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SATs 90%

17 replies

ihearttc · 20/02/2021 11:18

DH has had Covid since 10th Feb so we are now Day 10. It’s a very long story why but he hasn’t had an actual positive test but myself and both DS’s have had it over the last 3 weeks so we are assuming that’s what it is. He has really gone downhill over the last 48 hours. He says his back hurts and I’ve done his SATs and they are at 90% but they do pick up to 92/93%. He is refusing to let me call 111 or take him to A&E. I think he is genuinely frightened but is likely to be really obnoxious and refuse to co operate with them if I call them without him agreeing. He is not like this any other time but he hates anything medical.

I’m assuming it’s some kind of secondary chest infection perhaps? Not sure what I’m asking cause clearly no one will be able to tell me what to do but do I need to be concerned?

He is talking ok but coughing loads in between. He ate some soup last night and porridge this morning.

OP posts:
lightand · 20/02/2021 11:27

I am not medical, but I would say you do need to be concerned. From what little I know, 90% is not ideal. Plus, day 10 can be a turning point time too.
Is there anyone other than yourself, who is able to persuade him that calling 111 is a good idea?

Cupcakefairy12 · 20/02/2021 11:27

Hi @ihearttc sending a big hug. Sounds frustrating for you when you just want to get him help. How is his breathing? I’m sure I watched a doctor on tv say if your oxygen levels drop below 94% you must been seen. I hope he stops being so stubborn soon xx

OpheliasCrayon · 20/02/2021 11:31

@ihearttc

DH has had Covid since 10th Feb so we are now Day 10. It’s a very long story why but he hasn’t had an actual positive test but myself and both DS’s have had it over the last 3 weeks so we are assuming that’s what it is. He has really gone downhill over the last 48 hours. He says his back hurts and I’ve done his SATs and they are at 90% but they do pick up to 92/93%. He is refusing to let me call 111 or take him to A&E. I think he is genuinely frightened but is likely to be really obnoxious and refuse to co operate with them if I call them without him agreeing. He is not like this any other time but he hates anything medical.

I’m assuming it’s some kind of secondary chest infection perhaps? Not sure what I’m asking cause clearly no one will be able to tell me what to do but do I need to be concerned?

He is talking ok but coughing loads in between. He ate some soup last night and porridge this morning.

Advice is anything below 94% needs to be seen. It's also the case I believe with covid, that sats can be quite low but you're still able to talk etc and this is why it causes such problems and people aren't actually realising how unwell they are. He does need to be seen OP what would happen if you called 111/999 for him and just told them? If it was my DH I would do that if I'm honest regardless of what he said.
covetingthepreciousthings · 20/02/2021 11:34

He does need to be seen OP what would happen if you called 111/999 for him and just told them? If it was my DH I would do that if I'm honest regardless of what he said.

I would do this. He needs some proper medical advice & probably intervention if they are 90%, it's very dangerous to become low on oxygen.

I'd call 111 but I'd probably expect they'd call an ambulance, if you think he'd be a problem for the ambulance staff id make them aware he might be uncooperative as he's scared.

Realitea · 20/02/2021 11:47

He really needs to be seen. You can be quite able to talk and be quite alert even with low oxygen levels. It’s a massive risk to not do anything. Just warn the operator that he’s not very cooperative at least you will have done all you can to keep him well

buttheywereonlysatilites · 20/02/2021 11:50

This is so difficult, OP, but you need to spell out the risks of hypoxia to him really clearly, and that his risk of being admitted is going to increase if doesn't get medical advice now. Then call 999.

ihearttc · 20/02/2021 12:35

I’ve just taken him to A&E, he agreed to that so he wouldn’t be wasting an Ambulance. I spoke to the Triage nurse at the door as obviously I wasn’t allowed in and he laughed at me, actually bloody laughed when I said his SATs were at 90% this morning. He asked why I had a SATs monitor as only trained professionals are supposed to use them. Many things have annoyed me throughout this last year but that is ridiculous. I’m the last person to worry unnecessarily but we were told to keep an eye on oxygen levels. DH is never ill, I can’t even remember the last time he went to see a GP.
Then I finally convince him to go and we get laughed at.

OP posts:
Dogatetheleftovers · 20/02/2021 12:38

You were absolutely right to take your DH to hospital. Just ignore that horrible nurse. I had similar symptoms to your DH and had two admissions to hospital last month. He is definitely in the right place. I’m thinking of you and hope he starts to feel better very soon. It’s an awful time for the whole family if my experience was anything to go by. 💐

Yorkshirepuddingforever · 20/02/2021 12:38

That's terrible! The self isolation leaflet says to get a oximeter and monitor levels so that is official NHS advice!

covetingthepreciousthings · 20/02/2021 12:39

@ihearttc I'm glad he has gone to hospital, however I'd have been really upset at being laughed at for having an oximeter. It's been well documented in the press that people should get one to monitor their oxygen with and in fact I've seen quite a lot of healthcare workers on twitter suggesting people get them too. So I don't see the issue.

Hope you're ok OP Thanks

Borderscotch · 20/02/2021 12:41

ihearttc we are in a similar situation. Spoke with GP yesterday and she asked off we had an O2 monitor as they are lending them out if not (we do). I would call 111 if I were you. My DH has sats similar but his usual o2 is 96 so GP was tolerant of his levels but with strict instructions to call if they dipped. He's not well today so may well be calling 111 myself in a bit. If they send an ambulance then so be it, you've tried to seek help.

Borderscotch · 20/02/2021 12:50

Sorry I assumed you both came home, apologies if that's not the case

buttheywereonlysatilites · 20/02/2021 13:03

@ihearttc did your DH stay at A&E?
I'm sorry you had that experience. If you have the fight in you I'd complain through PALS about it. It's been well advertised now that having an oximeter at home is helpful to monitor covid symptoms. As the poster above said, some GPs are loaning them out (and I'm one of those trained professionals who takes obs)

TierFourTears · 20/02/2021 13:03

iheart am I right in thinking DH isnt based in the UK? Apologies if I've got the wrong poster. If you are where I think you are, things might work differently.
Has DH been admitted into A&E, or have you been sent home?
The fact that his O2 can increase - presumably when he straightens up, or has moved around a bit is promising. Keep an eye on him, and go back if you need to.

ihearttc · 20/02/2021 14:50

@TierFourTears

Yes it is me but DH is here now, he came home just before Covid hit last year!

I did actually leave him at A&E, I did my best teacher stare and said that everyone had been advised to check on oxygen SATs with covid so I felt completely justified in checking. He has really bad back pain and is as white as a sheet so I know he isn’t well. I may not be a health care professional but I can read a number off a monitor. I checked mine and my older DS and ours was 99 so I know it’s not the monitor. Just made me angry that someone with less fight might have just walked away.

DH just messaged me and said they’ve done it there several times and it’s about 94/95 so better but his heart rate is high. He has had loads of blood tests done. He said the staff in the big he is in are amazing, pity the triage nurse wasn’t!

OP posts:
lightand · 20/02/2021 20:07

Great he is being helped now, and great that he agreed that you could take him to a&e.

Pastelpainter · 20/02/2021 20:12

How is he doing now op?

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