Jenny

[jennyharley7]

I have COPD and have just been put on oxygen 16 hours a day

I want to buy a portable concentrator but need some advice what to buy

[jimmyg23]

It all depends how many litres per minute you are on and whether it is continuous flow or on demand plus you need to respiratory nurse they are quite a few good ones on the market at moment not cheap but worth it if you like to get out and about I love my poc it is inogen but I am only on 2 litre per which makes a big difference to me for taking on holidays and on plane best move I ever done so go for it

[jennyharley7 in reply to jimmyg23]

Thanks I am on 1 litre

[stone-UK]

Hi

Firstly it is ill advised to publish personal contact details on a open forum, far better to use the PM system.

For your POC you will need advice from your respiratory nurse as to suitability, you will need a six minute walk test to determine the flow rate required, it Is likely to be higher than your resting requirements.

When you have all the relevant information you will also need a copy of your ambulatory oxygen needs.

You may be suitable for liquid oxygen some have a light weight flask 2.2 kg

Your oxygen provider will also do POC but they are slightly heavy at about 4.5/5kg and come with a trolley

If you do decide to purchase your own.

Have a look at

Pure O2 or Intermedical.

healthoxygen.com/index.php/

intermedicaldirect.co.uk/pr...

[Toci]

The best person to advise you is your respiratory team. Then check if what you need is available through your oxygen provider, as many provide portables at no cost to the patient.

[jennyharley7]

Oxygen provider can't supply a portable for going on a cruise

[Toci in reply to jennyharley7]

Oh, you didn't mention a cruise.

[Tatters]

I took delivery last week of an ActivOx 4L, as one person had described it as there 'Freedom Machine', yes I can see where they are coming from, it is a massive improvement on the portable cylinders. I had two hospital appointments yesterday, a CT Scan on my bowels in the morning and a Chest Clinic in the afternoon, I took it with me to both and it was great. They are not cheap, being around £2,500 with the extra battery but I am well pleased. Weight could be a problem for some people being around 5 lb. There are other brands around but I need up to 4 lp so this one is ideal. They can also be used overnight but not for everyone, think it depends if you breath through your mouth rather than you nose when you are asleep. I haven't tried it yet.

I am on 24 hr oxygen at 2 lp and 4 lp when active, I am well chuffed . There was a fault with the additional battery when I got it but a call to Intermedical and at 8.15 am the next morning there was a man at the door with a replacement battery and he also collected the duff one. I thought the rapid response was great. All the best in your choice if you do go down the road of purchasing your own.

[jennyharley7 in reply to Tatters]

Thanks for your help

[warwickstag]

Take a while before jumping in. If you're only recently diagnosed then maybe hire a portable for the cruise, see how you get on and take it from there. Do you need to sleep on oxygen, because if you do, you will need continuous flow rather than pulsed on demand flow. Since the cost of these machines can run into £000's then it is important to get one that will grow with you, and not just deliver what you need now. Think into the future as your requirements may well change with time.

[jennyharley7]

Thanks

[Catnip]

The NHS oxygen supplier may not _think_ that they supply oxygen for a cruise, but I took 8 cylinders with me on a cruise without any problems. The cruise staff took all of them bar one for safe storage and delivered to my cabin when I requested a new one. "Ask no questions..."

[jennyharley7]

Thanks