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Health

Use of an OXIMETER

(31 Posts)
POGS Fri 14-Aug-20 11:55:46

Can I make a General comment re having an OXIMETER which measures your oxygen levels in your home please.

I thoroughly recommend having your own OXIMETER to not only check your health but for the ability of passing on information to emergency /health services in the case of an emergency or feeling unwell.

There is nothing simpler to use and yet it gives priceless information as to the state of your health when feeling unwell.

Thank you.

Marydoll Sun 16-Aug-20 09:03:21

Franbern, I have been advised that a reading of 93 can be expected for someone (me) with lung conditions. It's when it constantly remains lower, that it's best to seek help.

Unfortunately, unless you check you can be unaware of a drop.
I was having an angiogram, when the consultant said my levels were causing concern. I was totally unaware, they had dropped, I didn't feel any different. ?

Luckygirl Sun 16-Aug-20 10:25:41

I have one; and was glad I did last week when I went into AF. When I rang the doc I was able to tell her my pulse rate was veering between 46 and 168; and sats below 80% - I felt very unwell and could hardly stand up.

It stopped spontaneously thank goodness; but it was useful to have accurate info for the doc so she could make a judgement as to what to do and the pattern of my AF bouts.

InnocentBystander Sun 16-Aug-20 16:25:30

We have had one for a while but my wife has difficulty getting it to register anything. She is very slim - thin really - has permanently cold hands, and is virtually impossible to draw blood from for testing. Since two courses of chemotherapy she's had peripheral neuropathy, so that may be relevant.
I gather that warming the hands and using the pulse-ox instrument in a darkened room (it uses light transmission to measure) is likely to improve matters.

Luckygirl Sun 16-Aug-20 18:22:27

I had a similar problem and rang the manufacturers who told me to use my thumb - which does work.

InnocentBystander Mon 17-Aug-20 11:40:31

Thanks Luckygirl, we'll try that.