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Oximeter anyone?

(73 Posts)
Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 10:50:12

Has anyone with Asthma or COPD bought an oximeter. If so, which one and have you found it useful? Thanks.

Marydoll Tue 12-May-20 11:33:54

I am going to watch this thread with interest, I had never thought of buying one.

I have a number of lung conditions, but just monitor things with my peak flow monitor.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 11:37:49

Yes, me too, Marydoll but I have just read a medical article about how helpful they are, especially re Covid-19. A monitor will pick up one's low oxygen level before you really feel that bad

There are dozens on Amazon.

Marydoll Tue 12-May-20 11:49:57

It sounds a good idea.

A while ago, whilst having an angiogram, my oxygen levels, dropped very quickly, yet I didn't feel any different.
It was picked up immediately, because I had an oximeter on.
I will wait for the reviews, with interest.

Doodle Tue 12-May-20 11:54:22

The pulse oximetry measures oxygen levels in the blood and several articles recently have said they are useful in detecting when people need treatment for Covid 19. There are many articles on the subject. We bought one as DH is on the shielded list, has asthma, high blood pressure and occasionally gets really bad coughs which go on for a long time.
We bought ours from Amazon. The box just says it’s a finger pulse oximeter (Shenzhen Yimi life technology is on the paperwork inside but no identifying name on the outside of the box) It cost £39 about 3 weeks ago. It works really well and we are really pleased with it. Very easy to use and clear display. Didn’t come with batteries.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 12:05:41

Thanks Doodle. I want to order one today as I think they will be in demand.

Nortsat Tue 12-May-20 12:11:44

Good question Sparklefizz thank you. I will follow with interest.
I monitor my peak flow daily, but like others hadn’t thought of this.
If I purchase one, I will share some feedback, too

Doodle Tue 12-May-20 12:20:30

DH said there were many cheaper ones on Amazon at the time but not available for delivery for some time but as he wanted one quickly he went for the one on prime. I think there has been a rush on buying them due to the press exposure.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 12:23:17

Marydoll They are selling out very quickly or they are unavailable until the end of June. The one I had my eye on before posting on here has already changed their delivery date from this week to mid June.

So I have chosen one and ordered it and it will come tomorrow with Amazon Prime. I couldn't find your one, Doodle but hopefully the one I've picked will be ok. Thank you.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 12:24:17

Sorry, Doodle didn't see your latest post until I wrote mine above.

B9exchange Tue 12-May-20 13:48:14

We bought one for our trip to Machu Picchu (sorry!) and on getting to Cusco tried it out, DH's had gone down to 83 (normal should be 98 or above) and mine was an incredible 58!

I was breathless on exertion, very tired and a bit dizzy, but I thought with that level I should have expired! 48 hours later we were up to about 95, and okay thereafter.

So if either of us get it, we have the measuring device to hand. I think at one point the Ambulance service were considering popping them through letterboxes so people could self monitor.

Doodle Tue 12-May-20 14:52:19

sparklefizz I’m sure they are all similar in how they work. They are much in demand at the moment. I think it’s a useful gadget for those who have breathing difficulties of any kind. My DH has tested it out by walking up and down some steps (step ladder in doors, we are not going out ?) and it does drop a bit when he does that and then goes up again when he stops.
B9exchange you have made me very jealous. I have often looked at photos of Machi Picchu and thought of going there. It looks wonderful. Interesting what you wrote about the drop in your levels and then going back up again.

Marydoll Tue 12-May-20 15:03:21

We have just ordered one, I wish I had thought of it sooner. Thanks Sparklefizz.

dizzyblonde Tue 12-May-20 15:09:17

I have one and have used it during my recent covid infection. I don’t have any respiratory conditions but my sats dropped to 91% on exertion but quickly recovered to over 95% so I wasn’t overly concerned. They now maintain at a normal level regardless of what I do.
Sats in someone with COPD would be expected to be lower normally.

Daisymae Tue 12-May-20 15:31:06

Have had one for my DH for years because of various health issues. It has been useful and accurate. I think it was about £10 from Amazon. They are a lot more at the moment so I would definitely shop around.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 16:16:53

Marydoll Mine is coming tomorrow with Prime. It was a bit more than I wanted to pay but I didn't want to wait weeks for it as my asthma is not too good at the moment with the high pollen count.

LadyGracie Tue 12-May-20 16:17:56

I wish I’d had one recently when my DD had the virus and developed pneumonia, she’s been so ill.

PamelaJ1 Tue 12-May-20 16:20:11

I’d never heard of them until about half an hour ago when I read an article in the Times.

After reading all your comments I felt a little buzz and thought that I must get one.

Then, luckily, before I spent the money I remembered that in this house it would probably be a one week wonder a bit like that bloody thing that tells me how much energy we are using.

I think I bought a thermometer once but can’t remember using it. However I am prepared to change my mind so if you all buy one please come back in about 3months and give us all an update.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 16:27:11

LadyGracie I am so sorry to hear that. I hope she is recovering now. flowers

LadyGracie Tue 12-May-20 16:48:31

Sparklefizz thank you, yes she’s on the mend, a very long slow process, but getting there. It was very scary.

Marydoll Tue 12-May-20 17:00:17

An anxious time for you, LadyGracie.

Mine is coming at the end of the week, but I'm not holding my breath ?, I ordered thinning scissors weeks ago and they have disappeared into the Post Office black hole.

I'm quite short of breath at the moment, so another piece of info for my GP, if needed.

Sparklefizz Tue 12-May-20 17:16:45

LadyGracie What a scare for you. Thank goodness she is on the mend. I hope you are looking after yourself too. flowers for all of your family.

Oopsadaisy3 Tue 12-May-20 17:23:50

We have one, bought from Amazon, it’s a Hylogy one and the last time DH went to the Asthma nurse he took it with him to check it against the one they have at the surgery. The readings were the same on both.

LadyGracie Tue 12-May-20 17:29:46

It has been Marydoll look after yourself.

Yes Sparklefizz it’s been an awful time, worse for not knowing how and where she got it, she’d been so careful and hadn’t been out.

We’re all doing what Mr Drakeford here in Wales has told us and not going out.

phoenix Tue 12-May-20 17:38:39

Must admit, despite having COPD, it hadn't crossed my mind blush

Do you think I should consider getting one?