79% blood oxygen

[sewell]

My body has adjusted to low blood oxygen I work full time and lead a reasonble life,is it best to leave well alone even though I am very breathless and must admit am getting a bit worse or try steroids as has been suggested.

[michaelgc]

I seriously have to question either your sat level or your reported quality of life. What are your spirometry test results? I have been dealing with emphysema for a few years now, and I know exactly how my body reacts to a sat level of 79%.

But to answer your question anyway: I agree with Sunny462, I didn't want to be restricted and dependent on meds and O2 therapy either, but once I started taking my Advair, Albuterol PRN, and supplemental O2 I feel SO much better.

Just for the record, here are some benchmarks for spO2 levels:
Supplemental O2 is indicated for < 88% saturation level.

* 95% - 99% - normal
* 91% - 94% - mild hypoxia
* 86% - 91% - moderate hypoxia
* 85% - 95% - zone of minimal sensory impairment
* 85% and lower - severe hypoxia
* 75% - 85% - zone of minimal mental impairment (you are HERE)
* 65% - 75% - zone of increasing sensory & mental decrement
* 55% - 65% - zone of potential collapse

[Sunny602]

With levels like that, your vital organs are being stressed and are not getting enough oxygen. Do the docs know why you are having such low oxygen levels? Have you considered using O2 and other treatments that might help your condition and symptoms. If you are short of breath then your body is telling you something. You would be amazed by how much your symptoms could be relieved with aggressive treatment that might include inhalers or nebulizers and even O2. I can tell you from personal experience that I hated the idea of going on O2 and needing those meds to simply breathe. I finally relented and used the O2 faithfully and felt better. My heart did not seem to beat so fast and I didn't feel like dying after going up stairs. Give it a try and see how you feel.

Sunny