a recording oximeter from the home care company, do a bunch of nights on it to see if there is a pattern. One test can be bad or a good fluke, so several nights of readings will give you a better idea of what is going on.

To tell if you are getting enough in the daytime an oximeter helps, but look in a mirror at your lips and the tissue in your mouth. If it is slightly grey or blue you are cyanotic and not getting enough. If your heart rate and respiratory rate are up when you are out and about and out of breath, it is trying to compensate for not enough oxygen getting to vital organs. Rather than 2L during the day and 3L at night, you could need the 3 in the daytime with exertion and 2 at night.

It can be quite subjective, depending on how YOU feel. Your doctor needs to keep informed of how you are feeling on current settings and adjust as necessary.

Where do you live? I see MikeInMT uses more than you, but it is affected by your elevation above sea level. The air is thinner in Denver than in San Francisco, and oxygen needs will be different.

Ask if you have more questions!

j

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Erin, there are good pulse oximeters and there are some that are not so accurate. If you want to buy one, get it from a reputable medical supply place and not ebay!

It would be a good idea to do some sleep studies, to see exactly what your saturations are at night. A good oximeter can record your numbers all night and print it out so your doc can see if there are any dips. When we sleep our breathing slows and becomes more shallow. This is perfectly normal - what you need for O2 at night depends on your lung function. You could need less at night because your body demands are not as high, but if your lungs are having problems exchanging gas you will need to keep the flow up. If you can scrounge a recording oximeter from the home care company, do a bunch of nights on it to see if there is a pattern. One test can be bad or a good fluke, so several nights of readings will give you a better idea of what is going on.

To tell if you are getting enough in the daytime an oximeter helps, but look in a mirror at your lips and the tissue in your mouth. If it is slightly grey or blue you are cyanotic and not getting enough. If your heart rate and respiratory rate are up when you are out and about and out of breath, it is trying to compensate for not enough oxygen getting to vital organs. Rather than 2L during the day and 3L at night, you could need the 3 in the daytime with exertion and 2 at night.

It can be quite subjective, depending on how YOU feel. Your doctor needs to keep informed of how you are feeling on current settings and adjust as necessary.

Where do you live? I see MikeInMT uses more than you, but it is affected by your elevation above sea level. The air is thinner in Denver than in San Francisco, and oxygen needs will be different.

Ask if you have more questions!

j

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Erin, there are good pulse oximeters and there are some that are not so accurate. If you want to buy one, get it from a reputable medical supply place and not ebay!
<br />
<br />It would be a good idea to do some sleep studies, to see exactly what your saturations are at night. A good oximeter can record your numbers all night and print it out so your doc can see if there are any dips. When we sleep our breathing slows and becomes more shallow. This is perfectly normal - what you need for O2 at night depends on your lung function. You could need less at night because your body demands are not as high, but if your lungs are having problems exchanging gas you will need to keep the flow up. If you can scrounge a recording oximeter from the home care company, do a bunch of nights on it to see if there is a pattern. One test can be bad or a good fluke, so several nights of readings will give you a better idea of what is going on.
<br />
<br />To tell if you are getting enough in the daytime an oximeter helps, but look in a mirror at your lips and the tissue in your mouth. If it is slightly grey or blue you are cyanotic and not getting enough. If your heart rate and respiratory rate are up when you are out and about and out of breath, it is trying to compensate for not enough oxygen getting to vital organs. Rather than 2L during the day and 3L at night, you could need the 3 in the daytime with exertion and 2 at night.
<br />
<br />It can be quite subjective, depending on how YOU feel. Your doctor needs to keep informed of how you are feeling on current settings and adjust as necessary.
<br />
<br />Where do you live? I see MikeInMT uses more than you, but it is affected by your elevation above sea level. The air is thinner in Denver than in San Francisco, and oxygen needs will be different.
<br />
<br />Ask if you have more questions!
<br />
<br />j

 

[carly23]

Mike where can you get one?..i wear oxygen myself at night..and during the day im holdng at 92..id like to have one of those number readers like the nurses and Respiratory people have..i was told it was expensive though to get?..itd be awesome if i could get one from a store though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> let me know! Please lol

 

[carly23]

Mike where can you get one?..i wear oxygen myself at night..and during the day im holdng at 92..id like to have one of those number readers like the nurses and Respiratory people have..i was told it was expensive though to get?..itd be awesome if i could get one from a store though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> let me know! Please lol

 

[carly23]

Mike where can you get one?..i wear oxygen myself at night..and during the day im holdng at 92..id like to have one of those number readers like the nurses and Respiratory people have..i was told it was expensive though to get?..itd be awesome if i could get one from a store though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> let me know! Please lol