nasal cannula

[jeanmol]

Hi to you all

Hope you are all well ,i read post most days but haven't posted for a while been ill and in hospital but improving now i am on l.T.O.T,i have probs trying to keep the cannula in place each time i wake up its either out or upside down so cant see how i am getting the full benefit do you know any tricks to keep it in place,i couldnt wear a mask if they do them cos it would make me panic too much and i am still trying out with oramorph and loraxapam to see how it affects me ,i still drive and just got my new motorbility car and would love to get back to driving ,i have seen my respiratory nurse and she was lovely and helpful but i have to find out for myself what suits me and to be honest i am scared of the drugs ,i know it sounds silly but i am scared of taking too much and i certainly wont drive till i am 100% sure i am ok

hope you can help me

thank you jeanmol

[stone-UK]

Hi

Reference

Oramorph and Lorazepam, if you keep to the recommended dosage and do not feel drowsy, then you are ok to drive.

I take both and have had no issues.

If you embark on a long journey, take frequent rest breaks, which is recommended with or without taking medication.

[jeanmol in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone X

[Hidden in reply to stone-UK]

Hi I am on oxygen 24/7 I am prescribed lorazepam but was wondering about oramorph as was given it in hosp and it did help so I know you can only speak for yourself but you say they both work ok for you and you seem to manage ok.. I am able to drive myself but just a bit scared to at the moment for some reason .. I don't sleep very well at all and feel alot of it is worry and stress and pain . May speak to my consultant as would love a few good night sleeps .

[jeanmol in reply to Hidden]

Hi kemety.sorry I think I phrased that wrong with the meds I have been given both but as yet not found a happy medium even with the resp nurse advice Fri night took half loraxapam next morning another half and it was a rotten day dizzy and s.o.b so won't do that again she is looking into it set what I can do next so at the moment I will stick to oramorph I only take a small dose 2.25 but I darnt take it more than twice a day I live on my own so I dare not risk having bad effects so will wait for nurse s advice .I am sure there are lots of people on this brilliant site that can give you better advice .good luck .jeanmol X X

[Hidden in reply to jeanmol]

Hi jeanmol I'm afraid the reply I sent was actually for stone UK as he had mentioned lorazepam and oramorph in answer to your post and I had read his reply and thought i had replied to him so sorry about the confusion .. yes I only take lorazepam but am now going to ask about oramorph and also lorazepam seem to work quickly but at the same time wear off quickly but other tablets take longer to get into your system so the effect last a longer that's why I sleep for only a short time on lorazepam .as for the infamous cannula well i am an expert at just twisting it forward the nose part then putting it in for the night then tightening it under my neck but not too tight and it seems to stay on but at first I was waking up with it on my cheek, on my head (haven't a clue how it got there ) placed like a headband ....I think all will get better over time . So take care and hope your well mel (kemety).

[Caspiana]

Hello jeanmol , nice to see you again. I am sorry I can't help with your questions as I don't wear oxygen when I sleep. I really hope you find a solution though. I am sure others will have suggestions.

Take care.

Cas xx 🌿

[jeanmol in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you cas X

[Salmo]

Sorry cant help you but would love to hear some good suggestions as I have same problem as well as the tubing wrapped around the neck issue.

I hate masks as well and was looking into something called an oxymask mentioned on US sites. Unfortunately its not easily available in UK but seems like something that might help.

thebetteroxygenmask.com/

Might also be something that would give the nose a rest from cannulas for a few hours each day.

[Hidden]

Found this on Amazon, is it the one?

amazon.co.uk/OxyMask-1125-8...

[Salmo in reply to Hidden]

Thaks for that and yes that is the one but is very expensive like all the ones I've found over last few weeks. However, I just found this one from the oxygenstore and its a much more reasonable price

oxygenbars.co.uk/store/oxym...

Obviously anyone thinking of getting one should check with their respiratory nurse first as it will affect how much O2 you get - this is not an issue for me as I constantly have to adjust O2 flows to maintain my O2 sats.

[Hidden in reply to Salmo]

Just slightly cheaper. lol. Glad you found one.

[Salmo in reply to Hidden]

And if you add in the 30 minutes or more spent trying to use the oxygenstores on line ordering system then its probably cheaper with an amazon 1 click !!. Hope it is worth it.

[mrsmummy]

There are different makes/styles of cannula and your oxygen supplier should be able to offer you a few to try so that you can find a better fit. Ask them and ask your oxygen nurse to back you up if you need her to because oxygen not being inhaled is not much of a therapy!

[Carnival567]

I don't use oxygen at night but I have trouble during the day and stick the cannula on my cheek with some micropore tape. They also did that for me at night in hospital. It seems to work.

[MichelleT51]

Hi Jeanmol. I've been on oxygen overnight now for nearly 18 months. I used to find it really uncomfortable and kept walking up with the cannula anywhere but up my nostrils! Tried all sorts and now that I use SALTER 16 SOFT NASAL CANNULA rarely have a problem. They really are so much softer and much more pliable, so far more confortable. to wear.You can see them here but I'm sure there are may other outlets .... theoxygenstore.com/salter-1....

[jeanmol in reply to MichelleT51]

Thank you that sounds worth investigating.as I am new to oxygen I will have to check tube sizes it's all Greek to me .just may check with you later if I get stuck .thanks again jeanmol X X

[MichelleT51]

Happy to help if I can anytime. 😊

[Sjf129903]

I bought some hospital paper tape its cheap it hurts taking it off but doesn't leave a red mark and doesn't leave adhesive residue works great I woke up once and the cannula was in my mouth I was dreaming of a root beer float

[SquirrelsHolt]

Even though I've been on oxygen at home and during any activities outdoors,I've never thought about asking my oxi supplier about a different style/mould of cannular! Silly really,since its so important to have everything being as comfortable as possible etc etc. So thank you all for the links provided and advice too. It is so true,we learn something new everyday! Thanks then to stone-UK ,@michelleT51, Sjf129903 mrsmummy , Salmo , Hidden , and jeanmol for posting in the first place as it is something ive been meaning to ask for ages but kept forgetting! Many thanks and hope you all have a good weekend!

[sarcoid1234]

I use oxygen 24/7 and to keep the cannula on I put the loop over my head so that the tube is at the back and the side tubes are behind my ears. It never falls off in bed or walking around.