Pulse ox low after RPLND

[JoeysMom]

Has anyone has this side effect? Joey is feeling much better in the past 2 days but he still needs 2 LPM of oxygen all the time. As soon as he takes his oxygen out (of his nose) his oxygen level drops from 93 to 80. He is so worried that this will be permanent. We are now 11 days post RPLND. He is off of his pain medications, only advil when needed.

[socalfiremedic]

Using pulse oximeters daily in my field, you need to assume that a Pulse Ox machine is merely just a diagnostic tool, and isn't definitive. The number (percentage) the pulse ox shows can vary based on so many things. (cold fingers, neuropathy, low iron, low red blood cell count, etc) If your son is truly desaturating when the oxygen comes off him, look for other signs of low oxygen, such as shortness of breath, increased work of breathing, cyanotic/bluing of the lips, increased heart rate, increased anxiety, etc. If you have a stethoscope, listen to his lungs.. make sure he doesn't sound all clogged up in there. (you should hear nice clear sounding breath sounds)


-Justin

[David1969]

I had something similar after my second RPLND, it did not last 11 days, but was certainly for a few. The good news is that there were no lonterm issues for me.

[JoeysMom]

Thanks guys, my sister came out from California to see Joey and she suggested we start weening him off of the oxygen, she got him down to .5 LPM's and his oxygen was at 94, so now he is wearing it only as needed and I think he will be off of it very soon!