Anyone Ever Used An Oxygen Concentrator?

[mawnansmiff]

Due to my ever falling SpO2 readings (concentation of oxygen in the blood) due to severe COPD (from smoking RYO for thirty odd years) I have come to the conclusion that I need supplementary oxygen. (Typical readings for a healthy person would be between 90% and 100%, my readings go as low as 55%).

There are two options open to me, cylinder oxygen or an oxygen concentrator. The latter is the safest option as it extracts oxygen from the surrounding air on demand, much better than having a cylinder full of the stuff.

I spoke with my doctor yesterday on the matter and she agreed that a concentrator would be the best option for me. However I have to go through the dreaded 'blood gas test' where a nurse sticks a thick hypodermic needle into your wrist and moves it about until she finds the artery to extract the blood from. It has to be arterial blood for some reason. This 'blood gas test' is extremely painful and is normally taken after a local anaesthetic has been given. Last time I had it done in hospital I couldn't have the anaesthetic due to my current meds so I suppose the same will apply next time I have it ?

So, has anyone here had any experience of oxygen concentrators and if so how did they work out for the patient on the receiving end? I'd be interested to hear of any usage tips or indeed any tales of woe.

BTW, due to us having our NHS, I will get the concentrator at no cost to me!

Regards,

Jay.?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I don't use one for medical reasons, but I have been using oxycons for all of my metalworking needs for decades. It is much cheaper than buying and hauling around gas tanks to get refilled. If I were to have to use one for medical reasons, I would think the same, better to just have to keep the filters changed than to have to get bottles refilled.

The biggest drawback is just the noise. They have made them smaller and less noisey over the years, but it still has a hummmmmm to them. If you have a medical supply place where you can pick out your oxycon, just ask them to run one for you to see before you get it to see if it will be too loud for you. Just my $0.02.

Take care of yourself. Yikes, I hate needles.

 

[ashdigger]

My late father, no foreshadowing, had a concentrator and it worked great for him. It was placed in a central location and the tube was super long so he could go anywhere in the house.

As a side note he preferred the fish tail or the PLip

 

[mso489]

Hope you get this done with minimum discomfort. I'm glad NHS is on the job.

 

[mikestanley]

In my experience, Phlebotomy is an art, more than a science. Hopefully, next time, you get "Tom Eltang" and not "me" for your procedure!

Mike S.

 

[captainsousie]

A concentrator has worked well for my mum for the last 20 years. The only issues are that you are tethered most of the time and it can lead to nasty nosebleeds and other issues due to dehydration of the mucous membranes. The second part will happen with bottles as well. Wishing you the best sir.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Due to my ever falling SpO2 readings (concentation of oxygen in the blood) due to severe COPD (from smoking RYO for thirty odd years) I have come to the conclusion that I need supplementary oxygen. (Typical readings for a healthy person would be between 90% and 100%, my readings go as low as 55%).

There are two options open to me, cylinder oxygen or an oxygen concentrator. The latter is the safest option as it extracts oxygen from the surrounding air on demand, much better than having a cylinder full of the stuff.

I spoke with my doctor yesterday on the matter and she agreed that a concentrator would be the best option for me. However I have to go through the dreaded 'blood gas test' where a nurse sticks a thick hypodermic needle into your wrist and moves it about until she finds the artery to extract the blood from. It has to be arterial blood for some reason. This 'blood gas test' is extremely painful and is normally taken after a local anaesthetic has been given. Last time I had it done in hospital I couldn't have the anaesthetic due to my current meds so I suppose the same will apply next time I have it ?

So, has anyone here had any experience of oxygen concentrators and if so how did they work out for the patient on the receiving end? I'd be interested to hear of any usage tips or indeed any tales of woe.

BTW, due to us having our NHS, I will get the concentrator at no cost to me!

Regards,

Jay.?

Sorry to hear this Jay, sounds like a painful procedure.
I hope it isn't too bad and everything goes alright?.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Right on guys, thanks for the speedy replies. Due to me being pretty much stuck twixt either my desk chair or my sofa, I reckon on setting the device somewhere central so it can be used at either location. I'm aware they can be a tad noisy but am assured that has improved over the years. One recommendation was an American made device called 'Devilbiss' I think! Whatever the name, I do know they are NHS approved.

As to which method of delivery (nasal cannula or mask) I will likely use the mask as I don't need to use it all of the time, perhaps just prior to and after doing something such as getting up to make a coffee, use the bathroom etc. It is simple tasks such as those that I struggle with. Anything more complex and I just don't bother anymore and that is not how I like things to be.

Mike, phlebotomy is indeed an art, some can do it without me feeling a thing, most sadly not so.

Regards,

Jay.?.

 

[captainsousie]

They make for a great white noise machine so it may help with sleep.

 

[Merton]

Jay, sending good thoughts and wishes to you.
Bill

 

[anotherbob]

However I have to go through the dreaded 'blood gas test' where a nurse sticks a thick hypodermic needle into your wrist and moves it about until she finds the artery to extract the blood from. It has to be arterial blood for some reason.

Jay.?

because that is how the circulatory system works. It goes to the lungs gets oxygen and then goes everywhere else in the arteries when it's traded the oxygen off it goes back in veins. But yeah that's not a fun process.

 

[olkofri]

because that is how the circulatory system works. It goes to the lungs gets oxygen and then goes everywhere else in the arteries when it's traded the oxygen off it goes back in veins. But yeah that's not a fun process.

And even from the wrist the oxygen concentration would have been reduced somewhat already. But I don't think anyone would want a phlebotomy of the aorta.

 

[anotherbob]

And even from the wrist the oxygen concentration would have been reduced somewhat already. But I don't think anyone would want a phlebotomy of the aorta.

I bet there is some horrible condition that involves that treatment.

 

[macaroni]

. . . my readings go as low as 55% . . . .

My Goodness! How do you function? I feel for you and am sorry! Good thought going your way (actually, all that's a "Hail M....").

I had a reading in the low 60's for a spell years ago and couldn't get a long sentence out without multiple breaths--forget about me walking the length of 1 city block! I'm So Sorry for you, and DO HOPE YOUR oxygen improves!
kindly
mike
ps--do you smoke a pipe now and then, and if so--is it hard to keep it going? Just wondering--not trying to be a pain in the A$$ or pry?

 

[maduromadness]

As the person who sticks your arm (not a nurse) respiratory therapist I can agree that those SpO2 are not good. Supplemental oxygen is needed to prevent further complications and to keep you in good health. Indeed arterial blood is the only way to verify the actual amount of oxygen in your blood. Not pain free but preventing more painful intervention if you require acute hospitalization. Stay as healthy as you can and exercise your body, mind, and lungs to the extent you can.

 

[crawdad]

As a former phlebotomist and now working in the lab, getting an ABG from the artery in the wrist is done that way because it’s simply the best way to to do so. You can get one done from your groin but do you want to go that route? As for your levels, maybe it’s time to give up the habit. I’d rather breathe than struggle to breathe, but that’s just me, friend.

 

[jaytex1969]

Jay did quit smoking some time ago.

He continues to hang around here for the same reasons children like to visit the zoo.... ?



(#2)

 

[scloyd]

My father-in-law had a concentrator set up next to his recliner where he spent most of his time. He was fine with it.

Wishing you all the best Jay.

 

[prairiedruid]

My wife has an oxygen concentrator that she uses more and more as her disease progresses. It is a bit noisy but I have it in the room outside her bedroom and just have tubing going along the wall to her bed. We have oxygen tanks for when she leaves the house (only twice last year) plus the tanks are good for when the power goes out. Her machine has a bubbler that I put distilled water in the hydrate her air.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"My Goodness! How do you function?"

If the truth be known Macaroni I barely function at all. The simplest of tasks now defeat me so often as not I don't even attempt them. Things that I have to do have to be thought out well in advance such as if I am going to the bathroom, I can take my now empty coffee cup to my kitchen thereby only having to get out of my seat once to accomplish two tasks. The hardest task by far is getting dressed in a morning, especially the pulling on of my underwear, socks and jeans.

And yes, talking can also make me breathless though thankfully I don't have much occasion to talk.

Had the respiratory nurse call me this morning to make an appointment for Monday next. I asked if I had to have the dreaded 'blood gas test ' and sure enough she said yes ?

BTW, as Jay pointed out above, I hung up my pipe quite some while ago. I did try it again circa last September just to see if I could manage a bowl or two a day but no, it just made matters much much worse.

Regards,

Jay.?