Unless your doc follows you around with an oximeter all day, he doesn't have any idea how much O2 you need to stay adequately saturated. When your provider set you up, there should have been some testing of what you need doing various activities, because the provider, assuming that it was an RT doing the testing, can call the doc and let him/her know whether what's been prescribed is adequate. Most providers don't do that any more because it takes time and with competitive bidding, it's time they can't bill for.

That's why it's so important for patients to have oximeters. You should keep track of what your O2 saturation levels are doing various activities, because I can guarantee you that your requirements will be different when you're sitting and when you're up and moving, and when you're exercising. If your O2 levels drop below 88 for any activities, you need to get back to your doc and let him/her know. You should then be told to crank the O2 up.

A doc who truly knows his stuff would prescribe O2 to maintain a certain saturation level as measured by an oximeter rather than for lpms. Most docs don't know enough about O2 home systems to be able to truly prescribe O2 appropriately. Patients should be told to increase the O2 flow rate or pulse rate if their saturation levels fall during whatever they're doing, and only then.

Jean

If I were you, I would request that my doctor order one. You may need additional oxygen or even a bipap machine while you sleep. You have got to be miserable with waking up that often. Hope you find some relief.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member, I have had two of the arterial blood gases test. Everyone keeps saying they are painful, but neither of mine were. The second one even bruised badly, but it did not hurt. The technician at the Cleveland Clinc who did the second test told me that he used a smaller needle so it wouldn't hurt as much. Apparently, that is the key, a small needle.

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A MyCOPDT...

You can purchase an oximeter at any pharmacy or online.

Your doctor would order a test (you wear an oximeter on your finger overnight) and the test determines what your needs are. The doctor then writes a prescription for your oxygen. You take that to a provider in your area: Lincare, Apria, American Health... Once they have set you up, they will tell you about different units, etc. When I first started, I only used oxygen at night while I slept. I was on 2 liters then. I am now on oxygen 24/7 and use 3 or 4 liters of continuous flow.