Probably a very good purchase.

We are finding people with COVID often have a dangerously low oxygen saturation level (what the pulse oximeter measures) and do not feel short of breath. Thus, a pulse oximeter is a good tool. We are concerned when it is 94% or lower.

Devices and placement have a margin of error, so suggest using/checking it when you are healthy and asymptomatic, on different fingers, so you know what your normal reading is.

Some physicians feel anyone with COVID not admitted to a hospital should have/use a pulse oximeter.

https://twitter.com/airwaycam/status/1332864841871192067?s=09

https://twitter.com/airwaycam/status/1338536555762348032?s=09

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-qa-podcast-remote-monitoring-of-covid-19-patients/

Yes I do. Bought it this past Summer. I also found my stethoscope. I had looked and looked for it because my daughter was sick earlier in the year with a respiratory issue and I couldn't find it. It turned back up this Fall. Weird. It is now in plain sight on one of my new closet shelves.

I bought one last summer, when someone in one of my local FB groups had ordered too many for her family. I was glad to have it when I was exposed and had to quarantine in DS’ old bedroom for two weeks. I checked it twice a day.

My Samsung Smartphone has a health app that includes an oximeter. That works for me unless my doctor tells me different.

Rusty

Thank you for the PSA ;0) We didn't have one. With the no-touch forehead thermometer and a blood pressure cuff here, seemed adding an oximeter may not be a bad idea. I was placing an Amazon order this morning anyway, included one in my order.

I have one and I find it very interesting. I followed the suggestion so that I would have a base to compare of using it several times a day, on different fingers, and after activity and simply sitting.

One of the interesting things is if I place it on my right hand then do my left, same finger, the right hand number is lower. My normal will range between 94 and 98. The doctor did not seem concerned when it was 94 when I was in his office.

Yes, bought it back in April when they were harder to find.

I have had one for nearly a year and do use it fairly often to check saturation levels. Do have compromised lungs. I was told that as long as the readings are between 90 and 100, that is good. Now I am hearing no lower than 94. I am in big trouble then @mdln

@WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a, probably not "big trouble," if that is your normal. Exactly the reason to periodically check. 😊

@ Rusty, yes! If you have Samsung ...

No. I don't have any chronic conditions requiring me to monitor any of my vital signs at home. I have good access to medical care via my doctor. We also carry excellent health insurance. If I needed a device on my doctor's recommendation I would use it. With modern technology one can often be monitored remotely by health care professionals. I don't go looking for worries. If I feel something is off or I am ill I check with my doctor. I don't even take my temp when I am ill. I generally can tell if I am running a fever or not.

Our medical equipment consists of a kit filled with large dressings, wraps and supplies for first aid for injuries, not illness. I have a separate kit for animals. It does have a blood glucose monitor (had a diabetic dog), a thermometer, an aural speculum and a stethoscope.

Absolutely have had a pulse oximeter for many years. A very nice blood pressure monitor with Bluetooth and app for Android. It sends all information to my phone so I can easily share with my doctors. It also tracks my heart irregular beats, I also have manual blood pressure cuff and a very good stethoscope. Digital thermometers.

Necessary with my asthma and my PVC's.

Yes, I bought mine direct from Philips Medical.

Mdln, yes I know that. It also keeps track of readings, counts steps, all kinds of neat things. A very handy little gadget to have,

Rusty

Bought mine about 3 years ago. Used to sit in my meds tote, but now sits on the table next to me. I have asthma and COPD. Important tool to have.

We bought one this summer, just in case, after we heard about the people who didn't realize their oxygen was dangerously low when they are sick with Covid. Now that WE have Covid, I'm glad to have it. My husband's O2 got a little low the other day, and had it gone any lower, we knew we needed to seek help. Otherwise, we would have had no idea. (Fortunately it was a temporary blip and we are fine!)

Yep, my sister bought for us when we ALL had covid. She is a sweet heart. Never needed it thank goodness. We are both nurse's, but I could not go out.

Have had one some thing like 15-18 years. It is right beside me on my desk.

I got a surprise delivery from my health care company containing a temperature gun, oximeter and little tin with first aid things. Actually I had never thought much about that reading. My only interest, until now, was as a long time former smoker. Glad to know it will be useful.

No, I don't have one and don't want one. I do have a thermometer but rarely use it. I know when I am running a temp. Mostly I use it if I am watching a sick grandchild.

Jody has one, and uses it many times a day. Every time he moves, his oxygen drops. He has asbestosis and pulmonary fibrosis. I check mine from time to time. Mine is always in the high 90's.

I want one. What features do I need in an oximeter? I see them on Amazon with a very wide range of prices. I've had asthma for decades and receive infusions to treat multiple myeloma. It's hard to say how 'short of breath' you are when your lungs only function at 70% normally...although I register 98 percent levels when tested.

A few suggestions if you do not already have one. For most people just a basic one is all that is needed. For someone who is actively being monitored by a doctor or who does a lot of physical activity it might be good to talk to your doctor. Some would like to know what your levels are over a span of time. While you can write the numbers down it is easier to forget to take that list with you or if someone takes you they may not know where it is. Some of the ones have phone apps that the information can be transferred to. I have seen above where a phone has an app but not certain how a phone would connect to your body to make a reading. I would think you would still need another appliance for the app to be functional.

@ maifleur03, using Samsung phone app (pictured above), just place finger over camera lens.

@ chisue, unfortunately Amazon does not have the big name (probably expensive & overpriced) brands we use at the hospital. The Innovo one, pictured above, I was buying as a gift. I believe all show pulse rate in addition to oxygen saturation. The additional feature I wanted is a plethysmograph which shows pulse strength; want to see a nice clear up & down tracing to know you are getting a reliable reading.

Thank you mdln. I could not visualize nor found much information on how to. I have an Iphone and even with a lens cover I am not certain I would want to take a chance of scratching the lens.

Thanks, mdln. Are you feeling better after your own bout with Covid?

Yes, was months ago at very beginning of pandemic. Thank you for asking.

My Samsung phone also has it built in, but the reading always seems low to me. I first used it pre-pandemic and it read low compared to the pulse-oximeter at the doctor's office, or when I had a colonoscopy in March. But I just think of that as my baseline on my device, so if I went lower I would be concerned.

With Raynaud's, I'm wondering what my reading would be if I used it when one of my fingers happened to be white and bloodless. lol Maybe I'll try it later. Temp is in the teens this morning, and I'm sure I'll have an opportunity.

@mdln -- Good to hear. I remembered you didn't have an easy time with it and was concerned that you might be one of the 'Long Haulers' who seem stuck with ongoing problems.

@Alisande -- I hear you about the cold fingers failing to register. I've had to 'sit on my hands' at a doctor's office. Wonder if the gadget will read some other body part? My oximeter's supposed to arrive today! I was sure to get one with a 'plethy'. (Calling it that after DS's fish-tank-cleaning lifeform.)

Glad to hear your oximeter will arrive today, Chisue.

My experiment with the cold fingers was a little alarming, as I couldn't get one to register more than 85%. It's no wonder my nail beds are often a little blue.

Oh, wait--one of my pinkies turned pink (how appropriate!), and registered 99%. Whew!