Just put on oxygen and need some experienced advise on how best to all this,hoses,tanks,small tanks.

[ronaldr1945]

hi i'm ron and new here. i was just put on oxygen,i don't know what to expect or if the end is near,dr. is so vague about all that. anyway i am having a hard time adjusting to this situation. i'm stumbling,tripping,its a real challenge but nothing i can do but adjust. can't come up with an easy way to engineer the hoses etc. any advice i would really welcome. thank you all

ron jackson

[RibvanRey]

Hi Ronald and welcome to the community. Being prescribed Oxygen has Nothing to do with being near the end. It is because not enough is getting from your lungs into your blood so as to keep your ogans healthy... heart and brain esp.

I can't tell you what the proceedings are in USA as it is all organised by the NHS here in Britain.

It is nothing to be frightened of. I have been using 4 litres per min for years.

Regards Rib

[peege]

Hi Ron, warm welcome to the British Lung Foundation forum. I know very little about O2.

Just wanted to say there are several folks on here who use it, they'll be along soon as they wake and begin their days. I've read many encouraging posts about how people cope with the tubing, cannula and adjusting.

To show you the possibilities, look up the posts of dall05 who's been on O2 for some time and on the UK lung transplant list. He's amazing.

Good luck Ron. Peege

[lynnekay]

Try putting the hose behind you (I think of it as the electric wire for my lawn mower) and maybe clipping it to the back of your trousers so it stays out of your way. I have just had big concentrators put into my home and long, long tubes which are really in the way, but I plan to put some hooks on the door frames to loop them over.

I'm hoping that this will keep the excess off the floor and be easy to unloop when I want to go further

Hope these ideas help.

[caroleoctober in reply to lynnekay]

Hello LynneKay

You don't need to put hooks up yourself, your oxygen supplier will put it around the house with clips rather like electric cables, if you are going to different rooms you can have a switch box fitted by your concentrator to switch to different rooms. My supplier is Air Liquid and they came and did it when I asked.

[lynnekay in reply to caroleoctober]

I'm sure BOC will do this but I thought I might see how I get on to begin with. I've used Command hooks which are easy to put up and take down, and I'll see how I get on like this, but may ask BOC to help me later. Thank you for your advice though

[Scud]

Hi Ron welcome, being on oxygen does not mean the end is near , I have copd also had lung cancer I am on oxygen 24/7 and have been for a few years now. I still lead a very enjoyable and active life I will be travelling abroad shortly for a well earned break. You will adjust as time goes by please stay positive. I have detanglers on my tubing which helps as it follows me around the rooms, discuss the problems with your supplier, but I am sure you will get lots of helpful advice on here it's a wonderful forum

Good luck and hope you find solutions

Love Sue x

[hallentine47 in reply to Scud]

Hi Sue. How do you get on arranging trips abroad. Do you fly or sail or coach travel? I am advised not to fly so I look to sailing but this can be expensive. I haven't tried a long coach tour yet. Tony x

[Scud in reply to hallentine47]

Hi Tony, I fly it is a 2 hr flight time, I hire a small concentrator from a company called O2. I stay with a friend in Spain and have oxygen delivered to her villa. After saying all that I have not been since I was diagnosed with lung cancer but I have finished my treatment I am due to see the consultant in August when I will ask about flying again. I am staying positive because I feel really good, so fingers crossed I will be on my way in October. Hope this helps you and will let you know how I get on. Good luck with planning your holiday

Love Sue x

[hallentine47 in reply to Scud]

Thanks Sue, thats really helpful Tony x

[LadyoRockee in reply to Scud]

What are detanglers?

[Scud in reply to LadyoRockee]

Hi ladyorockee, detanglers are a small white screw type connector what they do is split your long tube and reconnect it with one of these devices to stop it from getting tangled up they really do work ask you oxygen supplier to fit them. My tube is fairly long I live in a bungalow so I have it long enough to follow me from room to room. Hope this helps. If you need any more info please feel free to ask.

Love Sue

[Toci in reply to LadyoRockee]

directhomemedical.com/00184...

[LadyoRockee in reply to Toci]

Thanks, TOCI...I will ask my O2 supplier for a couple of them! Would be nice to have! They should be provided in the start up package, along with a backpack...

~Bonita~

[mskpjb]

No Ron the end isn`t nigh ! I`m only on ambulatory oxygen but there are good people on here who`ll advise you. Your oxygen supplier`s technician should also be of help to you. Honestly you`ll wonder why you were so bothered in a week or two. Keep smiling, Sheila x

[O2Trees]

Hi Ron and welcome. Not enough oxygen is getting from your lungs into you blood, so the best way to think about oxygen imo is to see it as a replacement medication, similar to having insulin if you are diabetic, or thyroxine if you have an under active thyroid. That's all it is really - a medication although visually, of course, more evident. Your health will depend far more on your ability to exercise as best you can within your capabilities, and having a good diet. No reason why you can't live a good life. Good luck

[Michellesuss01]

Hi Ron...your oxygen supplier is usually very helpful with any questions you have. Although, I put my cannula behind my head. I don't like the hose hanging from my neck. It's too cumbersome.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Welcome ronaldr1945 to the BLF site. You will find us all to be a" united field of information ". Some of us are experts on advice, information and others give us medical knowledge and helpful suggestions. The main thing is, you've found us. I am on oxygen (15 hrs daily I.e. not when asleep) and still have my daily moan about the tubing that goes with me around my flat! I've thought about asking the O2 supplier to install the tubes through the walls,which can be done, but in fairness,my flat is quite small and on one level so I can't really see any great benefit. Perhaps you should chat to your Resp. Nurse and see what she advises. Hope you have a good weekend.

[nancye]

Hi, USA user here, on O2 4 years. No major problems but it can be a pain. I don't try vacuuming or ironing with it on because of tangling. The long hose does catch on things; I find it best to pick up the whole coil of it and spool it out as I go. You should of course not cook with open flame (some say not at all but I do on electric range, just careful.)

My oxygen company is notoriously difficult to communicate with. Be very very persistent if you have this situation and need something different. What my company provided for portable oxygen was quite heavy and lasted only two hours, and I had to really push to get options. They did provide a home fill unit, which some apparently do not get, and to my mind is essential.

On the whole, using oxygen has been very beneficial and certainly worth the inconvenience.

Best wishes, Nancy

[lynnekay in reply to nancye]

I discussed my needs with the O2 technician who made some suggestions as to what would suit me, but I had to go back to the O2 assessor to prescribe a change in supply. Had no problem, just talked it through on the phone and he was really helpful

[ronaldr1945]

I want to thank you all so much for your helpful information and encouragement. Really means alot to me. Your a great group that i will be following on a consistent basis,thank you again.

USA- ron

[Bella124]

Call your oxygen supplier they will send someone out that will help you. Best of luck