Low oxygen levels will rob you of your eye sight, short term memory, and your energy. Eventually low oxygen levels will weaken your heart muscle. Read that last sentence again. It is that important.
So tell me, why is it that online resources for heart failure, and for that matter, chronic lung disease all but ignore low oxygen levels?
If you know of any “how low is too low” information online, please let us know where you found it. Heart Failure Solutions is eager to work with any like minded sites to spread awareness about just how effective supplemental oxygen is.
So how low IS too low?
7 Facts to Remember About Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels
1. When oxygen saturation levels fall below 92%, the pressure of the oxygen in your blood is too low to penetrate the walls of the red blood cells. It is a matter of gas laws.
2. Your insurance company may not pay for oxygen unless your levels fall to 88% oxygen saturation. This has nothing to do with what is best for you, it is just the point at which your insurance is willing to pay.
3. Every time your oxygen level falls below 92% saturation the cells of your body are oxygen starved.
4. When you fail to meet your oxygen needs, every organ in your body suffers the consequences.
5. Low oxygen levels may be present only at certain times.
- when retaining excessive fluid
- when airways are reacting to irritants
- with respiratory illness
- sleep apnea
- about 3:00am when you wake gasping for air
- with activity when your heart muscle has become weak, though isn’t technically “congestive heart failure”….. yet
6. Recurring low oxygen levels are harmful and should be treated with supplemental oxygen.
7. The problem is that your doctor may not witness your oxygen levels at 88%, and if he doesn’t see that reading on an oxygen meter (oximeter), then most insurance companies will not pay for it, and therefore doctors don’t order it.
Low oxygen levels are definitely something to worry about!
If you feel you may be experiencing low oxygen levels be sure to ask your doctor to check your pulse oximetry reading.
Symptoms are:
- shortness of breath/ difficulty breathing/ dyspnea
- extreme fatigue
- chest tightness
- mental confusion
- tingling fingers
- water retention (especially feet/ ankles)
- chronic cough
If you are experiencing oxygen saturations below 92% now, waiting for your doctor to witness it below 88% and order oxygen is equal to sitting around waiting to get worse.
Whether you have a diagnosed oxygen deficit that you are aware of, or if you think you might have low oxygen levels, it is essential that you take action to identify and meet your oxygen need. This may require that you purchase or borrow a portable pulse oximeter. (oxygen meter) Your caregivers and loved ones can also be on the look out for blue coloring around your lips. Need an Oximeter?
If your budget doesn’t allow for plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, it is better to use your observation skills and ask for your health care provider’s help. (Your local paramedics may have a pulse ox and be happy to assist you if you stop by your nearest fire station.)
Using supplemental oxygen is one action you can take immediately to nurture yourself and slow the drain on your vitality. It’s often uncomfortable and inconvenient, but it doesn’t require that you do anything other than use it!
Once you get adequate oxygen in your blood, you may still suffer NON functional oxygen and the harsh consequences of oxygen starvation!
The only way to address this complicated issue is better breathing.
Better breathing takes focused-consistent effort over time.
It is hard to accept using supplemental oxygen.
Does home oxygen use make you feel old and embarrassed?
Remember, it’s a valuable tool to nurture you while you heal.
If you want an action plan to work toward more energy and freedom …
Click on the blue button ->
Many blessings,
Carrie Tucker, RCP
“The Life Breath Coach”
Heart Failure Solutions
PS– Low Blood Oxygen Levels are an IMMEDIATE Matter of LIFE and DEATH!
You really owe it to yourself to take this seriously.
Your insurance may cover home oxygen. Certainly you should look into that, but get your home oxygen unit if you need to purchase it yourself.
It will benefit you and anyone you love to use your Magic Home Oxygen Box to supplement your oxygen while you sleep or exercise!
The only reason to use caution with low flow home oxygen is with END STAGE lung disease, when oxygen may replace carbon dioxide as your drive to breathe.
If you suffer from end stage lung disease, consult your doctor for home oxygen use.
If end stage lung disease doesn’t pertain to you … And you are really ready to look at what you can do to HEAL …
Click on the pink button and look into home oxygen ->
Attend To Your Home Oxygen Needs
PPS- Remember everyday:
-
Relax and Release tension
-
Exhale Slowly
-
Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life
170 Comments
Leave a Reply
I no longer need a heart transplant!
Thanks to The Life Breath Club and the awesome information in "Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book" I have got my life back!
I've increased my ejection fraction by over 10% AND the pressures in my right heart has improved to much that I no longer need a heart transplant!
I have so much more energy and I know that I will continue to heal and get stronger!
Thanks to The Life Breath Club, Life Is Good Again! My wife and I are so grateful to Carrie Tucker, The Life Breath Coach!
Sincerely, Chris Downs (Heart Failure Survivor!)
How low must one’s O2 sat be for brain injury to occur? In Sept. 2010, I had a severe asthma attack (status asthmaticus) which lead to respiratory failure, intubation, mechanical ventilation and 2 weeks in the hospital — one week of which I was in a drug-induced coma on a ventilator. At any rate, I have no recall of any of this (until I was weaned off of the drugs and the ventilator), though I do have copies of the EMS and hospital reports. The paramedics measured my O2 sat at 53%. I believe it was up to somewhere around 77% when I got to the hospital. Thing is, I was home alone when the attack hit, and I don’t know how long I was in this “53% state” before my husband came home and found me. To this day, my short-term memory is terrible, I search for words when trying to verbalize my thoughts, I have twitches and have been extremely depressed since this happened.
Could I have brain damage?
Aloha Julia,
Your body is capable of healing miracles.
Never give up.
Sacred Breathing is the place to start. Get serious and see just how much healing you can manage!
http://HeartFailureSolutions.com/sacredbreath
Be well!
Carrie
The Life Breath Coach
I recently spent 4 days in the hospital with low oxygen levels. they are not a extremely low as I have seen on this site but needless to say they are low. When I get up and walk a few feet my levels drop. I have had no real dianisis as of yet except for Hypoxia. I was told I may have had viral pnemonia for several months. they did the camera down into my lung and said they werre really irraitated and took a biopsy, still waiting for results. they did test my heart and said it was puimping correctly and was healthy but I have constant chest pains, I do still work full time and am confused on what to do with, the coughing is crazy. I do have chronic back pain and take opiate pain meds everyday. A few weeks ago I almost passed out at work when i suspect my O2 levels really dropped I do get light headed at times and feel disoriented and sometimes get the feeling of falling backwards….any suggestions?
Just an update on my situation…back from pulmanary doctor today….she has added more predisone and gonna xray again in about 2 weeks, so far no improvment. O2 levels drop with activity but not with rest. she informs me that I have fibrosis in my lungs, did not specify what type. If the lungs do not heat in a couple of weeks she wants to do an Open Lung Biopsy, honestly a little scared right now, can some folks tell me anything I need to know.
Aloha Ronald,
I feel for you. You are going through a lot right now.
Check your inbox for my offer for a free strategy session to help you create a plan of action to support healing.
Many blessings,
Carrie
The Life Breath Coach
If your doctor is talking about open chest lung biopsy – check to see if they can do a closed biopsy instead – they did mine by endoscopic ultrasound. At the time – 2006 we only had one trained doctor to do it in the area and he was working through my gastrointestinal specialist – I know you area talking lungs. They were able to go down the throat and punch through with fine needle aspiration and get 5 good samples of enlarged lymph nodes and a granuloma (result – sarcoidosis). At the time they thought we were looking at cancer due to numerous shadows on ct scan. At the time – Mayo Clinic was the only ones doing these as the procedure was brand new. A week or so after mine – a friend of a friend in Atlanta GA had to have open chest biopsy – they didn’t even know about the new procedure and the patient had a very tough time and extended recovery. Mine was done outpatient with sedation, went home the same day after a couple of hours and no side effects or other issues – don’t remember anything at all. Here is a little info from Mayo website: New diagnostic and therapeutic applications -Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was originally developed to detect pancreatic tumors in the earliest, most treatable stages. Today, EUS remains the primary method for evaluating and staging pancreatic cancer and has emerged as a valuable tool for screening people at high risk of the disease. In the past few years, however, the role of EUS has expanded well beyond its use in diagnostic imaging.
One of the most important and widely used new applications is EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (EUS-FNA). EUS-guided biopsies allow minimally invasive sampling of tissue from tumors and lymph nodes not easily accessible by other methods.
According to Michael B. Wallace, M.D., chair of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, EUS-FNA has not only significantly changed the staging and management of gastrointestinal tumors but also the mediastinal staging of lung cancer.
“Although EUS is thought of as a tool for assessing cancers of the digestive system, it is now arguably one of the preferred methods for the preoperative assessment of nonsmall cell lung cancer, replacing invasive procedures such as mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy,” he says.
A definitive trial performed by the Florida group showed that a combination of EUS-FNA and endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA) can provide nearly complete staging of the mediastum and is significantly better than previously available methods.
Aloha Plipscomb,
Thanks for sharing.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I am 38 and have been diagnosed with intersticial lung disease. I recently bought a pulse ox finger meter. When getting out of tub I drop to 65 and at rest stay at about87-89. I have a host of other medical problems. Should I be concerned and be on oxygen all the time? I was diagnosed 9 years ago and last year had pneumonia with a o2 of 76 and was put in hospital. Please help. I have afib, thyroid prob,stroke, RA, lupus, and raynauds syndrome . I am a walking medical problem.
Aloha Brandy,
You are so young. I’ve offered you a strategy session, check your inbox.
Be well,
Carrie
Brandy:
Your Interstitial Lung Disease is called “Pulmonary Fibrosis” and is derived from the RA, as is mine. I have had JRA since I was 18 months old and have fought it all the way. Anything under 92 on your oximeter and you should be on oxygen. I know medicare won’t pay for it unless you are 88 or less, so you are in the danger line at 65 and should wear your oxygen when you are exerting yourself. I have lived with PF for about 12 years now and have been on oxygen 24/7 for at least 6-7 of those years, and worked until 2009. Went from full time to part time when I had to have a concentrator in the office beside my desk. But I was determined not to let it get me down, but now I am really suffering with balance problems and short term memory problems also. Rather than make this too long, here is the website for PF.
http://www.coalitiionforpf.org They send out a quarterly publication that is very informative. Of course they want donations for research, which I can not afford to do and wish I could. If there is anything else I can tell you let me know. Like I said, I am not a doctor, but I am probably as well versed as most of them in this area.
I have small tumors all over both sides of my lungs. Dr. put me on oxygen 4.0 leaders 24/7. Will i be on oxygen the rest of my life. Dr. says there is no cure for these tumors. Chemo (I refuse) will only slow it down.
Will appreciate youir response. Sincerely, Marie Gray
Aloha Marie,
I tried to email you with a generous offer for a strategy session as well as my book as a gift, but your email address says failed permanently. I’m not sure what to think of that.
You’ll have to enter a correct email address to take advantage of my offer.
Many blessings,
Carrie
My dad has Copd! He was diagnosed approx 15 years ago and has just went down hill fast in the last 2.5 years! O2 sat tonight has ranged from 60 to 97% it averages 84-87 most days and he is able to talk and eat without too much trouble! I am his primary care giver as my mom died 6 months ago. I had emergency surgery few days ago and another sibling cared for him while I was in hospital since I am back at his home he is worse sats lower unable to eat or drink much can’t talk a lot at one time. How low is his o2 able to get before he loses consciousness he never has and doesn’t get confused when it is in 60s he is very stubborn and will not go to dr because I am a nurse he thinks I can just take care of him. His dr tells us to wait til he is confused and take him to ER but with sat of 60 he is NOT confused! He is on 4lpm
Aloha Teresa,
Your dad is living with some “end of the road” issues. I don’t need to alarm you I’m sure. You already know what he is dealing with.
I STILL think it is absurd to refrain from taking him to the ER until he is confused.
Read the above article again! Low oxygen levels are lethal! The only thing you can do is address his needs. Is he utilizing Sacred Breathing to learn how to improve his bio-chemistry?
Give him enough oxygen to meet his needs now! And teach him what he needs to know to improve his carbon dioxide which will allow him to actually utilize more oxygen!
That is all you can do. Trust that you are doing what you need to do. Offer him options and be open, but ultimately the choice is his. You can remind him that there is much he can do to limit his suffering. I see people do it all the time!
Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I hav a question. Is a person responsive with an oxygen saturation level of 43%?
Aloha Mry,
If a persons oxygen saturation levels are truly 43%, then no they wouldn’t be responsive.
However, your body gets stingy with oxygen to your extremities, so your hands and feet may be much lower than your head and torso. Your body is always trying to do what is best for you.
Let me know if there is anymore I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
We definitely have an exception to your statement with regard to a SAT level of 43% and responsiveness. We have a 4 yos who is dxed with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome and has had open heart twice. He also has a repaired left pulmonary artery.
We have been dealing with transient drops in his SAT level for @ 6 months now. He remains responsive and even sometimes active as low as 38%. We assume this is because his body compensates – not thrives, but compensates! We are concerned about the damage.
His resting SAT level will sometimes be as high as 84% but is usually in the 70′s.
I have pressed to see how low he can go before we are in risk of him having a stroke – no answer!
Cardiology has deferred him to pulmonolgy who then wanted to know why we brought him there!!! Now he is to be admitted so they can document what is occurring and try to come up with a plan.
I plan on scouring through your site to see what is here.
Aloha Marantha,
Childhood congenital heart issues are a whole other matter all together.
No “exception” to the Sat level facts stated above, but yes, their little bodies are pushed to extremes just to survive.
Good luck to you and yours. I hope surgery proves to be very helpful.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Dear Carrie
I am caregiver for my husband and he has severe copd with cor pulmonale and his oxygen levels were at 85 and now are up to between 92- 95 .he is supposed to be on 24/7 but for some reason is doing well without for 8-10 hrs at a time .his leve1 2 weeks ago in drs office was 30 before blow test and 38 after treatment.
My question to you is do steroid treatments bring oxygen levels stable
Dear Rhonda,
No absolutely not. Steroids do not make oxygen level stable.
I’d say that you are not seeing the damage that is done while your husband is off oxygen, but he is experiencing it just the same.
Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book will help you understand why he wants to begin his action plan with meeting his oxygen needs.
Many blessings,
Carrie
can you comment on why his o2 sats fluctuate and what to expect.there are times when he feels great and then out of breath.
I have so many questions the Drs.just shrug and won’t answer
Dear Rhonda,
There is a lot going on, but suffice to say that fluctuating O2 sats is largely due to his weak heart muscle.
Sacred Breathing will support him bio-chemically and well oxygenated activity is a must.
Good luck to you both,
Carrie
Can you please comment on oxygen levels and thyroid issues? A local doctor advertises oxygen therapy for thyroid issues – particularly for those who have plenty of T3 in their blood (so thyroid tests look great) but have hypothyroid symptoms – which typically indicate that the T3 is not getting to the tissue level. Do you think extra oxygen would help get T3 to the tissue level? (that’s my understanding anyway). Thanks for any comments you could share! : )
Aloha Christine,
I’m not a scientist, but oxygen is a very versatile hormone. It’s bound to help in many ways. Your understanding makes sense to me too.
Sacred Breathing is great support for oxygen and thyroid issues.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi, I have just been told by my heart doctor that I have low levels of oxygen and then they delivered the oxygen machine. I also have hypotropiccardiomyopathy and just recently have been hospitalized the atrial fibulation. My doctor never explained anything to me about why I needed the oxygen. I just was checking out your site and have found some information about it, thank you. I have been having blood in both nostrils with clotting. I purchased the AYR solution they suggested and it didn’t really seem to help that much. I had problems with my nose before where I had severe bleeding that would not stop. I am worried that this might start something like that again. Is there any chance it could start bleeding again? Also is this oxygen thing something I have to live with? I have an appointment with my doctor next week and plan on asking him then. I am 67 years old and am still pretty active with caring for a 90 year old woman for 35 hours a week. Also I am feeling extremely tired. Thank you for any advise you can give me. Justine Poplaski
Justine I am so stoked to speak with you very soon.
Your Personal Sacred Breathing Program will definitely get you headed toward better health pronto.
Talk to you soon for your Sacred Breathing Strategy Session!
Many blessings,
Carrie
I have had asthma all my life. I have had all types of inhalers. I am 51 years old now and told my doctor 2 years ago “I stop breathing when I sleep” and had a sleep study. I was told mild sleep apnea no need for anything. During the last 2+ years I had memory loss, fatigue, unable to concentrate and puffy ankles, forgetfulness, vision deteriorating, hearing loss, chest pains, unexplained weight gain and would wake up with powerful headaches 210/100 when my blood pressure during the day would normally be 120/70. I told my doctor I know I quit breathing when I sleep. They never mentioned to me my on my sleep study my oxygen dropped down to 88%, I recently got a copy. I was even sent back to the pulmonologist and again was told no need for any treatment, I was thinking I needed a CPAP machine. When I went back to my PCP she had me checked with a pulse ox overnight in home and my O2 sat went down to 76 for 16 minutes being the worst reading. I was then started on oxygen. I now am having a sleep apnea test without oxygen and am fearful of dropping so low again. I feel like I have multi organ failure for so long and my doctor was so negligent. I make so may mistakes at work and am lucky to still have my job due to forgetfulness. Will my brain function improve now that I am on oxygen or is damage permanent? I always wear it to sleep. Thanks for listenming, Terri
Aloha Terri,
The terrible advice you received is very common. I’s so sorry you are suffering.
If you’d like to heal, use oxygen 24/7 for starters.
Next give attention to your breathing. Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book will give you action plans to take back your health!
Be well!
Many blessings,
Carrie
i have copd and on air 24\7 ,i play golf and bowl,how ever my oxygen drops to the low 70s,and i have seen it in the 60s,after reading some of your comments i”m very worried
jim nisted
Oxygen is what keeps every aspect of our body alive- all it takes is seconds/minutes of an area not receiving oxygen for it to die.. That means any area from a part of your skin (necrosis) to a part of your brain (stroke) or heart (heart attack).. COPD patients are a little different, your body adapts to CO2 and too much oxygen can actually harm you..
Aloha Courtney,
I’m glad you spoke up with your comment.
I’d like to take the opportunity to help many of our readers understand the subject your comment brings up.
“COPD patients are a little different, your body adapts to CO2 and too much oxygen can actually harm you..”
This statement is somewhat untrue.
Let me explain why.
COPD patients are NO different than everyone else in that if their blood is NOT at least 92% saturated with oxygen they will be oxygen starved … just like everyone else.
“your body adapts to CO2 and too much oxygen can actually harm you”
The change you are referring to is the switch that happens with END STAGE COPD when your drive to breathe changes from your CO2 to your O2. If you have too much oxygen at this point, then of course you have no drive to breathe.
HOWEVER! Not all COPD patients are END STAGE!!!!
Not all COPD patients are what is called “CO2 retainers”!
Please hear this distinction! O2 is JUST as important for people who are end stage as everyone else. It is just necessary to use care not to give too much.
ONLY A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of people with COPD are CO2 Retainers! I have seen SO much harm done to COPD patients with the misinformation that too much is harmful for them. They are fearful of using as much as it takes to keep their blood well saturated, so they fail to meet their needs and SUFFER the consequences!
Be safe!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Aloha Jim,
Good reason to be worried for sure.
However, worry won’t help you!
The thing is, Jim, that you can be in trouble even when your oxygen level is fine.
If you are losing too much carbon dioxide, you are not GETTING the oxygen that is in your blood!
Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book will teach you how to get back to the normal-healing-breathing you were born with!
Be well!
Many blessings,
Carrie
My 3 year old daughter was hospitalized in Oct 2011 for pneumonia. She had low o2 stats, rapid breathing, etc.. She spent 5 days in ICU at a Children’s Hospital receiving oxygen, steroids, neb treatments, antibiotics, fluids. Since then there have been 4 occasions that she has gotten sick and her o2 level drops and she requires neb treatments and oral steroids to get better. Let me add, prior to the pneumonia she was a healthy happy girl!
My family doc referred us to a pediatric pulmonologist, but I really feel like he didn’t care! He prescribed my daughter meds for reflux?! When I asked if she could possibly have asthma, his response was “asthma is just a clinical diagnosis” He told me he didn’t think my daughters issue was lung related.
We have a follow up appt with this pulmonologist in 2 weeks. Do you have any advice for me? Right questions to ask, tests to request?
Thanks so much!
Concerned Momma
Nicole H´s last [type] ..Did You Know That Stages of Dying From Heart Failure Can Happen Without You Even Noticing?
Aloha Concerned Momma,
You might be shocked to hear this, but the doc might be right.
At 3 years old I’d suspect if she is refluxing she may have a food sensitivity or allergy.
Get her gut moving again! I have such a heart to advocate for children!
If you’d like a free strategy session email me at strategy.heartfailuresolutions @ gmail.com
I’d be happy to give you a 30 minute strategy session to prepare you for your doctor visit.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi Carrie – My mom has a long standing ephisema from cigarrette smoking, EPOC, and was diagnosed with Lung Cancer 10 years ago that is steady. In the last month, she had an O2 breakdown and was taken to the hospital and hospitalized. Since she left, he O2 readings have dropped to 65% level even with Oxygen at 5lpm….. Obviously she is sleepy and tired all the time… anything to be done or is she now entering a critical phase with her respiratory problem??? Any suggestions???
Aloha Alfonso,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s suffering.
She is end stage at this point, and perhaps the lung cancer is obstructing ventilation more as time goes on. Her oxygen saturation is very low. If she is comforted by the increased oxygen you can give with a mask that is one option. The most you can give through the nose is 6 liters. She may be irritated by the mask, if so then I wouldn’t force it upon her. Perhaps some additional oxygen blowing by her nose and mouth will help.
The important thing now is keeping her just as comfortable as possible.
My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Many blessings,
Carrie
My mom has COPD and was put on 2 lpm home oxygen approx 2 years ago. In Nov she was dx with CHF when 02 sats dropped to 70′s and BP 50/30. She had CTA scan which showed blockages and scheduled for Angio. During angio- they realized she had 100% blockage. Triple bypass was done and she ended up doing excellent after surgery for first 3 days and then went into respiratory failure. 7 weeks late (pulm rehab hospital for 3 of these weeks) she came home on 3 lpm. Doc stated her 02 should read btwn 87-92. but for no apparent reason her SATs should drop to a high of low 80s and she is winded just talking.
We have PT/OT and Nurse who comes in a couple times a week- but her Sats are usually mid to upper 80′s. My question is what could cause her 02 sat to drop on occasion and is this to be expected in someone with COPD. How low is too low? I turn her up to 3.5 lpm on occasion – but would like to know if that is harmful in the long run? Thank you for your assistance.
Aloha Melodi,
This is a lot to take in, isn’t it?
“My question is what could cause her 02 sat to drop on occasion and is this to be expected in someone with COPD?”
“How low is too low?”
“I turn her up to 3.5 lpm on occasion – but would like to know if that is harmful in the long run?”
Let me know if there is more I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi my name is Jessica and this is in regards to my 18 yr old daughter (yes 18yrs old), she has been dealing with health issues for the last year and half. Long story short a year ago last December (a week after turning 17) she was diagnosed with Scoliosis and the day after her frequent rapid heart rates turned into a full blown episode that brought her to the ER. She was diagnosed with Sinus Tachycardia. Before this she had been dealing with some strange symptoms and had been seeing the family dr and had a total weight loss of about 20lbs (down to just below 90). The ER dr was more worried about the weight and her having an eating disorder which we had already proved not to be true previously and did not focus on the heart issue and said it was due to an allergy to flexeral given over the weekend for muscle spasms in her back by a clinic dr. (she took one pill two days before this episode)….
She went down hill from there, a few weeks later, diagnosed with two clogged sinus cavities, then about 2 months later, Vit D deficiency, then about 2 months later Costochondritis then possible Hypermobility then by October after suspecting Juvenile Fibromyalgia my Neurologist finally confirmed. She continued with the heart episodes and was seen 5 different specialists before it was all said and done, Cardiologist, Pediatric Endocrinolosgist, Pediatric Neurologist, Rheumotologist, My Neurologist and even went to a Psychiatrist. My Neuro even suspected POTS syndrome (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) based on her symptoms, everything she was diagnosed with and so on. She has had more test than I care to admit allowing my child being tested for and the same for Dr and ER visits but the POTS diagnosis fits.
Well yesterday she was back in the ER and after a few days of her heart trying to jump out of her chest and the pains, difficculty breathing, shortness of breath, light headedness and so on (she has been off of her heart meds due to a tilt table test she is getting on Tuesday). Of course while in the ER her heart calms down but the pains and stuff continue and her oxygen level kept going down into the 80′s and one time dropped into the low 70″s. It has never done that before? One thing with POTS syndrome, it will give the effects of Congestive Heart Failure.
I am just curious, the nurses or dr never brought up the issue with the oxygen level or the one time that it dropped to the low 70”s and I was just wondering with somone at the age of 18 how typical is this. I was going to have her call her dr today and let her know and we will make sure the cardiologist knows? I know as many times as she has been in the ER, it has never been low like that and I was wondering how concerned we need to be????? (obviously I’m concerned but after being told numerous times that her heart is fine and the aches and pains are nothing to worry about, you just don’t know what is serious or what was just a one time thing or just a symptom of something).
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks
Aloha Jessica,
Have you had her checked by a cardiologist who specializes in congenital heart defects?
I suspect your daughter may have issues they are not seeing. This could be due to spinal alignment as well. When you have pinched nerves and a curving spine, things can really get crazy.
I had scoliosis as a child, and had it 99% corrected with chiropractic help. Atlas orthogonal chiropractic is very gentle and effective if you can find a good doctor.
Attention to her breathing will go a long way to remedy absolutely every symptom you mentioned.
“Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book” is a valuable healing tool. Click on the link and check out the information you and your daughter should know about breathing.
Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book
Let me know if there is anymore I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Thanks for your response Carrie, we just pulled her records from the hospital from the last year and a half and I see from her initial visit from Dec 2010 when they diagnosed her with Sinus Tachycardia per EKG her oxygen levels wer bouncing from the mid 90′s to mid 70′s and they never questioned it? I do see that being a cause of Sinus Tach and feel that being a better cause than one pill she took a few days before the episode (plus she was having these episodes before taking that pill, just not that bad). I also have the report from her holter monitor from a couple of days later, it was a 24 hr one and it says from her journal that she had a variety of activities and symptoms recorded were fluttering, rapid HB, lightheaded, pain in heart, chest pain. Heart rate was ranging from 59-160 and average of 91. She showed slight Sinus Bradycardia that was present at times, One PAC (Rare premature ventricular contraction), One PVC (Rare premature ventricular contraction). It said there is no correlation between her symptoms and her heart rhythm. I didn’t know what the PAC, PVC’s were so when I looked and they said not to worry about those in healthy people, I had to question that because my daughter is not healthy???
She was seen twice by a Cardiologist, he looked at all the testing that the hospital did and the testing that our regular dr did and said that the Sinus tachycardia was doing what it needed to do and her heart is fine? She was having Panic attacks and needed to go to a Psychiatrists, so I took her to one. He said she has normal anxiety for someone who was going through this and put her on Enderol to slow her heart down and said to get back to the Cardiologist and have him see what was going on. We did and he said that he could do further testing but she was at such a fragile state he felt that doing any testing would hurt her and that he didn’t see anything wrong and that we misunderstood what the Psychiatrist said and that it was “all in her head”. We never went back…
Now that I have this new info and once we see the the new Cardiologist again (he’s also an Electophysiologist) I will bring this up? Her tilt table test was cancelled so we are waiting for a reschedule.
She had her MRI’s of the upper and lower back and nothing showed up causing any reason for the pain in the back or leg. No reason for the numbness in the legs either. Our doctor did say there was a minor change in her Scoliosis but not a lot. Her Vitamin D deficiency is at a Moderate level, that could be causing some of the pain, going through her records, I noticed when that drops her flares are usually up with the Fibro and I am assuming with the POTS syndrome. I am definitly concerned with the low oxygen level and now that I can prove she had those low levels back when this started back in 2010, I know she has been suffering with this the whole time and no one has caught it?
Aloha Jessica,
I want to make sure you understand what I’m saying. A congenital heart defect would be something she was born with. Perhaps a pediatric cardiologist? I’m not sure if you will find one in your area, but ask about “congenital heart defect” expertise.
Now short of congenital heart defect, the symptoms you describe will not be remedied by drugging them. All the testing can’t amount to much because there is nothing to cut out and drugging is not going to be effective, as a matter of fact they will cause harm in the long run.
Now chiropractic care is another story. Many people are not open to chiropractic care. Is this uncomfortable for you? Did you see my comment about my scoliosis being 99% corrected with chiropractic care?
I was in my early 30s and the time and I suffered a very long time before I finally got relief. As I approach 50 I am extremely grateful that I got help. I certainly wouldn’t be the vital passionate person I am today without chiropractic care.
As far as her cardiac irritability, please check out “Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book”. Learning how to better manage carbon dioxide by cultivating breath awareness will calm her fussy heart and reduce her pain amazingly! YES! with breathing!
Click on the link and at least read about the danger of extreme carbon dioxide loss. It is truly alarming and I’m sure has everything to do with what is going on with your daughter.
Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book
Please let me know if there is anymore I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
My mother suffer from severe breathing problems and won’t go to the doctor. She has relied heavily on Primatene mist inhalers and now that they are off the market. A friend is giving her albuterol. A friend loaned me a portable oximeter and her level just after walking from her car into the house was 65% w/ heart rate 160′s. Her resting reading was 78-79% w/heart rate 128. How can I convince her how dangerous this is? 2/13/2012
Aloha Jill,
Tell her that a Respiratory Therapist who has 3 decades of experience says she has heart failure and if she doesn’t meet her oxygen needs (for starters) SHE WILL DIE!
Or worse, she will continue to deteriorate til she is bed ridden and an even bigger burden to her family. She is frightened! But denial makes everything a whole lot worse!
Good luck to you and your family, Jill. It is so hard to advocate for someone who won’t advocate for themselves and who is not asking for help,
Many blessings,
Carrie
1st time I saw your site I found it interesting I haVE BHAD ALL THE SYSTEM OF A COLD FOR AT LEAST 2 1/2yEARS FINALLY WENT TO THE er AND WQAS ADMITTED SPENT 11 DAYS IN HOSP 6 DAYS IN ICU had a venticaler stuck down my throat had a bosp of right lung taken with not much luck ( it was sent all over the country) their discharge said idiotaphic pulmonary fibrosis S/P Reso failure , afib had afib for years I am /was a sguare dance fanatic but now?? just received oxygen as it was recorded ats low as 79 after walking up steps twice I didn,t realiz that was a big deal
Aloha Louis,
Bummer that you didn’t realize how harmful it was until the harm was done!
That’s the reason I am so passionate about getting you information that will help you heal!
Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book is your road map back to health!
Many blessings,
Carrie
my husband had a cardiac ablation in Nov and Dr says it didn’t work also he has copd.My question to you is could the ablation bring his oxygen levels back up to above 92 when they were always below 90
Rhonda
Aloha Rhonda,
This is only my opinion, but no surgical procedure will improve your oxygen levels. As a matter of fact, initially it will decrease your oxygen levels.
Check out “Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book” and “The Life Breath Club”. Your husbands health depends on what he is willing to do to help himself.
Be well,
Carrie
reading this testm. is very help full and inform. have u ever heard of a pat. after 10 years 15 icu visits of 5+ days each for resp failure.while being treated for asmadic condition. Miss a lad 99% blockage have a mi while coughing in hospital for asthma? it seams thouhgh asthma was primary cause of , sorthness of breath ,coughing, fatigue and 02 levels in toilet, My heart was not also getting or returning 02 to other organs becuase of 99 % blockage of art. in heart. Thank god i was at the right place at right time and did not die at home. Why do pulm docs see this coralation? before its to late? I am only 45 years old 190 pounds 5’8″prior to 35 was perfect health, now astmha, diabetes type 2, heart condition one stent, high blood pressure. Seems to me that all was a result o low 02 from the beginning of adult on set asthma at 35. what do you think?
Aloha Mike,
Asthma is an issue of insufficient carbon dioxide. The consequences can be very serious.
Join The Life Breath Club and discover your amazing ability to heal!
Many blessings,
Carrie
thank you for your toughts and i will continue to presue a healthty life and do as instructed by my docotors . If it comes down to what works and i have to pay for it my self, my doctors will be consulted and i will survive. with or with out tnem. I would eat mud! if it would get results. God bless you and thx for the info.
My lung doctor made me wait an entire year for oxygen. Even though he did catch me at 88 on the oximeter the day I left the hospital. It was an awful year, I would go down to 85 in the grocery store. He kept telling me I didn’t need it. Even telling me I had a thing about oxygen. In front of the nurse, I snapped back, “Yes I do have a thing about oxygen, I have been using it to live on since 1945!” After a year, I was tested in his office and that time I made it a point to schedule just before I used my inhalers instead of right after!! I don’t know what I was thinking to have gone in at my best before. But, I have highs and lows throughout the day. Better to be tested at your worst, not your best. He has me walk up and down his halls and tests me under exertion for the purpose of Certificate of Medical Necessity. It angers me to have to keep qualifying. Medicare should know that advanced Emphysema does NOT get better. So, I have to go a little hypoxic to prove something to them. That is uncomfortable and makes me feel panic. I have a fev1 of anywhere from 31 to 34 last year. But it feels worse this time, will know soon.
Aloha Anna,
I know exactly what you are going through! It drives me crazy. Your care should be about what is best for you.
When you manage your carbon dioxide better I’m sure you will feel better. Check out what is going on with The Life Breath Club!
Be well,
Carrie
i just had surgery 5 days ago. I use a CPap at night but couldnt use it since I had Gastric by-pass done. On my third day in the hospital my pulse ox wdropped to 50. I had violent chills before this happened. Dr put warmer pads under armpits and waited as I came to. What happened?
hi – really interested in this site as my husband has just had a frighteening do – SATs went to 67 at home – 999 but he too had the extensive shivering. Waht is a cpap – my husband has sleep apnea and i think this robs the blood of oxygen too – we are waiting to see the specialist as he has copd – mild we were told.
Aloha magsd,
CPAP is equipment to treat sleep apnea.
You’ll need a sleep study to get it.
Very serious condition! Get the care you need!
Be well,
Carrie
Aloha Patty,
The trauma of that type of surgery is a lot to recover from. I hope all is well with you now.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I have a oximeter and oxygen concetratior and cpap. I am on 3 liters of oxygen 24/7, my oxygen level use to be 90% , now its inthe 70%-80&,WITHOUT using oxygen ,i have headaches, so sleepy,and my lips turn blue and at times black., also I itch… what info can u give me?
Aloha Ginger,
Get a sleep study done immediately.
Use CPAP if you need it when you sleep. Slow your breathing. It’s the most important thing you can do.
For weekly support to achieve Better Breathing become a Member of The Life Breath Club
Your situation is very serious. Get the care you need!
Be well,
Carrie
I’ve been seeing various doctors for the past year because of extreme fatigue and just a general feeling that something isn’t right. My legs and ankles are almost always swollen, I’m dizzy/lightheaded all the time, my arms feel heavy, my chest feels like there’s a tight band around it, and various other symptoms.
I had a treadmill stress test done which showed the front wall of my heart isn’t getting enough blood, but my cardio didn’t do any further testing and only prescribed ranexa which made me dizzier and my chest hurt more. A few months ago I had a upper gi endoscopy done and a good friend mine that has copd was there with me. She got very nervous when my pulse ox dropped when I talked to her. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but she said it wasn’t good.
I know I need to tell my doctor about this, but I am so tired of going in there and being told I’m just fat and I need to lose weight. While I don’t disagree with that, it’s just not that easy to go lose weight when you are dizzy and exhausted all the time. I’ve spent this weekend reading about all of this though and do plan to make the call on tuesday. Thank you so much for your helpful information
Jerry,
It’s far more likely that you’re suffering an anxiety/claustrophobia attack, or extremely high blood pressure. The “desire to bolt out the door” is the telling portion of your situation. When we experience low levels of oxygen, we become calm, sleepy.
Amazon.com now sells fingertip pulse oximeters for less than $30. If you’d like to see what your O2 sats are when those situations arise, it might be a good purchase.
Good luck, and try not to let those feelings keep you from being active/healthy!
Thanks for sharing Andy, though Jerry’s anxiety likely has more to do with CO2 than O2
Many blessings,
Carrie
I am finding, in closed and active spaces, a feeling of not getting enough oxygen. This is especially true in winter time (closed windows) in a crowed, very active yoga studio. It appears to effect concentration, body temperture, level of activity and desire to bolt out the door.
Heart stress echo test shows a healthy, normal heart.
With O2 levels being depleted, am I the just the “canary in the cage?”
Aloha Jerry,
Your description could also be a panic attack.
Monitor to isolate the cause of your anxiety. If it isn’t low oxygen, then oxygen functionality may have something to do with it. Join The Increase Your Oxygen Challenge to learn how to do that.
Many blessings,
Carrie
My o2 levels fall with any form of excertioan a 30 ft walk dropped my oxygen from 92 down to 84 at that point i sat back down , when i sleep my levels have fell below 70 i just recieved a cpap machine but my insurance will not cover any oxygen … do you know of any US resources that can help
Aloha David,
I have searched for resources for years. I have not found any assistance to help pay for equipment.
If you can get your doctor to cooperate you may be able to qualify for insurance payment of Oxygen by monitoring your normal daily activity (stairs etc) to see if your doctor can record your Oxygen Saturation via oximetry at 88%, thereby meeting the requirements for compensation.
Short of giving them the data they need, you will have to find the finances to purchase your own unit. If you can’t get a prescription from your doctor then you can buy an oxygen generator which does not require your doctor’s order to purchase the way that an oxygen concentrator does.
Let me know if you have any questions. I wish I could do more to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Thank you for the great information. My spouse (72 yrs old) has just been given a oxy machine and portable oxy, also is currently doing a sleep study tonight. It’s an overnight study, but out of concern I’ve watching the meter and her average level is 78…
YIkes Marcus!
Sounds like she needs her sleep apnea equipment sooner than later!
Good LORD! That is way too low! I’m so glad you are advocating for her!
Many blessings,
Carrie