please can anyone tell me if it is possible to holiday travelling in a motorhome.

[fandango]

I have copd and use a concentrator + cpap.would appreciate any advice.

[jabber]

Hi - In my opinion motorhome holidays are the best kind for people with our condition! We've been motorhoming for 15 years now. I was diagnosed with COPD 6 years ago and put on oxygen, then later BiPap for CO2 retention.

Initially I just had a portable oxygen concentrator which plugged into the vehicle 12volt while we travelled, or an electricity socket when on site. When the bipap was added to the treatment we purchased a larger concentrator to give me continuous flow. It sits in the shower compartment and as we usually use site facilities this is no problem.

The reason we decided on a motorhome in the first place was that we enjoy touring round and not staying in one place for too long. It’s easy to load up with everything you need, then just travel wherever you want to. We’ve been to France, Spain and Portugal, all over England and up to Scotland, and out to the Western Isles.

The only difference COPD has made is that we now tend to always use camp sites as we need the electricity, but we are considering a generator so that we can go back to just parking up anywhere it is permitted. We now have a 50cc scooter instead of bikes, and I have a mobility scooter too, so that I can join my husband on some 'walks'. But this winter we tried a friend’s electric bike and were very impressed – so watch this space…

I'm pretty sure that a few other people on this forum also have motorhomes so I expect they'll be along with comments later.

I've gone on a bit – but I hope it helps! All the best, Jan

[fandango in reply to jabber]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.Have since looked at portable concentrators and am confused over what type I will need didnt know there were so many different ones.I need continuous flow and would prefer if possible a lightweight one to carry as when able too I like walking.I only use cpap during night.Do you know if anyone will advise on requirements and also do I need a prescription to purchase. once again thank you for your time

[stone-UK in reply to fandango]

Hi

Any reputable company will request a prescription before sale.

Speak to your oxygen team, many oxygen providers are updating their equipment , they may be able to offer you a practical solution to cover home and away.

Ther should be a work around without haveing to purchase.

[Bryju124 in reply to jabber]

This is great, we have a motorhome which we love to go away in however I was getting concerned now been put on oxygen that our roaming would have to cease, did you buy your portable oxygen concentrator or get it from your oxygen supplier? If you bought it could you recommend type please

[jabber in reply to Bryju124]

I bought my concentrator, which is an Airsep Freestyle in 2008 from Pure O2 in Manchester. In 2011 we had to replace it and bought a reconditioned model from the same company at half the price of a new one. However I think this one will need replacing very soon (it's working ok but alarms don't always sound which is worrying) so it's been an expensive option – but worth it for me. I've been happy with the Freestyle, but have no experience of any other portables, so can't offer any comparisons.

I've heard though that Air Liquide, who supply my main concentrator and oxygen cylinders will now supply a portable concentrator if it is prescribed by a respiratory consultant/nurse – their glossy brochure confirms this. I shall be requesting the necessary form next time I visit the Respiratory Unit and we’ll see if Air Liquide live up to their brochure promise…

[Offcut]

I have been told that I should have a test 2 weeks before I fly to see if I need O2 but then I have to make sure that I can get the airline to allow me to have it. Which seems like a lot of hassle, so I can see that working only problem is my wife is not keen on camping?

I have looked at HS trains to Barcelona?

[SecondLife in reply to Offcut]

You could take the ferry to Spain, nice relaxing mini cruise

[Offcut in reply to SecondLife]

I can only find ones to Santander I would like one to Barcelona or Malaga. There are cruises that go to them but a Ferry would be good if you know of any??

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

Try contacting cruise lines direct.

The customer services may be able to help you.

Have seen passengers disembark

part way through a cruise as well as embark ......so you never know.!!.

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

worth asking methinks

[coastal1 in reply to Offcut]

Have heard some cargo /freight shipping companies take a limited number of pasengers .....won't get same facilitie as cruise liners ....but a cheaper option . Possibly read about this in newspaper article years ago can't remember any details but might be worth an internet search.

[Offcut in reply to coastal1]

I saw something about that on the TV but cannot seem to get the search right.

[coastal1 in reply to Offcut]

Just Google passenger accommodation on cargo ships ....gives lots of links. ...... including one to the Guardian article I must have read in 2008 !......doesn't time fly.

[Bryju124 in reply to Offcut]

Hi off cut, lots of campsites in France and Spain have cabins to rent most are quite reasonable have a look on acsi campsites

[Offcut in reply to Bryju124]

Wife needs convincing on camping

[SecondLife]

I would say go for it, as fandango has said use the sites that have reliable electricity and there is no problem, even in France you could stop in the Aires and pay approximately 10E for one nights including electricity and water. We have just returned from a delightful 10 day trip around Normandy and only had one problem with electricity but solved that by using the power from the solar panel. Enjoy yourself.

[SecondLife]

Hi, if you are happy driving you could go into Bilbao and then drive to Barcelona think it is about 1hr 30mins, nice easy roads over there

[out-for-lunch]

of course you can motorhome with COPD. We do every year for at least a couple of months & have done for the past 20+ years & see no reason why I'd stop ..... & I'm advanced COPD with an FEV1 of 27.7%, so pretty bad.

We go over through the tunnel, wander down through France only ever using Aires - & then usually turn left down towards Italy or Croatia & Greece.

We have 2x110ah leisure batteries, a 12v/240v inverter, a 90ah solar & a Sterling B2B charger - no mains hook-up needed. I use the inverter to charge my scooter & electric bikes whilst we drive & to run my Inogen Oxy generator....... but we don't watch TV, which tends to eat a lot of power.

I use a Travelscoot scooter ...... it folds up to nothing much bigger than a folding chair & easily slides into the under-bed locker ...... it's the lightest/smallest disability scooter in the world & is absolutely fantastic .... & pretty funky & an absolute godsend for motorhoming if you need a scooter.

travelscoot.eu/

We have a fixed bed motorhome ..... it saves a lot of effort assembling a bed out of seats & it means the beds always there if I need a nap during the day & Sue's still got the seats to sit on etc.

You'll love it. Looking forward to our next trip is what keeps me going ..........