According to my pulse oximeter, I should be dead :) Buy an oxygen concentrator?

[ujayujay]

On 6/25/2025 at 3:55 PM, simon43 said:

Right now, my blood oxygen level is around 88%, heart rate normal.

 

I have bronchiectasis (widening of the lung bronchi, caused typically by previous pneumonia).  Because my bronchi are very sensitive to air irritants, I moved to Khanom Beach, with clean, salty air, and that suited my lungs.

 

Last week I had to go to Jomtien Beach to finish up my rented condo.  The location was nice, the condo was cheap, but the smell of cannabis was everywhere, and my lungs definitely didn't like it!

 

I came back to Khanom with bad bronchitis, which I've had dozens of times previously.  Bad cough, tons of thick mucus in my lungs, very tired, and I still need to teach online 🙂 I had to abandon some lessons due to uncontrolleable coughing attacks.

 

Today, things seem a little better, after taking anti-biotics and mucus thinners and 'huffing' exercise.  But I bought a pulse oximeter from Lazada to check my oxygen % level.

 

88%, sometimes 90%.  Hmm...... Dr Google told me to get to the nearest hospital!

 

I have been short of breath, due to the mucus partly blocking my bronchi, but no worse than what I've experienced with this poxy illness over the past 25 years.

 

Does anyone with a lung condition use an oxygen concentrator?  I might buy one to help me a little during these flare ups.  Does anyone have experience of these?  Thanks.

Buy a new Oxymeter.......

[Tiger1980]

I’m not sure if it’s available but you could try buying Beetroot or Beetroot juice as many Dr in the UK recommend, it should increase your grading above 95.

[impulse]

On 6/25/2025 at 9:31 PM, simon43 said:

I never feel faint or light-headed - the shortness of breath is due to the damn mucus blocking up my airways 🙂  BTW, my lungs themselves are fine - hence I can briskly walk 10km every day without getting short of breath, (even with chronic bronchitis I start short of breath but after 10km it hasn't got worse.

 

I stand by my original suggestion to go see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. 

 

By way of personal experience, after I got my 4x bypass surgery at Bumrungrad, they x-rayed my lungs pretty regularly to see my progress.  Turns out the reason my lungs were filled up with fluid is because my heart wasn't beating strong enough to keep them clear.  So it was a question of what was causing which.  In my case, it was plugged arteries causing the fluid buildup in my lungs. 

 

But YMMV.  Get ye to a doctor.  At least before you pony up the $1000 USD or so to try out an oxygen concentrator.  Which may do nothing for you.

 

[Globalres]

On 6/25/2025 at 4:52 PM, simon43 said:

Thanks!  Happily I have never felt faint at any time.  My typical heart rate is rather slow at 45-55 beats/minute, but doctors have attributed this to a healthy heart as a result of the daily exercise that I do (5-10km brisk walking every day for the past 25 years!) to keep my lungs clear.  At night, my heart rate can drop to 35, but doctors have checked and said that this is not due to any heart problems, but is solely because of my good heart health. I only feel slightly short of breath when the damn mucus sticks in my bronchi 🙂

 

As an aside, many years ago I took up playing the Lao khaen musical instrument to help my lungs, since one can play songs by breathing in and out without needing to take an 'external' breath.  I can't say that my ability to play the khaen has improved though!

I have COPD, I have used a device called Airofit, where you do breathing exercises that you follow on your phone via Bluetooth.  I have used it basically for 4 years now on a daily basis, except when sick or on holidays.  It strengthens your auxiliary breathing muscles so you’ll find breathing easier. This device is used by athletes,  but many people with lung problems have found it helpful.  Indeed I have. You will be able to improve your lung volume, hold your breath on both inhale and exhale, thus making you more carbon dioxide tolerant which has many advantages.

 

i also use an OPEP device, which you exhale into, it forces you to cough, and with the vibrating metal ball inside the device it helps loosen up flegm in the lungs so you cough it up.

I also have an oxy/pulse meter, I have good levels 98-99%.  But one would expect this seriously deteriorating whilst having a lung infection.  So test again when you don’t have an acute infection. I use several other tools, won’t go into here unless you’re curious/interested.  
 

There are useful supplements, NAC (helps thin mucus), Mullein leaf, Boswellia (LOX-5 inhibitor), all of these help lessen the production of mucus in your lungs.  When inflammation is in your airways, your body tries to over compensate with the production of mucus, so those supplements work on dampening the constant inflammation.

Best of luck, take care.