my lips turned blue during boot camp

Hi all, my anniversary 1 1/2 years is coming up and I've been going to pilates, working with a trainer and completed my 1st 5k for the season!

This morning I joined a boot camp and at one point I looked up and noticed my lips had turned blue. I stopped what I was doing, focused on my breathing, took a rest with some water. I was near the end of the work out and just took it easy. My lips were blue once more and luckily we were finished.

I am a bit tired still, but nothing much else.

My next check up is Friday, 9-6-13 and will share this with my doc, but wondered if I should be more concerned.

Your input is greatly welcomed,
Natalie

5 Comments

Blue Lips

by SMITTY - 2013-09-02 01:09:26

Hello Natalie,

Blue lips, or cyanosis, occurs with a low blood oxygen level. The literature I got with my pulse oximeter said blue lips or the blue extremities are usually an indication my blood O2 is at 85% or lower and that I should get on supplemental O2 if it is available or see my dr.. Fortunately I have both an oxygen concentrator and bottled O2 as back up. If you have one of these you should use it and if not, do as Don said avoid activity that causes your blue lips until you can see your dr.

Both Don and Angry Sparow gave you some good indicators to be aware of when this happens. Since you don't need my repeating what they have already said I'll just wish you good luck and stop.

Smitty

eek! blue lips

by natandhop - 2013-09-02 01:09:44

Hey yall,

Your quick response has me alerted and I'm calling now. I am very tired right now, 3 hours after the work out. And I felt similar after the 5k on Saturday.
I do have a headache, but I also have had sinus pressure for the last 2 days. However, I'm not looking for excuses and take this seriously.

Don, I'm not sure what my bp or hr was at the time, I knew I needed to stop and get my breathing under control. My hr was likely at the top of the range that it is set or beyond and I know that is bad to do.

I'll let yall know what the doctor says.
Natalie

Lips turn blue

by donr - 2013-09-02 12:09:59

That is not a normal reaction to activity. It means your O2 saturation level is low - probably in the 80's. I know it does not happen when it is in the 90's at all.

Otherwise, how did you feel? washed out? breathing heavier than normal?

Sounds like something is not normal, since here in Atlanta the temps are considerably above the point where our lips turn blue from the cold .

Worth a call on Tues to your Cardio. Do you have any idea what your BP & HR were when it happened? How did you feel other than blue lips? Chest pains? Really SOB? Weak & washed out? Was your recovery slower than normal?

I'm curious - how did you see your mouth while working out? Do you perform in front of a mirror?

Don

Good news!

by natandhop - 2013-09-03 01:09:07

I was at the doctor's office when they 1st opened and they were awesome. I had a stress test and had my PM interrogated. I had a build up of lactic acid due to the 5k on Saturday and boot camp on Monday. During both events, I hit the top range of my setting, which clearly showed on the PM check-up. I can still walk/run, do pilates and work with my trainer, I just have to be more cognizant of my efficient rate, which will be 120 with short bursts of higher, but not much more.

I'm feeling much better!
Natalie

Sounds like we...

by donr - 2013-09-04 11:09:37

...got your attention!

You obviously learned something from this adventure. (Not being sarcastic) Who'd athunk such a thing could happen?

Is there a reason they will not increase your upper limit to allow your heart to operate at those higher rates? Sounds like you can do it

Glad it all worked out OK.

Don

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.