TerrieQuit What I thinkthey are telling you is that although your lung capacity has decreased - your use of that capacity has increased. This is because the constant irritation caused by smoking creates inflammation and the inflammation creates more mucus and the combination makes it harder for a person to breathe. Somebody with less lung capacity can have Oxygen sats in the high 90s even though somebody with more lung capacity can have very low oxygen sats. A comparable situation is an old car with a full tank of gas and bad gas mileage may not go as far as a new car with good gas mileage but a half tank of gas. Does that make sense? By the way, see if you can get an RN contact from your insurance company. Many have a 24 hour phone and email access to provide more explanation for things the doctor said but doesn't have time to explain. A Respiratory Therapist could also answer all of your questions.
