Portable concentrator

[Currygirl]

Hi again , I recently asked the resp team why havnt I got a written prescription for my oxegyn con entrator they said the don't do that, so if I want to buy one to take abroad how do I prove I need it, as there's nothing written, the nhs supply my concentrator. Is anyone else the same? X

[Ian1967]

Hi Currygirl, are you able to use Pulse Flow Oxygen, you would have to be tested for this by your Respiratory Nurse/Specialist?

If you are able to trigger and use Pulse Flow Oxygen, are you wanting to just hire one for a holiday abroad it will cost roughly between £400-500, and to buy one between £1.850-2.500 New, you can also buy Used, from about £1.500 upwards.

I have bought my own Inogen One G3 used for £1.500 from a member on this forum in 2018 for going abroad, I didn’t need any permits because I bought privately, but I already have an Inogen One G5 through the NHS, so knew I was fine for a Pulse Flow Oxygen Concentrator, but you do really need to discuss it with Oxygen Nurse/Specialist about your Pulse Flow Oxygen suitability.

You can get Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrator’s, but they are much heavier with a much shorter battery life, they also have have maximum flow rate of 3, whereas Pulse Flow Oxygen Concentrator’s go to a flow rate of 5 or 6 for the Inogen One G5.

Please be aware that when you travel abroad you will require a battery life of 1 and a half times your journey, not forgetting the time it takes to your destination.

If you also need Oxygen for bedtime, you will need to hire a Continuous Flow Concentratior for your holiday, no Pulse Flow Concentrator’s are suitable for bedtime use, unless you do opt for a Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator, which can simply be plugged in, in your Hotel/Apartment.

To hire Continuous Flow Concentrator will cost about £500 a week, or it was when I last enquired in February 2020, that was in Gran Canaria which unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Currygirl in reply to Ian1967]

Hi Ian 1967 I have already been given an nhs Imogen portable concentrator pulse flo when w for ambulatory use but what I was saying is that when the nurse prescribed it I had nothing in writing so how can I BUY or hire one with no proof. When I got my nhs one the rep delivered it and it's set at pulse 2, sorry if I was unclear x

[Bevvy in reply to Currygirl]

I don’t use oxygen but can’t your current provider give you something as proof? Also have you asked them if they can supply for purchase or rent something to take abroad?

[Ian1967 in reply to Currygirl]

Hi Currygirl, in that case if you want to buy one, I would recommend Intermedical, the one I bought used from a forum member here was originally bought from Intermedical and they transferred the remaining 2 and a half years warranty over to me with no problems, and they have given me excellent customer service.

If you contact them they will advise you what you need permit/prescription wise, but because you are already using the NHS Inogen POC, I wouldn’t think there’d be any problems.

To hire a POC contact healthoxygen.com/oxygen-equ...

They will be able to advise you on what permit/prescription is required from your Respiratory Nurse/Specialist.

If you need to use oxygen in flight you will need a fit to fly certificate, which your Respiratory Specialist needs to arrange, if you’re fit to fly they will give you a certificate for the airline.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Currygirl in reply to Ian1967]

Yes Thank you very helpful, I wouldn't need it on plane as I would ve sitting so would I stilĺ need a fit to fly test?

[Ian1967 in reply to Currygirl]

Have you flown without oxygen since you've been using oxygen? The reason I ask is everyone's oxygen SAT's drop when flying, and because you already have a respiratory condition which requires you to need Ambulatory Oxygen you may need it for flying.

I would contact your Respiratory Nurse/Specialist telling them you want fly and ask their advice.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[Currygirl in reply to Ian1967]

Thanks for your help I will get in touch with them although I never see nor hear from them . X

[Nettynonails in reply to Currygirl]

You need a fit to fly test every year. I'm on oxygen concentrater at home and flask for out and about. When I go abroad the lung Nurse gives me a prescription to send to wherever I'm going to get oxygen for that destination. And they give you a concentrater which also let's you fill a flask, so it is on the prescription as hours of use .hope this helps

[Currygirl in reply to Nettynonails]

Hi Thank you I didn't know that so I don't need to see GP then, what exactly is the respiratory nurse (community ) supposed to do? Mine doesn't do anything. What is a flask never heard of that for oxegyn x

[Nettynonails in reply to Currygirl]

A flask is what I fill everyday from a portable tank which is liquid oxygen for when I go out. Ask your community Nurse or oxygen Nurse to send you a copy of your prescription so you can send to whoever you get oxygen from abroad. You also have to send flight assessment and details where you are staying. Hope this helps x

[Solily]

hello! Wondering how you surgery went. I was thinking of you on April 5 th!! Hope you are doing well xx

[Currygirl in reply to Solily]

hi there I'm doing OK thanks obviously painful but I will get there, had an epidural weird sensation when the big needle goes in legs go all hot all the way up to chest and then completely dead no feeling I did get a bit panicky then I don't remember anything else x

[Solily]

Sounds like you are on your way to healing!! I cannot wait to get my surgery behind me... will be seeing a doctor about my back this week... I hope it's just a few weeks of PT and on my way to the knee!! Glad you are doing well!!!

[Millyboo710]

I bought mine without having to prove anything. I am on oxygen 24/7 and have two concentrators plus small and big cylinders on prescription. The company I bought my portable concentrator from didn’t require proof.

[Dumba in reply to Millyboo710]

Yes you can buy one . Not too exoensive. But nhs will provide

[Currygirl in reply to Millyboo710]

where did you buy it xx

[Millyboo710 in reply to Currygirl]

Intermedical Homecare - an online purchase

[Currygirl in reply to Millyboo710]

Thanks x

[Dumba]

Hi I am getting two. One for upstairs one for downstairs and to go to visit my Dad. hols etc. If able. I cannot lift the cannisters, too heavy. The cables sticking in my chairlift and a heakth risk. If you getc recurring infections you need it. Ask your consulyant to refer you for one. If not ask Dolby.

[PaulineHM]

Hello Currygirl,

Am wondering who you have spoken to re obtaining your prescription for 02 . Have you tried the lead Home Oxygen nurse in your local Home Oxygen service to request it ? Did they give you a sheet with it on when they last tested you ?

Failing that you can request to speak to the lead person Respiratory Service ? Or your GP should have had a copy from the Home Oxygen service when they last reviewed your Oxygen requirement .

What a hassle for you! Hope someone comes up with it for you!

Pauline

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

I just spoke to the community nurse

[PaulineHM in reply to Currygirl]

Am sure you will be able to get a copy from someone. Mine is given to me at the regular oxygen review.

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

Different trusts I suppose.

[PaulineHM in reply to Currygirl]

Not at all! Everyone can be advised of their prescription, because when we need to know how much oxygen we need to keep out sats up.

Just a heads up, Trusts are being phased out and Integrated Care Boards are coming in now. Hopefully it will enhance our care.

Good wishes,

Pauline

[Davegt]

I recently applied for a blue badge and they asked for a copy of my oxygen prescription. I asked the oxygen supplier and they are not allowed to send your prescription to you! However I contacted the resp team and they sent it to me in a few days.

[Timberman]

The NHS does not prescribe portable oxygen concentrators due to the very high costs, preferring instead to offer portable O2 bottles and a wheeled device to transport it. I was aware of this and bought my own O2 concentrator but it was expensive and costs over £100 as year to maintain.

You can hire O2 concentrators I believe for a holiday. Be aware that you MUST inform the airline and the cabin crew whether you have O2 tanks or concentrators. You must also ensure it is noted on your insurance documents or you will not be covered,.

[PaulineHM in reply to Timberman]

The NHS does indeed prescribe POCs. I had one from them here in U.K. for 6 years until I needed liquid oxygen last year. They gave me an Inogen One G3.

Good wishes,

Pauline

[Currygirl in reply to Timberman]

I recently was supplied an o2 concentrator from nhs x

[Timberman in reply to Currygirl]

Really? Well done.

[Currygirl in reply to Timberman]

hello Timberman its not just me who got one supplied, most peeps do but you have to supply own if you want to go abroad x

[Timberman in reply to Currygirl]

OK - It does look as if it is possible. I was not told, although i had already bought one.

nhs.uk/conditions/home-oxyg...

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[PaulineHM in reply to Timberman]

May I ask which POC you bought for your self please?

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

Sorry Pauline I did just say I had one from NHS, but I will have z to buy one later as want to go out of the UK x

[PaulineHM in reply to Currygirl]

Yes, as I think I mentioned to you, you may be better off renting for outside the U.K. Buying a POC and paying for the maintenance is pricey. Good luck.

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

But what if I'm going for 6 weeks I'm confused now xx

[PaulineHM in reply to Currygirl]

Apologies it wasn’t my intention to confuse.

It may be cheaper to rent a POC rather than buy one is what I meant, even if you go for 6 weeks, because the cost of purchasing one is pricey and then when you return you need to run it if not using it, and keep it maintained. The resale on these is virtually zero, so purchasing one can be an expensive option. I know this because it is what I did.

Hope you find what you need to help you travel.

Go well.

Pauline

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you Pauline 🎶

[Timberman in reply to PaulineHM]

This one GCE Zen-o-lite.

portableoxygen.co.uk

But there are many more and some a lot cheaper than mine.

[PaulineHM in reply to Timberman]

Thank you, haven’t seen this model before. Pretty low output and wouldn’t be enough oxygen for many.

[Timberman in reply to PaulineHM]

Hmmm, well you get what you pay for I suggest. But 5 lpm is not so low - I think even a fully fit breather will get about 12 breaths of 2 litres a minute which is about 4.2 litres of O2. At my 30% I reckon I get at 1.5lpm POC about 3 available - but my alveoli do not pass more than about 30-35% of required for full flight-fright mode. It feels like....

[Timberman in reply to PaulineHM]

Zen-O liteTM from GCE - I think there are smaller and lighter and even cheaper ones!

[PaulineHM in reply to Timberman]

Thanks Timberman, there is certainly a wide choice of equipment which delivers oxygen out there !

Often confusing are the pulse POCs which deliver various amounts of oxygen. The highest settings on a pulse POC are not not enough for me these days as I need 4-5 lpm continuous flow.

Yes there are cheaper machines out there, although people are urged to take care of purchasing from popular platforms. Best to purchase from those registered to sell/rent machines on prescription.

Have you seen this recent video from Mike Hess ?

youtu.be/i95Pb_PfJK8(Not working as expected?)

Regards,

Pauline

[Currygirl in reply to PaulineHM]

Well that's interesting, thanks Pauline x

[Timberman in reply to PaulineHM]

Frankly I think the pulse machines are excellent since they provide O2 on demand so there is less waste and leakage. O2 is dodgy stuff to have floating about unmixed with nitrogen. But I do not (yet!) need that much.

[mgb14]

Hi CurrygirlI have just returned from Australia with ioxegen the carrier was emerits very good flight

Regards mgb14

[Currygirl in reply to mgb14]

Wow long way was it difficult to set up x