Should I get an oximeter?

[StormsDontLastForever]

Looking for peoples opinions please on if I should order an oximeter? Have seen a lot of chat on some threads on here about some. Can anyone recommend the best one? Ideally around £20 mark. Thanks

But if it was low enough to be dangerous, you would know something was very wrong anyway.

That's not true with Covid unfortunately - people are being found to have dangerously low O2 levels and to not be aware at all.

I think it's a good idea to have one.

Yes, I bought one because of the silent hypoxia mentioned above which means you feel better but actually have dangerously low oxygen levels. For £15 it is worth it for potentially giving you peace of mind if you catch Covid or alerting you that you may need medical help.

Oh FFS - hysteria overdrive. I've heard it all now

Well actually here in Mexico oximeters are considered to be life-saving and the government gives them out to anyone who tests positive.

Yes useful to have.

I have a 'obs kit' at home (disabled child with relevant condition so not an overly anxious parent)
I have used most of it on either myself or another one of my children and been reassured or alerted to further medical intervention.

My £13 oximeter was a bit rubbish. Not sure it was even accurate.

Bought one at beginning of pandemic - used only once when one child was breathing poorly but gives me peace of mind to know it's there like the thermometer... you can know when to call 111 or 999...

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C0719_COVID-Isolating-at-Home-Safety-Netting-Leaflet-Revised-FINAL-171220.pdf

I have a family member susceptible to lung infections and been in HDU in prior winters for terrible pneumonia so made him get one too. So easy to help know when you really need help

Nope.
As a paramedic said today- taking DH to hospital- their £20,000 machines give you honest readings your £16 one won’t.

No. If your SATS were too low you'd know about it and would seek medical treatment.

I have one. I have asthma and frequent bouts of chest infections so I have one just for peace of mind. Got mine for about £25 on Amazon.

I bought one and used it in March/April when I think I had Covid and the shortness of breath thing. Psychologically it's good as you don't panic but also you will see if you need to go to hospital. I would also recommend a humidifier as that helped me through a couple of tough nights.

I think they're a good thing to have. The one my gp used looked very similar to my Amazon one and silent hypoxia is a real concern with covid. It's now used alongside a thermometer for me, and provides information that you can relay or whatever. When I was in hospital one thing I did was take a deep breath or sit up straight for my reading as that made the oxygen level go higher as was a truer indicator.

I found it really reassuring when struggling with suspected covid in March. Despite feeling like I wasn’t breathing well I could see I was fine. And then could see if it got worse and I’d need help, which I luckily didn’t.

@PastaPins you are wrong and many doctors have noticed this isn’t the case for covid, unlike other pneumonias.

So all of you that DO have one- at what point would you worry?

99%, 98%, 95%? 90%?
Curious (I'm qualified to use one so I know what I'm doing but I don't think most of the general public would know about oxygen saturations) not trying to be hoary by the way, genuinely curious.

ShastaBeast are you trained in taking SATS obs?

Lovelilies I am intrigued to know this too as someone who is also trained to use

I have one. I had bad asthma at start of first lockdown and wasnt able to access real life help so used it to check I reallg was breathing (felt like elephant on my chest and seeing my sats readsured me I was actually breathing.)

Dont know if this was right though.

We're normally around 94-98 so I would notice if it went substantially lower. Im not a medic so Id just ring if I was worried...

All I know is that I am normally up to 99% oxygen levels so I would use that as an indicator. When I had an asthma attack earlier in the year it went down to 92% (tested in hospital). So that is what I would have in mind for myself. I think it's useful for people to have an idea of their normal levels generally, but as far as I know 95% or above is good unless you have certain underlying conditions eg COPD.

Yes. Because of happy hypoxia. Useful, particularly as it is impossible to have anything more than a telephone appointment with a gp.

@lovelilies

So all of you that DO have one- at what point would you worry?

99%, 98%, 95%? 90%?
Curious (I'm qualified to use one so I know what I'm doing but I don't think most of the general public would know about oxygen saturations) not trying to be hoary by the way, genuinely curious.

Nhs have published guidance:

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C0719_COVID-Isolating-at-Home-Safety-Netting-Leaflet-Revised-FINAL-171220.pdf

Mummyto3 thankyou for that.

You should go to hospital if it goes below 94%. I am getting one for peace of mind. Not silly at all.

That's so helpful thank you

I got one the start of the whole shit show. It's in the first aid bag sitting quite happy. No anxiety or slinging it on every 5 minutes. Handy little gizmos imo.