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.

As soon as my DH tested positive my friend who is also a nurse told me to buy one. I tested positive a few days later. I've had a solid Organ Transplant so CEV.

DH sats were bad and I put that down to him lying down in bed all day and the fluid build up in his lungs. I made him sit upright on the sofa during the day.

It's probably the most reassuring thing I've ever bought after a thermometer when DD was a baby.

Getting two isn't a bad idea either because then you can double check.

I hope your DH keeps getting better gradually OP, it must have been dreadful.

Had one for a long time as I have a Dr relative who insisted we had it years ago. The mobile phone ones aren't accurate so if you have concerns it's better to buy a proper one

@BettySundaes

No need to buy, there are plenty of free apps for your mobile if you search Playstore

Some articles are saying not to rely on these though, same with smart watches.

@ATieLikeRichardGere

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 agree. I ended up buying two as I was sure mine didn't work. But after getting a second I was able to work out the best position to get the first one to work. It was a bit hit and miss until then.

Thank you @Purplewithred. I have downloaded the PDF onto my desktop.

I’ve had one a long time for severely asthmatic DS. Ideally you should use it regularly when well so you know what your own normal reading is on your own oximeter.
Mine is usually hovering around 95% in normal times. I had Covid a couple of months ago and monitored myself regularly. I dropped to around 88% on my worst day of illness.

I had no idea my phone had this sensor! That's brilliant. I considered buying an oximeter back at the start of the pandemic but decided not to as I have a habit of getting obsessive and thought there was more risk of driving myself nuts with constant spO2 readings than was warranted.

You don't need to install the Samsung Health app, there seem to be loads of mini apps that are just set up to use the SpO2 sensor without the other rigmarole. Just search for oximeter in the app store.

I bought this a couple of months ago for my parents. One of my close friend's dad had covid, and the paramedics refused to take him in as they said he wasn't ill enough.

Her brother is a doctor who checked over their dad, and his oxygen level was at 80. He had to play the doctor card to get the paramedics to take him in and within a day, he was on a ventilator. He's now recovering.

But he said as soon as your oxygen level is below 96, you need to call a doctor as you need to be given oxygen. Not criticising the paramedics as they are extremely stressed, but being able to test yourself and get yourself help is important, and the oximeter helps with that.

I've just bought one thanks to this thread.

@KihoBebiluPute

I had no idea my phone had this sensor! That's brilliant. I considered buying an oximeter back at the start of the pandemic but decided not to as I have a habit of getting obsessive and thought there was more risk of driving myself nuts with constant spO2 readings than was warranted.

You don't need to install the Samsung Health app, there seem to be loads of mini apps that are just set up to use the SpO2 sensor without the other rigmarole. Just search for oximeter in the app store.

The phone apps are unreliable. I would buy an actual oximeter rather than relying on your phone.

I love mine, as an asthmatic it is brilliant when I have my regular chest infections.

But he said as soon as your oxygen level is below 96, you need to call a doctor

Mine was 95 when I measured it just now. I'm pretty sure I don't have covid.

I will keep checking it because that might just be my "normal"

@Ginfordinner A doctor I know said if it's below 96, whereas the article says below 95, so essentially low 90s

Yes I have one, we all had Covid and it brought me a sense of relief as dd was quite unwell.

Why does the amazon link mention mumsnet in it? Is it promotional or a marketing thing?

Go to the Samsung health App, chose the Stress test and you place your finger on the sensor on the back of the phone

It wouldn't work on my dh I should add, but read mine.

@endofthelinefinally This should have been publicised months ago. So important.
It was, I bought mine in April, it’s not new information.

Bought mine after seeing 'happy hypoxia' in an article. I was fine, kids had a great time trying to get to 100. I'm glad I have it for the future.

@Biscusting a lot of links do that when posted in here

Ordered one on Amazon today.

Thanks for posting, not everyone would have seen the news article.

Hope your DH recovers well, and soon PurpleFlower1983

Thank you @archery50

I was literally on amazon before trying to decide which one to buy for my dad egonis 71 with asthma
.. any recommendations for the best one but not too expensive would be good xx

We've had one for years due to DC with lung problems. You need to check regularly with it to know that its working and what your normal is and bare in mind that lying down and sleeping will lower levels for some people naturally without cause for concern.
However I do wonder at people saying beneath 96 needs oxygen. I can imagine lots of people panicking now and calling an ambulance the second the pulse oximeter says 95. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will come along but its generally a 92 target around here for paediatrics supplement with oxygen beneath 92 and we've dealt with admissions many many times for drops as low as the very low 80s but usually once they are maintaining at 92 and above awake and asleep they are happy for them to be off oxygen...GPs tend to send to hospital if its between 94-96 though