Oxygen concentrators and oximeter readings.

[Chid]

My partner has been looking for an oxygen concentrator. So far he has tried two but when he has used them the oxygen level on his oximeter does not go up, Should it rise, and how quickly. Can anyone reccommend a decent portable concentrator please. Thanks.

[skischool]

Your husband needs to take advise from whoever has prescribed him oxygen?

1. He will need to know whether he is a suitable candidate for pulse breathing and the rate it needs to be set at in terms of litres per minute as most portable concentrators work on pulse breathing.

2.Some poc's do operate on continous flow but they are quite large and bulky and often require a trolley

3.Other smaller poc's operate on both but only deliver a very small lpm on continuous setting.

4.No reputable equipment seller will sell you a device without an official oxygen prescription.

As advised please take advice from his oxygen provider first.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruffy

[Spacecat1]

If under a hospital . They can arrange a oxygen concentrator and the company will come out show you the ropes. (That's if in UK)

[gingermusic]

I am very worried that you are trying to use something not officially prescribed. You cannot just buy a concentrator and use it hoping to up your oxygen levels as you could end up with him becoming seriously ill. If oxygen is prescribed a machine will be provided and set at the required level and he will be shown how to use it and for how many hours

[skischool in reply to gingermusic]

Not all trusts supply POC's for ambulatory oxygen needs,but disreagrding what they supply the gentleman mentioned should undergo a 6 min walk test with o2 monitored throughout the test to determine what ltrs per min are required to maintain safe levels,in my case i had to prove to my respiratory team that my privately purchased Inogen one g3 set at 2 lpm on pulse breathing covered my needs and on a later test that lpm was upped to 4 which goes to show that the process needs to be monitored quite regularly,at least once every 6 months.

[Chid in reply to skischool]

Thank you for your replies. He has not been prescribed oxygen. He currently uses a nebuliser up to 6 times per day. He is 17 miles away from the nearest hospital and the reason for a concentrator is that, if he should suffer a further COPD exacerbation and be struggling to breathe, that he would have an oxygen supply at hand to use until the emergency service gets to him. A previous attack landed him in an induced coma for 2 weeks and he is convinced that a further attack will see him off. He is also aware that during this current crisis that he will not be treated in an ICU for any Covid symptoms and he wished to have a concentrator for peace of mind. Skischool - I don't think he could manage a 6 minute walk. Apart from his COPD he has other physical problems that make walking or standing extremely painful. He doesn't get a lot of input from his GP practice - at least not for his breathing. It's telling that they expect him to attend the surgery for a Lithium test during this crisis - when he should be shielding at home as being at high risk from infection. They also know that he has no transport and that I have to travel 17 miles on public transport to borrow a car to take him the half mile to the surgery and back home. I then have to drive the 17 miles back and then get the bus back home. As his sole carer I don,t want to risk using public transport at the moment. The NHS can be wonderful - but individual GPs are often very selective in how they treat indidividuals.

[Oshgosh in reply to skischool]

Silly question ' I know,but I’m not too good lung wise at present.

I have to have a face to face appointment,an oxygen assessment,a sputum test,I think they are checking for paeudomas( hope it’s spelt right)

If I’m prescribed oxygen,do I get a choice I f what Iam given.

My dad used to have a home concentrator.

It worked quite well for him,if I am prescribed oxygen I would need some thing light and portable for when I go out and about.

I have bad shoulders,so can’t. carry heavy weights.

Don’t nt really know where to start researching.

Thanks for reading this

[skischool in reply to Oshgosh]

It all depends what you are prescribed oxygen for,if it's prescribed as long term oxygen therapy,then you will need to take it for a minimum of 16hrs a day at whatever rate is require.using a home concentrator.If it is prescribed as ambulatory,i.e for your sats dropping when you mobilise you could be given o2 cylinders which are quite heavy to carry unless you chose the child size which doean't last very long or you could ask for a portable concentrator which you can carry over your shoulder in a supplied bag,you need to discuss all your requirements and options with the oxygen nurse doing the assessment.

[Oshgosh in reply to skischool]

Thank You

[stayinga in reply to skischool]

I am seeking a concentrator that can remove oxygen from the air but none I have so far investigated can do this................. I do not believe it is possible to obtain pure medical grade oxygen with a machine ....sadly most remove nitrogen only .... stay safe

[skischool in reply to stayinga]

i am afraid you are incorrect in your statement.oxygen concentrators both purify the air through filtration then deliver medical grade oxygen to the recipient.if you do not believe me try checking out Inogens site in the USA for a full description of how they do this.

Regards

[skischool]

Chid,a horrible set of circumstances for you i am afraid but the appliction of oxygen is just plain right dangerous without knowing if he retains carbon dioxide,you could in fact finish him off with,if his sats fall below the safe level of 88-92% recommended for COPD sufferers on a regular basis then your GP needs to get local respiratory care and the oxygen nurse involved with his care,they are able to visit shielding people and will have the appropriate PPE to keep you both safe in the process of doing so.If your Gp is disinterested then i suggest you call 111 for advice because he certainly needs checking over at the moment.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x

[stayinga in reply to skischool]

as skischool says using a concentrator can result in CO2 RETENTION in the blood which leaves less room for oxygen..... inhaling concentrated CO2 along with concentrated 02 is not advisable in my opinion ..... you need to inhale clean pure oxygen from LOX or bottles ............. staying alive and safe

[skischool in reply to stayinga]

That is not what i said,oxygen concenratraors provide medical grade oxygen but the level you require it is ascertained by your prescriber and it should not be administered without a prescription.

[Chid]

Thanks. I'll pass your info on to him.

[Oldspark]

Hi there

I am on a concentrator and oxygen cylinders, 24/7 so I am connected to oxygen all the time.

Oxygen is normally on prescription as are the portable devices, my oximeter levels show 91-95% when at rest and cylinder set to 2ltrs/min.

But if I move to a different room my saturation levels drop to 45-68% so I have to raise the oxygen level to 4 LTRs/min.

Check with your respitory clinic.

Hope it helps?

[stayinga in reply to Oldspark]

If the CO2 level in the air in the room is above the average of around 450 ppm then it will affect your stats as you are inhaling far more CO2 which your lungs will also need to get rid of ........ I use a CO2 ANALYSER to check the levels in rooms if stats are dropping...... if above 800 ppm open widows and doors to get fresh air in the room.. above 1200 ppm we >>> LEAVE THE ROOM.............. stay safe

[stayinga]

the only oxygen that is clean is from bottled oxygen or LOX ....... concentrators can only remove nitrogen leaving all other gases concentrated ..... STAY SAFE