posted
I think 90 is considered normal. However, my daughter was having a lot of trouble getting a good breath and a blood gas test was ordered. I was nervous about having the test performed because it is really painful, so I asked the respiratory therapist if you could have a normal oximeter? test but show something else on the blood gas. When I was told it was possible, we went ahead with the test. It was abnormal.
Had consult with pulmonologist that said her lung function was normal, even though she failed miserably the spirometry? peak flow test. I thought it was strange that he could send us on our way, telling us everything was normal, when she obviously couldn't breathe!
Yes, she has had episodes of chest pain, rib pain, and upper epigastric pain. I think it is related to the TBI's - she has lyme, bartonella, q fever, and FL 1953. Also recently she has had bartonella type rashes break out on her chest--probably a concentration of infection in that area.
I took her to ER once with bad chest pain ( I was concerned about her heart) nothing was found, but they diagnosed esophageal spasms.
Posts: 312 | From Utah | Registered: Nov 2010
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philly78
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Member # 31069
posted
89-90% is not normal especially when paired with the chest pain and SOB.
Did they have you stand up and walk around with the pulse ox on your finger to see if it dropped further?
Are your extremities really cold? Sometimes that can give an inaccurate reading.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
philly - No, they didn't have me walk around. She just said anything 90 and up is considered normal. It's possible my hands were cold, but I don't know that for certain.
Posts: 33 | From Michigan | Registered: May 2012
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I have Raynaud's and there have been times that the pulse ox did not even register due to my cold hands. Seems to me that if it does register, it's correct???
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Not sure Lymetoo. I know when the pedi has taken my kids' pulse ox they told me it can have a false low reading, so they take the highest one they can get because they said you can't get a false high. So I guess mine was 90...
Posts: 33 | From Michigan | Registered: May 2012
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philly78
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posted
If you wanted to, you could actually go to the store and buy a portable pulse ox to wear at home. I think they are around 30-40 dollars and you can monitor yourself.
I check myself all the time when at work! Lol.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Hubby was just in the ER and the alarms go off when the pulse ox gets to 90 or lower.
He normally has no problems with his pulse ox but they had given him some sedating medication.
Bartonella can affect the lungs and one of the symptoms of babesia is shortness of breath.
If your pulse ox is 90 when you are awake my concern would be whether it drops during sleep. Have you ever been evaluated for sleep apnea? Hubby did have to use a CPAP machine for 4 or 5 years but does not need that any more.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Pulse ox is considered inaccurate because because of the many variables that can affect results: these include perfusion of the body part being monitored, cold extremities, anemia, hemoglobin concentrations, movement, bright florescent lights, dark skin color, and thick acrylic nails.
Normal value of pulse oximetry (SpO2) is 95% or above, but is used as only a general indicator of oxygen saturation. It is an easy and often used method of monitoring O2 saturation, and is especially valuable in situations such as exercise testing, intensive care, and perioperative settings, where monitoring of real time changes is important.
SpO2 is usually an adequate measure of O2 saturation; accuracy drops if SpO2 is less than 70%. If there is reason to doubt the accuracy of SpO2, or if values are unusually low, arterial blood gasses (ABGs) are done, which is more invasive.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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merrygirl
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posted
very inaccurate test. If the machine isnt placed correctly,movement,nail polish it can alter your sp02 reading.
Typically, in vet medicine, an animal with pulse ox of less than 96% would get oxygen.
Blood gases are helpful but they require skill and proper handling to be accurate
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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philly78
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posted
Well, when someone says they have chest pain and SOB and a low pulse ox, I wouldn't just assume the test is inaccurate...although it is a possibility.
In my experience....they are pretty accurate.
I would also be unhappy with my doc if s/he didn't rule out any problems that could be causing it. But that's just me.
But then again...I'm an ER nurse and I always think of the worst!
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
The issue of the pulse ox aside, did the doctor not address the chest pain at all??
I don't know your age, medical history, etc, but most doctors would do an EKG and some blood work to rule out cardiac problems...
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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