Hello doctors myself ansh I want to know about pulse oximeter readings before 5 days my readings are 98,97 and after 7 days my readings are 96,97,98 my pulse oximeter readings are fluctuating my age is 23 and I am a patient of ocd and I am taking antidepressants like fluvoxamine maleate sustained release tablets, named voxee 50 and taking apiza 0.5 md (clonazepam 0.5) and benj 1 at night and amlodipine in morning these tablets are prescribed by my physiatrist these medicines I am taking from long time I always check my spo2 readings sometimes it will 98 and sometimes it will 96 or 97 in pulse oximeter thats why I am worried can you please tell me why this pulse oximeter readings are fluctuating? And please help me out?

Mr. Rajan PPsychologist31yrs exp

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Dear lybrate user, Not only this oxygen level, but also other things in human bodies like Blood pressure, blood sugar level, pulse rate, heart rate etc., will also be unstable and fluctuating in nature. The point here is fluctuation has to occur between the normal ranges. In your case, the readings indicate that your Saturation of peripheral oxygen level is in good condition. The problem is the AVAILABILITY OF THIS OXIMETER for a person with OCD in this pandemic situation. Please avoid using this apparatus at once. You will be free from your problem. 

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Dr. Nikhil AggarwalGeneral Physicianyrs exp

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Pulse oximeter readings can fluctuate due to several reasons 1. Low quality equipment 2. Your hand not steady while measuring 3. Sometimes due to ac use, if finger is cold, the readings can be low solution 1. Don’t move your hand while checking 2. Let the readings get stable. It may take 30-40 seconds 3. Note the final stable reading 4. Check your spo2 after 6 mins walk. If it is same or more or just slightly low, you are totally fine. Don’t worry. 5. Once you check readings like I told you and if the readings are normal, stop checking it again and again. Do regular deep breathing exercises. Take care!  

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Dr. Saranya DevanathanPsychiatrist51yrs exp

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Dear ansh, some persons living with ocd, become worse during covid. You need to consult your psychiatrist for follow up. He may increase the dose of fluoxamine or add another tablet or therapy for ocd. Try and check spo2 only once a day and stop rechecking. Any reading above 94% is okay. Oxygen is utilized for any exercise, even few steps taken or anxiety of getting low spo2. While relaxed both physically and mentally, the body needs less oxygen and so spo2 will be high. You need treatment for your worry and rechecking. Your psychiatrist will help in that.  

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Dr. P K SukumaranPsychiatrist57yrs exp

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Stress patients worry too much. Stress in today?s day & age where stress is high, feelings of frustration can emerge. It is our perception that can change our current negative situation into a healthy & positive one. Another way of perceiving these feelings of frustration can be by looking at them as an opportunity to push ourselves to go that little extra mile until we achieve our objective. However, there are times when we all can go around in circles; and being in this space can be quite upsetting and lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, frustration and can even cloud our mind and judgment. Exercise one hr daily, oil massage body, hobby, support from friends family, help others, weekly holiday, yoga, meditation no problem.  

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