Oxygen use whilst showering or bathing

[Kali0]

Hi - Joined site today - I am looking for any tips for my mum, on how best to shower or take a bath or get dressed whilst using oxygen from an unplugged concentrator. Or even how to do anything to avoid getting tangled in the pipe or dropping a small inogen 3? machine I bought myself or falling over the larger machine I got from NHS. She is 87and not strong .

[Ian1967]

Hi Kali0, I use my Inogen One G3 when I shower, my shower cubicle is the larger size but open half way, so it has no door, I place my Inogen outside the shower with just cannula and tubing inside behind the glass screen.

When I shower I was told by my oxygen nurse to turn my oxygen flow up to 3, my usual setting for when I’m standing up is 2, the higher flow is to compensate for shower flow and heat of the water.

I would imagine your mum could use the Inogen in the bath as well, just use a longer cannula and place the Inogen further away from the bath, I would contact your mums oxygen nurse about what flow settings to use in the bath or shower.

You could try using the cannula worn backwards, so the tubing is dangling down your back rather than your front, this makes it easier to avoid getting tangled when you get out of the Bath or Shower.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Kali0 in reply to Ian1967]

Thanks Ian - I will pass that one - very useful info!

[Osha in reply to Ian1967]

Hello Ian I have a slightly different question about Imogen 3. I spent a lot of money buying one. Unfortunately I find it difficult to continue breathing through my nose while walking Any tips on that

[Ian1967 in reply to Osha]

Hi Osha, I would advise you to contact your respiratory Nurse or Specialist, when I got my first Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) off the NHS. my Respiratory Nurse brought it to my house to check if I was able to trigger the POC whilst walking.

I was given an Inogen One G2 POC, all Inogen POC's are Pulse Flow machines, as are most other POC's, Pulse Flow machines are triggered by the POC detecting pulse when you breathe, these differ from Oxygen bottles and Stationary Oxygen Concentrators, which are Continuous Flow this means until you turn the bottle or concentrator off the oxygen carries on flowing.

Maybe you are not able to trigger the oxygen flow with a Pulse Flow POC. You can get Continuous Flow POC's, but they are much bigger and heavier, they also have much shorter battery life, also because of their size and weight they really need wheeling on a trolley, so they are a lot less practical.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Osha in reply to Ian1967]

Thanks so much for info. I thinkI’ve wasted money there

[Kali0 in reply to Osha]

Would using the little "mouth and nose mask" work instead of nose attachment - so you can breath by mouth when walking? Not tried it - just a thought about nose breathing and mouth breathing aids.

[Hidden]

Hi Kali if you look right Related Posts, you may well find lot of tips there, I am sure others will be along shortly to offer further advice, in addition don't hesitate to contact the BLF helpline for further help and support.

blf.org.uk/

If your mother has a visiting community matron or nurse I am sure they will be able to help you and advise the best way around things within her home.

The oxygen supplier should also be able to advise you on safety in the home with oxygen. Go to your mother's supplier website or contact them directly for further information.

Best wishes BK

[CyprusPat]

Hi. I’ve found my bath lift invaluable. Just put machine on floor. Also less energy used.

[Oshgosh]

Getting used to oxygen takes a while.Have to concentrate on not falling ver the tube. I briefly remove the cannula when I get in the bath.

I can’t use the shower,as I suffer from dizziness.

I e got an Imogen portable concentrator.its too heavy for me,it upset my bad back.,yhusband put it on a trolley for me.i take it outside occasionally,but takes a while to wipe italldown afterwards.

Have you looked at the British Lung Foundation website? There’s a load of information on their website,you can also ring them for advice.

I hope this helps a little