As a ''Retainer'' We tend to have High Oxygen Readings.....This means we have little trouble getting Oxygen in BUT this can be deceptive. The Problem is our Lungs have become like Deflated Balloons that cannot Expel the Carbon Dioxide, so we end up SOB >>>Short of Breath.

In order to counter this we need to learn PLB >>>Purse Lip Breathing and master it so it becomes second nature to us....This technique is also very useful to help climb stairs by the Breath in....Hold.....and Climb. Then Expel....Rest and Repeat. Also it can be used in case of Serious SOB when a Rescue is not working but combined with or without, PLB can slow the breathing down before Panic sets in and the cycle continues...

Hope this helps xxxxxx

I have heard that sometimes you are not breathing out enough and not getting rid of the carbon dioxide in your lungs. Then blow out like blowing up a balloon a few times...see if that helps. Also I am adding what I found on the net......
~:So, now you’re checking your pulse-ox regularly and your readings are both in the “normal” range. Yet, you’re still out-of-breath. Why? It may have something to do with the amount/volume of air you can get into your lungs.
If you’re out-of-breath but your oxygen level is still high, it suggests that your lungs are efficiently transferring oxygen to your blood. That’s why your oxygen saturation level is “normal”. But, you may not be taking in enough air to support your activities.
If you keep an eye on your oxygen saturation level, you’ll notice that it may go up and down quickly. It’s “normal” when you start to exercise, drops as you work out and returns to “normal” once you stop. Faced with that pattern, many people wrongly assume that the way to solve their breathing problem is to stop exercising – sit still. Unfortunately, that’s about the worst thing that you can do.
Well toned muscles use oxygen more efficiently than muscles which are flabby. In other words, they need less oxygen to do a given unit of work. So, if you want to use the oxygen you get to the maximum extent possible, keep your muscles toned. Get up off the couch, go for a walk, go to the gym. Stay active.
If we were to compare two people with identical lung problems, we’d likely see that the more physically fit of the two could walk farther and faster than the other. And, use less oxygen to do it. So, which of these two would you rather be?

Im also a ''Retainer'' or the proper term is A Gas Exchange issue....My sats are always high 90's yet get very SOB with exertion.....My last Flare was sats in very low 90's but no other symptoms...It was a Bronchial Tube blockage that was the culprit and huge doses of Pred cleared it...so back to high sats but it took taking it very easy with gradual breathing exercises......I am now on a daily Pred regime which also helps with my chronic inflammation rib pain.......My experience only....

I would also suggest that to try and remember the breathing technique, and rescue inhaler. If you feel that you may have an obstruction use a homogenize the vibration my loosen what may be causing the obstruction. Please keep us up to date on how you are doing may God bless and help ease your breathing.

Absolutely....the 02 reading tells if you're getting enough oxygen. If you are, your finger and toe nails will have a pinkish color....if you are not, they will appear more muted and darker (bluish). If you have good 02 stats and are having trouble breathing, chances are you have inflammation in lungs and probably need Prednisone to open the airways. Either way, you should see your doctor. I have an emergency supply of both antibiotics and steroids for those weekend flare-ups that can't wait. Once I decide to use them (prednisone first, then if that doesn't help I add the antibiotic) I schedule a f/u with my doctor. Hope this was helpful.