Help oxygen sats

[fannyFERNACKERPANN]

My Dm had covid and copd she doesn't sound well at all but is refusing to call an ambulance because she says she's fine but she's struggling for breath and can't talk without coughing and spluttering. She's CEV so we're very concerned

We've got an oxygen meter but I'm unsure what the reading should be for someone with COPD. I looked online and think it's fine to be between 88-92 however Dm thinks if it's 86 it's fine.

Does anyone have any advice and at what reading on the oxymeter would you consider calling for an ambulance? Tia

If she’s refusing an ambulance you could always try the softly approach of contacting her GP with a view to a home visit, she might need some steroids with her having COPD.

Not going to comment on the SPO2 reading as it’s just not appropriate to do without a full view of a patient and being able examine them.

Sorry correction: she HAS covid

Any ring lower than 92 is seriously unwell. 96-99 is normal. See needs an ambulance

You need to get straight on to 111 instead of trying to get consensus on the internet, or go straight to getting paramedics out to check on her who will decide what she needs. There will be other factors medics will take into account, it won't be a decision based entirely on the oximetre.

She did call her gp who said to just rest up and if she feels she needs an ambulance to call one, Obviously we can't force her to seek more help but she's always insisting she's ok and never asks for help

I would go along the "better safe than sorry, just get you checked out" line.

Would she go bonkers if you called an ambulance for her ? People who are hypoxic (low in oxygen) can be confused and/ or aggressive.

Im taking her the oxymeter as soon as i finish work and I'm really tempted that to just call for an ambulance for someone to come and check on her. I know she's a grown woman which is why I'm kind of reluctant to push it but I'm also aware of how much she just never likes to 'trouble' anyone

@babyyodaxmas

I would go along the "better safe than sorry, just get you checked out" line.

Would she go bonkers if you called an ambulance for her ? People who are hypoxic (low in oxygen) can be confused and/ or aggressive.

Thank you, yeah I think we will go along that route. I would never forgive myself if something did happen and we said 'well she was stubborn'

Look, all of these people here saying below 92% is an emergency clearly know nothing about COPD.

In fact it’s actually dangerous for most people with COPD to have SPO2 over 92% because they are likely to over oxygenate and retain Co2 which leads to respiratory depression.

88-92% is oxygenation target for people with COPD on a normal healthy day.

@whenwillthemadnessend
You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, so I’d probably leave off the medical advice.

With Covid its a sudden drop on oxygen that can prove fatal. People are 'just about managing' but then it drops off rapidly or can, so definitely err on side of caution and get her seen. Hope she's better soon.

Any ring lower than 92 is seriously unwell. 96-99 is normal. See needs an ambulance

Not for people with COPD it’s not. 88-92% should be the target.

People shouldn’t be commenting on things they know nothing about.

@QueenOfPain

Look, all of these people here saying below 92% is an emergency clearly know nothing about COPD.

In fact it’s actually dangerous for most people with COPD to have SPO2 over 92% because they are likely to over oxygenate and retain Co2 which leads to respiratory depression.

88-92% is oxygenation target for people with COPD on a normal healthy day.

I read yesterday it was 88-92

Mil thinks she sits at 86 on a good day but I think we will call 111 while we're there and see if anyone can come and just check her over to make sure she's ok to stay home.

Given your mum has COPD I wouldn't rely solely on sat's monitoring to determine how unwell she is. I would call for an ambulance, paramedics will be better placed to assess her. You can reassure your mum that no one can force her to go to hospital but input from a healthcare professional could get her the treatment she needs to avoid admission.

@Twixmas

With Covid its a sudden drop on oxygen that can prove fatal. People are 'just about managing' but then it drops off rapidly or can, so definitely err on side of caution and get her seen. Hope she's better soon.

Thank you, this is what I worry about. Seen so many stories of things changing rapidly.

@FOJN

Given your mum has COPD I wouldn't rely solely on sat's monitoring to determine how unwell she is. I would call for an ambulance, paramedics will be better placed to assess her. You can reassure your mum that no one can force her to go to hospital but input from a healthcare professional could get her the treatment she needs to avoid admission.

Yeah that's a great idea thank you

Not being able to speak in a full sentence without gasping for breath (if not your mums normal presentation) means she needs help. 86 is under the normal range for patients with COPD - so you know what your mums baseline stats are normally?
I'd be calling 111 as a matter of urgency.

None of us on here really know what is normal for your Mum. 86 is pretty low. My advice is to let the paramedics make the decision. You are concerned with what sounds like good reason. You are not wasting their time.

She's saying she's usually at 86 but she couldn't be sure.

Will be going to her at 4:30 so not long and I'll make sure to call 111, she's not able to speak properly and she's coughing in between words so we're really worrying here and she's saying she's fine.

@babyyodaxmas

None of us on here really know what is normal for your Mum. 86 is pretty low. My advice is to let the paramedics make the decision. You are concerned with what sounds like good reason. You are not wasting their time.

Thank you, yeah it is a worry wasting people's time but with this I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck let us know how you go. Rooting for you and her of course.

If she's hypoxic she may not be able to judge on what is fine or not. I'd suggest not waiting another hour.

@babyyodaxmas

Good luck let us know how you go. Rooting for you and her of course.

Thank you I will update once I've seen her

In fact it’s actually dangerous for most people with COPD to have SPO2 over 92% because they are likely to over oxygenate and retain Co2 which leads to respiratory depression.

I appreciate you are trying to be helpful but you clearly do not fully understand how
chronic hypercapnia shifts the respiratory drive to hypoxic. You are not alone in posting misleading information on this thread. The only sensible advice has come from people advising that assessment is best left to professionals.

Actually, I do understand.

The OP’s mum has been assessed by the GP and was comfortable with the assessment and advice already given by the GP. The hysteria on the thread was not helpful in dealing with what seems primarily to be a problem with the OP’s anxiety.