Home monitoring

[matthew55]

I have just got an oxygen monitor, the one that goes on your finger, and first few reads are upper 90's. I'm not sure if this is a good idea. What do you think? 🤔😄😍😘xx

[denise]

something on news yesterday that said if you have dark skin then those things arent working properly.

[Nettie]

I use one but only if I don’t feel too good 👍

[aussiegirl]

I use one only to see if the low levels are causing my headache, or it is there from another reason. A cheap and useful device.

[Mary C]

Hi..Are these supplied via NHS.?Does it monitor carbon dioxide levels or just oxygen?I was told retention of carbon dioxide can cause headaches on waking.
Mary

[Ellie]

matthew55 I think they're a good idea. I have one and use it every now and then.

Sats in the upper 90s is excellent 👍👍👍 It'd be great to measure them on waking, be that at 3am or after a full night's sleep (with and without your Z pills) 😘😘

[LindaB]

I bought one at the outset of covid...useful to have IMO 😇

[Ellie]

Important to note: pulse oximeters were in the news over the weekend - they give higher (false) readings on darker skin tones, so should not be relied upon by some people. xx

[Ellie]

I've seen your photo 💖, but I am quite sure there are forum members with various skin tones, who ought to be aware of the issue. xx

[Doug Carpenter]

Readings can vary 1-2% between fingers and hands.

Choose one finger and stick to it.

Doug

[matthew55]

97 when I woke up 😄😉😆😀xx

[Ellie]

97 when I woke up

That's excellent, I see how you can sleep comfortably without NIV.

For comparison, with NIV on overnight, my oxygen level doesn't go above 95, and spends most of the night hovering between 92-94.

I'm happy for you 🥰🥰

[Heather R]

Mary, an oximeter doesn't measure CO2 levels unfortunately. I think this can only be measured by blood sample from ear or wrist or somewhere?? I don't know if they are supplied by nhs, but are fairly cheap online xx