What Does Low Oxygen Level Feel Like?
November 3, 2008 by Carrie Tucker
Filed under Asthma, Breath Building, COPD- Lung Disease, Diagnostics, Heart Failure, Oxygen, Relax, Sleep Apnea
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Low oxygen levels rob you of your health and can kill you. Will you feel it if you have a low oxygen level?
Many people who have dangerously low oxygen levels report “feeling just fine” despite their pale color and confusion.
Watch for the following signs:
- water retention (especially feet/ ankles)
- shortness of breath/ difficulty breathing
- extreme fatigue
- chest tightness
- mental confusion/ short-term-memory loss
- tingling fingers
- chronic cough
- blue coloring around lips
- waking at night gasping for breath
Your body requires 92% blood oxygen saturation or above. There is no getting around your oxygen requirement.
If you ignore your low oxygen level you will lose your eye sight, short term memory, and your strength and stamina. The progressive weakening of your heart muscle will contribute to your heart failure.
Whether you feel concerned or not, get to your doctor and have your oxygen levels checked if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
It does NOT matter whether you suffer with low oxygen levels, or you “feel fine” with low oxygen levels, YOUR HEALTH WILL BE LOST!
Your health is worth the inconvenience and the expense of home oxygen therapy!
Use oxygen WHEN you need it, and LIVE WELL!
Exercise With Oxygen can improve your health by improving your ability to hold and carry oxygen in your blood.
- use medical grade oxygen while exercising and notice a difference in your energy level and your measured oxygen saturation.
- 15 minutes a day could change your life
- use caution to assure that your blood oxygen level doesn’t fall below 95% while you are exercising
- use as much supplemental oxygen as you need to keep your oxygen level at 92% or above with sleeping, and all other activity
- consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program
- if the only activity you are capable of, is to walk to the toilet or take a shower, it is very important that you USE OXYGEN to prevent starving your vital organs of oxygen and slowing your rehabilitation
If you are a diagnosed CO2 retainer consult your doctor before increasing your oxygen level for any reason.
During normal daily activity it is best to use the least amount of oxygen possible to keep blood oxygen levels 92% or above at all times.
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Use oxygen if you need it, and do everything else you can to empower YOUR health and well being!
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Many blessings,
Carrie
PS– Remember everyday:
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Relax and Release tension
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Take deeep breaths
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Be active in a way that adds joy to your life
Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter
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I agree with your blog. Not only oxygenation good for the heart but for the brain and other organ systems. If the cells are not oxygenated properly the cells will die.
Oxygen therapy has been used as a therapy to relieve long term illness such as chronic fatigue and chronic yeast infections
Great information. That’s for keeping people informed about this important condition.
I was just diagnosed with nothing yet. I was having trouble with shortness of breath. I went to my doc who thought it ws heart issues. Did the angiogram and it is not heart. Following up with lung doc…he did an oximetry test overnight and found out my oxygen level dropped to 59-now I was not concerned but apparently he was. So I now sleep with oxygen. Then I had some lung function tests. They determined that my saturation level in my blood of oxygen is at 65%. I have to see him on 11/19 for results. I will bookmark your site. You are the first person I found who had at least some suggestions. Thanks for being out there.
Hello Doreen,
I am so glad you found your way to my blog.
First I want to stress that the only thing the angiogram ruled out was coronary artery disease. That does not mean that your heart gets a clean bill of health by any means.
Second you need to get a sleep study done immediately if it has not already been done. It sounds like you are having sleep apnea, and oxygen alone is probably NOT enough to treat it. Sleep apnea can cause sudden death! Do not delay getting the testing done, so that you can be set up with equipment called CPAP or BIPAP if needed.
Third sleep apnea AND low oxygen levels contribute to heart disease! Make sure you are not experiencing low oxygen levels during the day as well, especially with activity, when your body has a greater need for oxygen.
I hope that you mean your PO2 is 65. Oxygen saturation of 65% will not sustain life.
Please read every post in the categories: oxygen, and water retention. You need to find answers, your life depends on it.
If you would like personal help, you can schedule with me for coaching at 1-888-693-8437 ext. 03568195.
Good luck, I hope you get the help you need.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I have a sleep study test on 12/05..not sure whether it is Po2 or oxygen saturation..the lady who did the lung function testing is the one who told me there is not enough oxygen in my blood. I already know I get low oxygen during the day. After the angiogram and walking around to get functional again, my oxygen went from 90 to 84…so with exercise or exertion it gets lower. I just want answers…the lung doctor tomorrow..I will bring up the coronary disease. We shall see. Thanks for your suggestions.
Glad to see you back Doreen,
The reason I mention the low levels during the day, is that you NEED to treat the low level oxygen with supplemental oxygen, or you will suffer the consequences. Hope you are reading all the oxygen posts here. Can’t stress the need to prevent oxygen starvation enough!
Be well,
Many blessings,
Carrie
Thank you for info I have been sick since Nov 30 2008
This is the first time I have had an answer for what I am feeling. Sincerely, Randa
You are so welcome Randa. Read all the oxygen posts, and take a look in the water retention category.
My recent post, “If you wheeze, do you have asthma?” might help too.
Building health is well worth your focused effort. Enter your email in the box at the right, let’s keep in touch.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I’ve heard this before. My HMO said the same thing. But not our government. Under Federal MEDICARE guidelines USA’ers have to have a blood o2 saturation of 88 before MEDICARE will pay for supplemental oxygen.
The Oxygen suppliers in this country charge the government so much for supplemental oxygen North Americans have to risk heart disease or lose of our quality of life before getting oxygen.
Our government will pay for Viagra, but not oxygen. The protocol for portable supplemental oxygen is a 6 minute walk down the hall. It’s an obsolete test meant for Elders.
These days many who need oxygen are middle aged, like me. I can meander down a hall at 97%. But vacuuming, doing my laundry, shopping, not to mention hiking, swimming, riding a bike, having sex, I need oxygen.
Because I am poor and on MEDICARE, I am being denied the supplemental oxygen treatment that would ease my life with asbestosis.
And I don’t have access to Workers Comp because it’s hard to find a Pulmonologist with the guts diagnose me legally. Asbestosis & mesothelioma is the only terminal disease where you have to PROVE you were exposed to asbestos or be 2nd stage before receiving treatment. Having the disease is not enough.
It’s like having to prove you drank before you can get treatment for pancreatic cancer.
The largest population dying of mesothelioma are Spouses. They get it “second hand”, so the government only partially compensates them. You can bet the cancer doesn’t know it’s “second hand” – go figure.
Ban Asbestos – globaly
For more information on Asbestosis got to;
http://asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
Please help us Ban Asbestosis.
Aloha Citizen,
Can’t bring myself to call you Asbestosis Victim, though I am quite sure that you have been suffering the consequence of said victimization. I am glad you are still fighting for your rights!
Click on the “How Good Is Your Breathing” banner in the right side bar, it will take you to a site that has very useful resources for breath building, and is also a great source for oxygen machines. Not all home oxygen machines require a prescription, and this company says that it can be more affordable than going the medical route. Give them a try. Hope they can help.
You are lucky that at least you know you need oxygen and you are willing to use it. I have faith that you will be provided with the resources that you need, and will keep ya in my prayers.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I have had COPD for many years. Been on and off oxygen for about ten years. During the last few weeks my breathing has deteriorated significantly. Very little exertion and my sat level will drop into the mid 80s. when I sit and rest the level will come up to the mid 90s as expected. What concerns me is that I will still have difficulty breathing for a few minutes. This is a significant change. My breathing previously was directly related to the sat level. My question is: How can I have a high sat level and still have difficulty breathing?
Aloha William,
Your difficulty breathing is related to your carbon dioxide level. When your lungs can’t ventilate enough to get carbon dioxide out of your body, it starts to accumulate. It quickly raises your pH, and your body recognizes the crisis as life threatening. Your brain will tell you to breathe rapidly in order to lower that dangerous carbon dioxide level, until you are too exhausted to breathe anymore.
It is important that you manage your wheezing and work at keeping your lungs clear. As your disease progresses, it will be difficult to use inhalers effectively because you will be unable to take a deep enough breath to deposit the medication deep enough in your lungs to do you any good. Most of the medication will end up in your mouth and throat where it can’t help you.
A nebulizer is the best way to medicate yourself when your inhaler is not providing you with relief. When mucous plugging is a problem, it is a good idea to nebulize normal saline, which you can get from your local pharmacy without a prescription. Without over medicating yourself, you will be able to cough up obstructing mucous and apply soothing moisture to your irritated airways.
You can also find relief through diet. You want to avoid alcohol, sugar, coffee (wean don’t stop cold turkey, it could be harmful), and any other stimulating or irritating substances. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sip water all day every day.
Remember, your lungs exhale by way of elastic recoil, so it is important that you do all you can to keep your lungs stretchy. Avoid dehydration like the plague and use plenty of fatty acids everyday. Try cooking with olive oil, add it to green salad dressings, even put a tablespoon full in a glass of water and drink it. Soy lecithin is a good fatty acid, and can be added to fruit smoothies. (smoothies are a great way to maintain good nutrition even when it is difficult to eat) Omega 3 supplements will be a tremendous help to you.
Most importantly, if you don’t meet your oxygen needs ALL the time, your heart will become progressively weaker. When this occurs, your weak heart will be unable to pump normally. This will result in fluid backing up into your lungs. When this happens, no bronchodilator, from an inhaler or a nebulizer will help you. The fluid will interfere with the uptake of oxygen as well as the release of carbon dioxide. If you have fluid collecting at your ankles, you have fluid in your lungs.
The only thing you can do to prevent this from happening is to use home oxygen, and portable oxygen when you leave your house. Remember that you will probably not feel your low oxygen levels most of the time. Your carbon dioxide levels are probably what causes your significant distress. You have become used to low oxygen levels. LOW OXYGEN LEVELS CAUSE HARM EVERY TIME YOUR LEVEL FALLS BELOW 92%!
If you do not treat every occurrence of low oxygen level, your lung disease will cause trouble for your heart. Congestive Heart Failure is a progressive weakening of the heart muscle. Your low oxygen levels will effectively drain all your strength. You can not live well for long with low oxygen levels. You can do nothing about the past 10 years, but you can keep a close watch on your oxygen level from this day forward. Better yet, use oxygen 24/7! Low flow oxygen can not harm you, but those dips in your oxygen level will slowly but surely drain your batteries.
If you still have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. If you need personal coaching, you can schedule with me at 1-888-693-8437 ext. 03568195.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I just read the information that you gave william Griffin and it help me understand a little about a person low oxgen level My Mother was diagonsed with COPD about 4 years ago and we were able to get her oxygen level up to 97, but last year she has gone down, she fell and broke her arm and I had to put her in the Nursing Home. she is 87 years old. in November her oxygen level had got to 78 and they put her on a Machine to make her Breath in deep. she got better but only to 91 and 92. but the last week her oxygen level has been 88. and she is on oxygen all the time on 2. she is retaining some fluid and she does have a hard time breathing I know the Good lord will take care of her but I fill like her Heart is getting tired. when do I know she has had enough. we do have a living will. and she does not want to be put on the Machine to live. thanks I appreciate any help you can give me on Understanding what going on.
Aloha Karen,
You are in a very difficult place. My heart goes out to you. Just know that your love for your mother will bring the answers to your questions. Have peace just knowing that.
I sent you an email, please check your inbox.
Many blessings,
Carrie
Need help to make decision
While recovering from congestive heart failure, I was having trouble dozing off to sleep. As I would start to doze off, I would slow my breathing down to the point I would start gasping for air. Testing determined that my oxygen at that time could fall to 82%..but would go right up with a couple of big breaths. The problem would then recycle again as I started to doze off. At one point I went without sleep for three nights.
Now, the doctor has me on oxygen at night. However, I don’t appear to be having that problem, and would like to stop using the oxygen at night, however tests indicate that my oxygen levels can fall to 84% while I sleep. But if it doesn’t interfere with my sleeping, and my breathing just increases to immediatly offset the 84% by deeper breathing isn’t that enough to satisfy my bodily needs?
Should I argue the point with my doctor?
Aloha John,
I am so glad you asked that question.
Your heart muscle is weakened each and every time you allow your blood oxygen level to fall below 92%.
During the time your level is that low, you are CAUSING progression of your heart failure.
The ONLY way to help your heart muscle to gain strength is by meeting your oxygen needs ALL the time.
Specific nutritional therapy is also necessary if you want to live well with heart failure.
If you need coaching, you can reach me at 1-888-693-8437 ext. 03568195
Many blessings,
Carrie
Heart Failure Solutions
PS- Please don’t argue with your doctor about the oxygen. I am thrilled to hear that your doctor is advising you to use it.
However, I do have a concern that you may have sleep apnea. If you slow the rate you are breathing, you may need sleep apnea equipment.
Please be aware, your low oxygen issue is probably caused by the fluid that accumulates in your feet. When you are lying down, that fluid settles in your lungs and interferes with gas exchange. Getting enough oxygen and getting rid of your carbon dioxide are both effected adversely.
The reason you have fluid accumulating around your ankles is because of your tired heart.
Your tired heart needs oxygen!
Alright,
I bowed to the experts, and agreed to use “oxygen” while sleeping.
I was concerned that I didn’t know when I would need a refill.
The machine I have is called a concentrator.
When I inquired I was told ” Oh, it generates its own oxygen” I ask how it does that, and was told ” It just uses air from the room, filters it and pumps it out through a tube.
So, I am paying close to $40 / month to have the air from my room pumped through a tube to my nose.
Couldn’t I accomplish just as much by having a fan blowing on my face?
John
Aloha John,
Let me try to explain. Your concentrator is pulling air from the room. That part is correct. When the machine “filters” the air, it concentrates the oxygen in the bellows, and discharges the rest of the gases out the bottom or back of the machine.
The air you breathe is 21% oxygen. The machine accumulates (and “concentrates”) this small amount of oxygen to supplement the oxygen you are breathing. With 2 liters per minute, you are only getting around 26% at best.
This may be enough to keep the “pressure” of arterial oxygen high enough that it can actually penetrate the walls of the red blood cell and hitch it’s ride on the hemoglobin within the red blood cell. You need to use enough supplemental oxygen to meet your needs, and supplementing while exercising (getting activity) is a GREAT idea.
If you are wondering whether or not you need oxygen, buy a portable pulse oximeter. Your level needs to be 92% or greater at All times. You may not feel “bad”, but if you are experiencing untreated low oxygen levels during your waking hours, your night time use will not help. Even if your level appears to be alright, fluid retention is a good reason to use oxygen at night, and monitor closely during the day.
It is better to use low flow oxygen and not need it, than to harm yourself by depriving your body of the oxygen it needs.
I hope this answers your question. Nobody likes to use home oxygen, but it is one of the most powerful health building tools available to you!
Many blessings,
Carrie
I am sorry to be such a bother, but your answer confuses me. “It concentrates the oxygen to 21%” ?? That’s the percentage of oxygen in normal air if I remember correctly. To satisfy my curiosity I held an open flame to the tube outlet while the machine was on. The flame did not burn any higher. It flickered from the air flow, but did not burn any higher, yet they gave me a sign to put in my window stating ” oxygen in use” They told me not to smoke in the same room the machine was running. ( I don’t smoke ) Also if it exausts the other gases back into the room, isn’t that decreasing the oxygen % in the room air?
Let me define my problem.
When I was recovering from congestive heart failure, I was having trouble falling to sleep. As I would start to doze off my breathing would slow down and therefore my oxygen level would go down ( to as low as 84%) I would sense this, and start struggling for air and wake up. With a couple of deep breaths, the oxygen level would go back up to an acceptable level, and the cycle would start over.
I have always had good lung capacity. I used to ( and maybe still can) be able to hold my breath for four minutes. I was a long distanace under water swimmer, and diver. I am sure my oxygen levels went way below the acceptable level during this four minute time of holding my breath. This was years ago when I was a teenager ( I am now seventy-seven years old)
I am having trouble believing that a short term drop in the oxygen level is a cause for corrective action. I could understand if it fell and stayed there for some time, but just a matter of seconds and then back up with a couple of deep breaths is had for me to believe is cause for concern.
At rehab I had them put a pulse oximeter on me while exercising. When I started on the treadmill my oxygen level went down to 84% for the first few seconds, and then went up to 98& and was at 100% for most of the time. But because it went down for the first few seconds does that mean I shouldn’t participate in the rehab??
Why am I struggling with this? My budget is stretched to the limit (and beyond), and forty dollars a month for something I don’t need is very upsetting.
Thank you for being so patient, and if you want to end this with no comment I’ll understand.
John
Aloha John,
You are not a bother, and when I read my answer it WAS confusing. Please read the revised reply. I must have been tired, distracted, or both.
As far as the oxygen being flammable, the only instance I have personally heard of this being a problem is when patients have actually been smoking with the oxygen in their nose, and the tubing melted to their face.
Remember that you have sudden life threatening episodes of heart failure, and you also live with managed heart failure. This process involves a progressive weakening of the heart muscle, which causes your heart to be unable to pump adequately and blood backs up into your lungs. Since you can’t breathe through that fluid, your oxygen level drops.
Trying to survive, your body deposits fluid in your legs and ankles in an attempt to get it out of your lungs so that you can get air in. When you sleep at night, this fluid moves up into your lungs.
That’s why propping yourself up helps. The only way to really correct the problem is to strengthen your heart muscle so that your heart is strong enough to keep the fluid out of your lungs.
You CAN’T gain strength if you are starved for oxygen.
“At rehab I had them put a pulse oximeter on me while exercising. When I started on the treadmill my oxygen level went down to 84% for the first few seconds, and then went up to 98% and was at 100% for most of the time. But because it went down for the first few seconds does that mean I shouldn’t participate in the rehab??”
Without being able to actually assess you, I would guess that your oxygen level drops to 84% when you first get started because as you start to move, the demand on your heart increases. When your heart feels challenged to meet the demand, it gets stingy with your arms and legs. My guess is that the 84% is just a temporary decrease in the circulation to your fingers and is not correct. Especially since your oxygen level comes up so high for the rest of your exercise. Rehab is REALLY good for you, but you want to make sure that your oxygen level stays nice and high, at least 95% while you are exercising.
I am hoping that you use supplemental oxygen whenever you exercise. It will actually help you to hold onto oxygen longer and go a long way to helping your heart muscle gain strength quickly.
I don’t know what might be possible for you, but I’d like to suggest that you look into purchasing an oxygen GENERATOR, they are more cost effective than concentrators, and if you own it, you are done paying for it, but it will serve you for the rest of your life. If I can help you, I would like to do so, free of charge. Just let me know, and I will help you navigate the possibilities.
Nobody wants to pay for something they don’t need. I feel you need it, but would love to help you find a way to make it affordable so that you can put the cash into your food budget. Fresh fruits and veggies and supplements can really be helpful as well.
I used to contract work from a home oxygen company. I spoke with them about some of my struggling patients and they wanted to help. They said they have to charge the co-pay by law, but if I got the patient to write a note saying “I can not afford to pay the co-payment for my oxygen”, then they would keep it on file and stop billing them. Maybe this is a possibility for you as well. Can’t hurt to ask.
Many blessings,
Carrie
I’m a 40 year old male who exercises 6 days a week. I run about 20-30 miles each week. I also just came of coumadin for my second DVT in two years. Each time I went to give blood to while I was on coumadin they checked my vitals including oxygen saturation and it was always 90-93. The tech told it was probably because of the medication so I didn’t think anything of it. Well I broke my thumb playing softball and they took my vitals again. My oxygen saturation level was 92. The medic tested it three or four times and then got the doctor. He asked if I had any trouble breathing and I said no different than it has been the last couple years since my first DVT. He then said it was nothing to worry about. From what I see here it is something I should be concerned with.
Aloha Doug,
I’d say so. You should definitely have your oxygen level checked when you get up and walk.
At your age and your activity level, your oxygen level should not be that low. I urge you to check into a good oxygen generator, and Exercise WITH Oxygen!
If I can help just email me. alohakineinc at gmail
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi Carrie
My daughter is 4 years old can only stand when supported,crawl and speak 3 words.She was born by planned ceaser with no complications,but never reach her milestones.They cept on telling us to be patient.Whe had all test possible done ,scans,chromosome all normal.Her blood gasses was tested in 2006,O2 saturation 64%,pO2 4.4 kpa but the docter did nothing about it.I am always on the internet looking for anwers and picked up this is not ok at all.I had her test redone on Friday 10 July and again O2 sat 66%,pO2 4.6 kpa,atleast this time the lady who took the blood sample was also concerned.We are seeing a new pediatrician on Friday but I would like do be informed before meeting him.Can these low levels proberly since birth be the reason behind the slow brain development and luck of motor skills?She is a very happy little girl always smling and giving hugs but she is underweight and petite.
Thanks
William
Aloha William,
I sent you a personal email because I would really like to help anyway I can. This sounds like an issue with her heart. I saw a lot of congenital heart issues ignored for years when I worked in Pediatric Intensive Care.
You are doing all you can. Just make LOTS of noise until someone finds out what is wrong and treats your daughter appropriately at long last. What a heart breaking story! If she is a happy little girl and always smiling and giving hugs, I’d say you have a little fighter, and she will do well if you can just get her the help she needs! You are in my prayers! Please don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything I can do to help.
Many blessings,
Carrie
My mom is 70 years old and has a stint and she has heart disease. She has been very tired lately and she does not sleep at night, she will toss and turn all night. She went to her heart doctor and they did a breathing test on her and they sent out a oxygen tank for her to use 8 hours a day. Will she be ok now if she she using the oxygen for 8 hours a day or do I need to be very concerned or worried? She lives alone but my sister lives across the street from her. She takes high blood pressure medicine and takes diabetic pills 2 times a day for high sugar.
Aloha Teresa,
I am concerned that your mom may have sleep apnea! Has she had a sleep study done? This would require an over night stay at a sleep lab, but if she does have sleep apnea it is very dangerous and needs to be treated! Read a post about sleep apnea at this link: http://www.heartfailuresolutions.com/solutions/is-sleep-apnea-robbing-you-of-restful-sleep-and-destroying-your-health
If your mom’s oxygen level is low for any part of the 16 hours that she is NOT using oxygen, then the 8 hours of use will not prevent the damage that occurs when she is not using it. See this post for more information: http://www.heartfailuresolutions.com/oxygen/will-your-life-improve-if-you-use-oxygen-for-a-few-minutes-a-day
Home oxygen can be a valuable tool to strengthen the heart muscle, though it will not be very effective if low oxygen levels are going untreated. You can evaluate her needs with a portable pulse oximeter. You want to pay special attention to oxygen levels with activity of any kind, and while sleeping as there may be increased need at these times.
If you need more help, comment here, or give me a call on my Ether number that you’ll find at the right.
Many blessings,
Carrie
HI, I have been searching on the internet for some basic answers regarding the death of my father, just for my peace of mind.
It seems like you have the knowledge to help shed some light on it so I can have some closure.
He died September 14 of Wegeners Granulomatosis, specifically from it attacking his lungs, him having pulmonary hemorrage, edema, and ultimately ARDS, which is a rare complication of the disease. Days before we brought him to the ER (he was relapsing from the disease) he began sleeping much more, sounding confused occasionally, and acting generally very low energy. Apparently his SAT was 79% when he came into the ER.
I don’t know specifically what his arterial blood gas levels were then, but over the course of 3 days he was diagnosed with ARDS and put on a ventilator due to high acidity and very low ( I think around 50) o2 in his blood. they upped the ventilator to 100% and over the course of 7 days, we saw his SAT level go slowly down to around 77 the day he died of cardiac arrest. his blood o2 levels that day were testing around 40. the last week of his life, starting with all day before he was put on the ventilator he was unresponsive. he moved his head three times the day he died.
The main question I have is what SAT level does a person need to sustain brain activity/and what level to sustain any level of consciousness. we are hoping he could at least sense us or our touch to his hand, but we were never given any explanation about his lack of responsiveness the week on the ventilator. I assume it was due to the low o2, is this also your opinion? ANY insight is greatly appreciated. we just would like to know if there is any hope he was just too weak to move, and could tell we were there. Thanks, Rebecca
Aloha Rebecca,
My heart goes out to you! I can feel your pain as I read your words.
Low oxygen levels are usually not the cause of loss of consciousness. In order to ventilate someone with high pressures (which they would have had to do) it is usually necessary to keep them sedated. Otherwise it is just too hard to tolerate the ventilator.
My guess is that with the drugs to keep him comfortable and the weakness, he just could not move or communicate with you. I feel strongly that your father was probably “outside himself” the day that he died. Working in intensive care units for 12 years, I saw many instances of families receiving subtle signs that let their loved one was around even when they were away from the bedside. Many shared with me that these events increased after their loved one had passed on.
I have also had the pleasure of caring for people who lived through horrible illness, and talked about how much they could remember from the days they were drugged and ventilated. They always spoke of at least “feeling the Love” their families were surrounding them with.
One beautiful young lady even recovered from a coma after 8 months of unresponsiveness. She couldn’t remember a thing about her lost 8 months, but I assure you that the love I saw her family pour over her for those 8 months was DEFINITELY what brought her back to them.
You are suffering and I know that nothing I say can really ease your pain. I just want to point out, that if I can feel your love for your father through a few written words, surely he could feel it during his darkest days. It is a very powerful love, yes?
I know that nothing can help your grief but time, but rest assured that he is with you now. Your father will not be able to continue on his journey until he knows that you can cope with losing him. Talk to him now, I know he can hear you. Losing a loved one is hard. You must find a way to process your feelings or they will harm your health, and your father most definitely does not want that!
I will email you this response to make sure you get it. I am willing to start a weekly mastermind group for you and 6 others to talk about grief and loss if you are interested. It is important that you have support during this difficult time. Sometimes that support is hard to get from your family, who is also torn up with grief.
If you are interested in the support of a mastermind group, I am willing to do it for free for at least a month if we get at least 5 people to commit to weekly 1 hour calls. I am also willing to support you via email, so just reply to my email if I can offer you support in any way.
God bless you and your family.
Be well,
Carrie
PS- If there are any others out there needing this kind of support, please leave a comment here and I will contact you by email.
I am a breast cancer survivor. Unfortunately when it came back last time it was in my bronchial tube. The radiation has damaged the top part of both of my lungs. I kept thinking I would get better, but it seems to be getting worse. I’ve noticed that while trying to climb stairs or doing anything that involves getting up and down leaves my chest tight and me struggling to catch my breath. My oxygen sats usually stay around 91-95 until exertion then drop down to 86-88. My doctor wanted me on oxygen, but I’ve been stubborn about it. After reading your blog I am ready to accept that I do need the oxygen. I hope it will help me so I can start exercising again. This not being able to do much is driving me crazy.
Aloha Cindy,
Your comments inspire me to get more work done. Stay tuned for my Special Report.
You are worth it! Nurture yourself!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for a very informative website. I had been looking for info on the overnight pulse ox.
I am a 45 y.o. white female. I developed C.O.P.D. from the photographic chemicals (especially formaldehyde) that I inhaled as part of my job in the Air Force in the late 80’s.
I stopped using the medications they gave me, because they made my insomnia much worse. I have been totally disabled for 15 years. I recently had to get clearance from my PCP for wrist surgery.
I thought it would be in and out. The PCP ran another pulmonary function test that showed I have the lungs of a 95 y.o.. Because of the insomnia, she also ordered a overnight pulse ox. Since my level dropped as low as 75% she ordered oxygen while sleeping, and an “are you sleeping study”.
This is the first doctor I have been to in about 6 years (due to a change in insurance). She now has me on Advair, Spiriva, Proventil, Albuterol, and another inhaler everyday.
Can you tell me how low is too low on the pulse ox? They haven’t done the walking one yet, at complete rest it was 94%. My breathing is soo bad I haven’t even been able to do simple ADL, or even get out of the house. I get out so little now, they had to put me on 50,000 units of vitamin D pills.
Of course the Air Force years ago denied all liability even though my pulmonologist said it was caused by them. I would greatly appreciate any info you could provide in this matter.
Ciao,
Jan
I am using O2 equipment 24 x 7 and with it on my o2 still drops to 50’s or lower. I would like to exercise but when I do it drops drastically. Please advise me what I should do.
Aloha Francine Higer,
I am just seeing your comment on my blog.
My first reaction is to tell you to go to the emergency room. Better safe then sorry. But not seeing you or your color and nail bed color, I can’t tell you that you are safe.
You can’t always trust the equipment, so we use observation skills (and blood tests).
Do you have water around your ankle bone? Do you have a moist cough? Have you had a sleep apnea study done?
I am very concerned about your heart. Sleep apnea is VERY hard on your heart, so is carrying excess fluid (coughing up large amounts of clear mucous is a sure sign that there is fluid in your lungs, and you can NOT breathe through fluid!) . That needs to be evaluated before you do anything but deep breathing and range of motion. I will need more details to give you helpful information for your situation.
You can at least move every joint in your body to fullest range of motion and gain HUGE benefit without harming yourself in many cases, but you need to evaluate the needs of your heart asap. If it is not too taxing for you, range of motion activity will elevate your mood and reduce your stress. I hope you are able to implement it into your care plan.
Let me just say that “Exercise With Oxygen” can help you improve your health. In your case think of it as “Activity With Oxygen”. However, if you can’t increase the flow of oxygen enough to meet your needs while you move, no activity is going to help you. A high flow mask with a bag hanging from it would be your best bet, but you would have to be cleared by a doctor first, to be certain that you are not a Carbon Dioxide Retainer and your heart is strong enough BEFORE you and your doctor choose this mask for activity only.
The medical community can only offer you drugs and surgery (unless there is cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services in your area).
You will need to put together a plan for yourself if you want other choices. I know I can help you. It’s up to you to let me know how.
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Many blessings,
Carrie
Carrie,
I am a 36yo female. I just got home from a total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingoophorectomy. I was constantly told to take deep breaths every time my O2 was measured. It was typically between 90 to 92% prior to deep breaths and would slowly climb with deep breaths. Nothing in my chest as far as pneumonia/bronchitis, etc. I had another major surgery a year ago in which the same thing happened. Do I need to get checked by a pulmonologist to assess this? I do have daily headaches, fatigue, SOB, etc. I have felt I likely had sleep apnea for years and do awake occasionally gasping.
Aloha Lorrie,
You may have an issue with oxygenation, and the problem may have stemmed from the trauma and water retention caused by surgery. A workup by a Pulmonologist wouldn’t hurt.
Please do sign up to receive your invitation to my monthly tele-seminar. You will get your questions answered and come away with a plan for improving your health that you can live with!
http://www.heartfailuresolutions.com/healthysolutionsmastermind
I look forward to getting know you! Hear you on the call!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Carrie,
I have been disabled for 20 years and have had a number of diagnosis from CFS to seizures to ataxia. When I first became sick I went into hospital with pneumonia where they immediately gave me oxygen. Following my stay, I was so weak and absolutely unable to climb the stairs to my bedroom. During the years I have had a few good days, weeks but always relapsing back to problems with walking, balance, etc. A couple of years ago I had cancer surgery and before surgery my oxygen level was 89. I was told to take deep breaths until my oxygen level reached 95. When surgery was over the anesthesiologist told me that I was given oxygen during surgery and I should follow up with my doctor. My doctor took my oxygen level which was normal at the time and said everyone has various oxygen levels during the day. My symptoms are trouble breathing which can also be accompanied by myoclonus, trouble walking and in some cases my feet just give way from under me. Acetazolamide for some reason has helped me from waking up at night gasping for air. I do experience confusion during these episodes – also have great fatigue. Rest helps alot but I would so love to be on the right track to a diagnosis. I would love to have just a couple of good years to have my life back again. Appreciate any feedback. Tks. much.
Good Article. Thanks.
I have a product called Evolv that sends a signal to your cells to take in more oxygen. If interested please visit my website. rogers.evolv.com
Aloha Joan,
Life has been busy for me, sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier.
I’ll email you this response as well. I strongly advise that you find a doctor who understands how important oxygen is, and get a sleep study scheduled as soon as possible.
Let me just say that it is completely irresponsible for a health care worker to tell you to take deep breaths to raise your oximetry reading above the 89% reading that should have been recorded. Your doctor can’t become aware of your true oxygenation if he is not getting the whole picture. However, your doctor’s advice was that everyone has various oxygen levels during the day? Did your doctor get you up and walk you to see if one of your various levels happen to fall below 92%? His lack of concern REALLY concerns me. My advice is to find a new doctor, or make enough noise about oxygen that they finally give you the care you need!
Please do join me on Mondays to find Healthy Solutions For Life! I’ll be doing free tele-seminars every week for the next 3 months, I hope you can join me!
http://www.heartfailuresolutions.com/healthy-solutions-tele-seminars-and-masterminding
Many blessings,
Carrie