[Treatment] What's the downside of too much supplimental O2

[justMongo]

I flow 2 LPM of O2 from a concentrator into my CPAP airstream.
I was told not to dial it up too high. I notice another board member at 3 LPM.

What is the downside of too much O2 flow. (My concentrator could be set as high as 5 LPM.)

Interferes with my Bilevel switching?
Reduces red cell count?
Oxidative stress in the body?

BTW -- I just got my recording oximeter; and I'm going to test drive it tonight.

[Peter_C]

Hopefully another will chime in with more technical info. Caring for my father in-law that passed from COPD, I learned a bit about O2 use. First, the downside is even if not needed, your body will become quickly adapted to whatever you provide, and then will *need* that new level until you wean yourself down.

I do know there is a limit, and Doctors fear a patient getting too close, because they can't always be weaned back, and the next step at that point is a respirator.

Again, I do not know much about O2 use, just that it's really bad to casually raise it...