Oxygen question

[Difficul]

Hello again. This may be a rather silly question but I will ask it anyway. As a new user of 15/24 hour O2, I find it quite draughty in my nose. I am on 1L per minute. Can someone who has moved up the saturation scale please tell me if it gets more draughty at higher levels? Thank you.

[MoosterMoo]

Hi Difficul, I also found the 02 quite draughty at first. I started on 1 L and am now on 6L on exertion. When I'm moving around a lot, I tend not to notice too much. It's more when I slow down it feels like it's blowing a gale up my nostrils 😂

[Difficul in reply to MoosterMoo]

Thank you, MoosterMoo. 6L sounds like a lot to me when I'm still being a wimp about 1L. I realised that I had assumed the concentrator would blow harder but didn't really know until you replied to my question.

[AngieB72]

it takes a while to get used to. Get yourself some gel to put up your nostrils to help as a barrier. I use Ayr nasal gel (I get it from Amazon) but a lot of others use KY Jelly. Just make sure what you use is water based so Vaseline is definitely NOT to be used.

[Difficul in reply to AngieB72]

Thank you, AngieB72. The question arose after I asked about trying a mask but was told I'd have to go to 2L. I assumed this would be even more drying for my poor nose so decided not to go ahead. I have now worked out which of the three cannula types supplied by BOC without any explanation is least uncomfortable, but my nose is still fairly unhappy. I am mainly using NeilMed NasoGEL (from Amazon) plus some Aquagel (from surgery pharmacist) plus occasional Benadryl Nasal Spray (suggested by Boots pharmacist). I didn't find KY Jelly helpful. Other treatments were kindly recommended on here and I may try others in future. I am aware that Vaseline and other oil based creams are not to be used.

[Coachtrip]

Hello DifficulIt's alot to deal with when everything is very new. I look after someone who has not long started on oxygen 24/7. Travelling abroad is a dream but I have looked into it. You will need a fitness to fly certificate from your medical team an the airline will decide if you need oxygen in flight. There's alot more to organise but it can be done from what I've read.

Look in the Asthma and Lung UK website and search the website for travel abroad with oxygen. There 's lots of info there and a list of suppliers who provide oxygen outside the UK

Sorry not to send you the direct link but my phone is behaving badly.

All the very best with it all and please post your experiences if you can. It would be such a help. You can do it !!!

[Coachtrip]

Sorry Difficul. I replied to your other post about travel and not this one. Gremlins in the phone today. Looks like you have lots of advice to help. Good luck with it all.

[Topsy-Turvey]

Hi I have Bronchiectasis and I started going in the hyperbaric chamber for oxygen once a week. Whilst it's allegedly better under pressure I have my own oxygen concentrator now and during flare ups I have an hour a day @5ltr.

My consultant wasn't up with the research and wasn't initially impressed. But its not like 24/7 oxygen that you have to get weaned off, it's not enough to cause toxicity.

I find it beneficial.xx

[Topsy-Turvey]

ps I use a mask, I make sure I drink lots.

[HTZB]

I use oxygen and also another family member. The higher the number the more “draughty” it is and it can be drying where canular goes in nose. You can’t use creams with alcohol in them ( like petroleum jelly) buut any natural one like burts bees or welded. Best H