Buy a pulse oximeter!

[PurpleFlower1983]

Covid: How a £20 gadget could save lives

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55733527

I have had first hand experience of this, my otherwise healthy 41 year old husband is currently in critical care on oxygen support. He’s getting there now but there have been scary moments. We only knew his oxygen levels were dangerously low because of this machine. Buy one if you can.

Any recommendations for which one. I had a COVID test today and had planned on buying one anyway

I’d be interested in knowing if there are any recommendations too

We just bought this cheap one, it’s the same as in the article. We got it on next day but there’s a bit of a wait now.

Pulse Oximeter Measuring Oxygen Finger Monitor Device Saturation Pulse Frequency Adults UK Adult Kids OLED Display www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P24D3WB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_o9FcGbTJMS36B?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

If any of you have a Samsung phone you might find you have one already. I found out on here.

Yes agree. We bought a cheap one off Amazon. DH was admitted when his levels dropped to 87. Hope your husband gets well soon. It's a scary virus.

@HairyFloppins It really is! My husbands were fluctuating between 78 and 82 - I didn’t realise how serious this was until we were told to dial 999!

That's the awful thing with covid it causes silent hypoxia and most people don't realise.

Bought ours early doors and was about 50 quid. We aren't flash Harriet's but they were expensive at the time of huge demand. It certainly gives some peace of mind and I ordered one for DM too. Even though I was ripped off its well worth having

We were loaned one by our surgery when I tested positive.. but absolutely be prepared, make sure you have the oximeter, paracetamol, a thermometer and we were also given a blood pressure monitor. I was also admitted when my levels were in the 80’s..

We bought one early on in the Pandemic. God knows where it is now - must dig it out.

There's just been a piece on the 10 o'clock news about the importance of having one.

Totally agree with you op.
I got mine in March and it was helpful to me when I felt very unwell earlier this month.
Wishing your DH a speedy recovery

@Houseworkavoider Thank you x

We've had one for years, because ds can have low O2 levels, without the usual signs, and this has been missed before.
We've just bought a new one recently due to Covid.

I don’t have much luck with medical devices. I bought one on the first lockdown and my O2 was 92%. And my thermometer showed body temperature at 35.8. So I was basically dead. Haven’t had covid yet

I’ve had one for years, because of my bad health anxiety, it does become obsessional if you’re not careful.

Just ordered one

A word of warning that I have a “good” one and it seems fairly inaccurate. I think if you get one you have to use it regularly to see what your usual readings are so that you can notice a change - I wouldn’t rely on just the absolute levels.

I’ve just bought one as My oh has just tested positive. Hyology brand from Amazon . So reassuring if a bit obsessed now

I got one from Argos. I got the basic £20 one but they had a few different ones to choose from.

DH has Coronavirus ŕight now. It is very reassuring for him to be able to monitor his oxygen levels.

Info mine and my leak flow every day and track in my phone. Helps me feel reassured, as an asthmatic.

I bought one a few weeks ago. How inappropriate would it be to get one delivered to parents and in laws?

We've had one for years, for DC1 due to her asthma - a cheapo one from Amazon that does the job. The doctor at the hospital looked at it during her last admission and said it was no different from the ones they use, and encouraged us to use it as it's not obvious when DC1 is struggling. Handy little things!

Thanks have just ordered one. At least if my test comes back positive I’ll feel a bit prepared. I don’t feel massively unwell but the anxiety of it all is really getting to me now. I’m eligible now for the vaccine but can’t book my appointment until my test comes back. Sod’s law if I catch it just before getting the vaccine!

I bought one this week because I have copd and am breathless. Oxygen level should be over 95. Mine flickers between 89 - 94. Don't get a steady reading.
I do have sleep apnea and use a cpap at night which is brilliant for sleep.zones
I have a telephone appointment with the respiratory department in a couple of weeks because I've told them of my readings..

I wish my pulse oximeter gave a steady definite reading.unit
It cost £18 off Amazon.

Where is it on a Samsung?