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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,114
Registered: ‎08-21-2014

My husband bought one because I have asthma. The weird thing is when I feel I'm having trouble breathing my number is the same as usual. My chest gets that itchy feeling and I cough and I know it's an allergy situation but my lungs feel tight. Anyone else notice this? 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,436
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

@Lali1   I was treated for asthma for years with no real relief from all the steroidal inhalers.  Every time I went to the ER even though my peak/flow meter and oxyen levels were normal, no one seemed to know why or care.  I finally went to an asthma specialist and found I have Vocal Chord Disfunction which differs from asthma in that I get air out so still can get air in but with tightening and slower breathes causing acid reflux which causes  coughing and often sinus drainage.  All the asthma meds were irritating my vocal more  rather than helping. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,114
Registered: ‎08-21-2014

Re: Pulse Oximeter

[ Edited ]

@Pook Thank you for your response. I have been to specialists most of my life but haven't lately because my insurance makes me jump through hoops to do so. ETA I odnKt know how I managed to quote myself 🤨

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Hi @Lali1 

 

Oxygen Saturation is not always low when one's breathing seems hard. I have checked mine while ice skating when my HR is at my max, which I limit to 150bpm. My Max is a lower number, because with my 2 heart attacks, a big portion of my lower heart no longer functions.

 

I always stop to check this, and I am breathing hard, but my Saturation is sometimes at 98%, which is pretty high. Then when sitting at home with my resting HR in the low 40's, my Saturation is 92-94%, and I have no issue breathing.

 

I find this varies at different times both at my resting HR and/or at my Max HR. Why? Neither my Cardiologist or my Pulmonologist know exactly why this is, but they have told me, it is not uncommon.

 

My Oximeter helped detect my 2nd heart attack, along with my BP Monitor. My right arm had zero BP, and my Oxygen Saturation was 40%. That is when I called 911 as my wife was working in 2007.

 

Can't give you anything other than my experiences and what my 2 doctors have told me.

 

 

 

hckynut đźŹ’

hckynut(john)
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Posts: 3,114
Registered: ‎08-21-2014

@hckynut 
 Thank you for the info. I don't have nay heart issue as of yet. But with Type 1 diabetes I may eventually. It's good to know the little doo dad does some good. My doctor approved and said she was happy we got it with all that is going on. We check out temp every once in awhile too. Mine never goes above 97.4. But my oxygen level is always 98 or 99. 

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Posts: 3,114
Registered: ‎08-21-2014

@Lali1 wrote:

@hckynut 
 Thank you for the info. I don't have nay heart issue as of yet. But with Type 1 diabetes I may eventually. It's good to know the little doo dad does some good. My doctor approved and said she was happy we got it with all that is going on. We check out temp every once in awhile too. Mine never goes above 97.4. But my oxygen level is always 98 or 99. 


@hckynut Sorry for the message all jumbled up. I quoted you but removed your comment because you mentioned you don't care for the quoting thing. It obviously used your font but was too crowded. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@Lali1 

 

Your post wasn't jumbled to me. It looked just fine. As for "quoting"? I just don't like the quoting of a quote that turns into a half dozen quotes. I lose track of who quoted who and who the person writing the post, is even addressing with their comment.

 

Now what I just typed? That is jumbled.  

=^..^=

 

hckynut đźŹ’

hckynut(john)
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Posts: 9,123
Registered: ‎03-30-2014

Confirm with your doctor what your personal normal should be based on your medications.  It will help to interpret the readings.