Oxygen

[2malinka]

Not feeling too good today so I was thinking of using oxygen in the shower but I My COPD Nurse said not to. I have noticed that some people on this site use oxy in the shower?

Would welcome any advice.

Regards

Malinka

[stone-UK]

Hi

I use oxygen in shower, take of to wash hair.

Also use blow and go breathing technique.

Stop to breath in, perform action or task whilst breathing out.

What was the reason given for not using in shower?

I use ambulatory oxygen for exercise and walking.

Showering and dressing is high level exertion.

[2malinka in reply to stone-UK]

Hi Stone

Thanks for replying. I use 1/2 litre min 15 hours daily. I have a concentrator which is plugged into electricity. Suppose the nurse thought I might blow myself up! Maybe I should use one of the oxygen canisters?

Regards

Malinka

[pollyjj in reply to 2malinka]

Do you have ambulatory oxygen?

polly xx

[Mendy in reply to stone-UK]

Hi stone, what sats do you try to keep your oxygen level while sitting and walking?

[stone-UK in reply to Mendy]

Hi

At the moment I am 92 O2 and 88 pulse. No oxygen.

On oxygen I start at 96 after walking drops to 92, a level of 89 is not uncommon but not of any real concern. What you need is the recovery time which equals rest time.

For me dropping from 96 to 92 requires resting for one and half minutes to return to 96.

Any level between 88/92 is considered acceptable at rest or exertion.

It is important to rest when ever necessary and not over do it.

[Mendy in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you. So while walking even using oxygen, 91-92 is ok? I am asking, because soon we will get the portable POC and need to know which pulse to set it on. We started another course of steroids and pulse went down to 70th, usually it is 82-87 sitting. But sats dont go up

[stone-UK in reply to Mendy]

Hi

Set it on pulse setting as per your prescription , mine is 4lpm.

[2malinka]

Hi Polly

I use 1/2 litre min 15 hours daily. However, I use it almost 24/7 since Severe Pulmonary Hypertension was added to my bag of woes: Severe COPD and high blood pressure.

I called the British Oxygen Company and they advised me not to use in shower in case water got into tubing. Well, I did take the shower without oxy and Iived to tell the tale. Mind you, my heart was pounding & I did the controlled calming breathing.

Take care

Malinka

[Kathygwanny]

I am on oxygen 24/7 from a concentrator plugged into the electricity supply. There is NO danger using it in the shower, it's one of the places where you really need it whilst washing yourself and your hair.

I think your nurse needs to get her facts right.

Kathy x

[freefaller]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Don't know anything about using oxygen at all. Hope you feel better soon.

Love and hugs

Sian

xoxoxoxo

[Hidden]

Hi

My nurse told me i must use it in the shower and it really helps x

[2malinka in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mandy

Thanks for getting back to me. Lots of people on this site do use oxygen in the shower yet British Oxygen co say not to. They are probably just covering themselves. I am waiting for a call back from the BLF. Clylnder versus concentrator?

Regards

Malinka

[grneyes]

I use oxygen in the shower. Why did your nurse tell you not to? I have copd also and I have never been told not to use it.

[meglou]

Did your copd nurse tell you why you shouldn't use your oxygen in the shower? My husband always used his so I think you should be asking why.

[algil]

Most people Have to use oxygen in the shower!Use cylinder without conserver and ask engineer for an extension to your cannula it works fine.Electrical machines and water are a bad mix!!!!

[2malinka]

Thanks for the advice. I shall try with the oxygen cylinder next time.

Regards

Malinka

[Pedros]

Like a lot of others on this site, I leave my oxygen on when in the shower - I need it. Also, when I was in hospital they insisted I kept it on in the shower! Unless you shower standing on your head, I don't see how water can get into the cannula!

Peter.

[2malinka]

Thank you Pedros.

I spoke to the oxygen people and they advised me not to use it. Maybe she was just covering herself in case . Lots of people on this site seem to use oxygen in the shower. One said that I should use the cylinder instead of the concentrator. I am now waiting for somebody from the BLF to get back to me.

Thanks again

Malinka

[tanarg]

I have a standalone concentrator and use long tubing to get into the bathroom and the shower. That's one of the places I need oxygen the most. I wash my hair in the kitchen sink, but definitely take the oxygen into the shower. I've washed my hair once or twice, but it's still too much of an exertion on 2L. I could turn it up to 3L for the shower, of course, but I don't. Something psychological about it, I think.

[2malinka]

I wash my hair in the shower.  I do use oxygen about 1 and 1/1/2 litres.  I just have to take my time as sometimes my hear races and I just have to slow my breathing down.  I do everything very slowly which is hard for me as in my former breathing life, I did everything quickly. I just make sure tubing doesn't get too wet. Then I just use a towelling robe when I get out, so I can sit on toilet seat and breathe. I do have a seat in the shower.

Take care

Malinka