hi all. could anyone tell me if you are on home oxygen do you have to be on it all the time thanks

[smudge101]

[kimmy59]

Depends oxygen is another prescription, so you normally have a assessment to see how much and when you need it. I'm using oxygen because I was in hospital with Pneumonia I'm meant to have my assessment but you have to be infection and antibiotic and steroid free, but I've had three infections since so still waiting.

Do you have a Community Respiratory team to ask.

Kim

[stone-UK]

Hi

Short / long term oxygen therapy.

Is up to 16 per day.

Ambulatory oxygen is for exercise or when out and about.

Both require assessment by your local hospital oxygen team.

Arterial blood gases for short/ long tem oxygen therapy .

6 minute walk test or similar for Ambulatory,

Oxygen can only be supplied under prescription.

[maggie44]

Good answer Stone. I was on 8 hours at 2lpm - now gone up to 15 hours at 2lpm because blood gasses down when oxygen nurse checked couple of weeks ago. Ambulatory is as needed 6lpm.

Maggie

[happyfeet59]

On 15hrs per day (nightime +) @ 5Lpm. To keep organs healthy. My sats at rest went down to below 88%. also 4Lpm on ambulatory cylinders, continuous. To be assessed for 'on demand' in 2 weeks. I use my 15hrs when I want/need to. So may not need it 24/7 - depends on assessment. Once on it - well I'm pretty sure I will be on it now for life. But some people do come off it, I believe.

[ginachron in reply to happyfeet59]

For the last 7 years I have been prescribed 16 hrs but have now been told to reduce this (no hours specified) due to improved blood gas/sats. So if the lungs adapt or cope better, your prescription can change. Saying that, I've been plagued by infections this year and as yet haven't been able to reduce by much. I'm now awaiting further assessment. x

[SusieQs]

I too had a bout of pneumonia, I was given oxygen to use at home when I came home from hospital because my sats were below the acceptable level. I used it for a few weeks during the day but gradually got a bit better and I don`t have to use it at all now. The respiratory nurses have always monitored my oxygen use.

[Hidden]

Oxygen is as prescribed by a medical professional, its not a guessy guessy and its not the same prescribed dose for every one.

[Hidden]

My husband has been prescribed oxygen at 2 litres for exercise during pulmonary rehab now he has finished the course there is a concern about his sats and is being referred for an arterial gas test at the hospital which will determine his blood gas levels. But this was prescribed by the respiratory team. Hope that helps. Take care TAD xx

[linsabout]

I have a big tank of oxygen at the top of my stairs to use when im doing my housework. As yet i don't need it at any other time

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I'm on 15 hours at 1/2L/min. Mainly use it at night when I'm asleep.

[2malinka in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Me too. I was prescribed oxy in feb this year after 2 admissions to the hospital for chest infections. A COPD Nurse who visited me for my 3 month referral was very blunt when I asked her if I could ever be weaned off is saying ''Oh no, its for life.' This scared me until it occurred to me that she was not God. Although I am a mild CO2 retainer. I am hoping that I might eventually not need the oxygen.

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to 2malinka]

As has been said, lungs can adapt. I was recently in hospital with a lung infection and had to have 4L/min. Now I'm back to mu 1/2 L/min. I'm happy with that !

[Hidden]

I am on 24 hours oxygen at 2lts. Use bottles during the day and compressor during the night. All approve by my oxygen nurse on prescription .

[Baldie]

The simple answer is no you don't have to be in all day. When assessed you will be told when and how to use O2 but I would advise liquid O2 for out side use it gives far greater freedom.

[jojam]

I was discharged from hospital on 2ltrs 16hours plus 8hours ambulatory this was in 2009. I am now on 1ltr for 16hours a day plus1 to 2ltr ambulatory as required.as my condition improved following Pulmonary Rehab & physio I no longer need to stay on my oxygen all the time but have to have at least 16hours a day to protect internal organs. You need to use oxygen as prescribed by your respiratory team. We are all different.

Best wishes

Jo

[Mavary]

Hi! My husband has oxygen on number four if that makes sense and uses it when he needs it. The only time he is ok is when he sits and does nothing.

[gerry1950]

Have consentrator and home fill system use when at sleep and when at exercise works out on oxygen 15 hours a day 2lt Gerry

[becraftygirl]

you should have me told how long and you have to be measured mine is just six hrs at night i was on 2 now 0.5 very low dose u just cant tk it as u want too you should ask nurse