Hope everyone is well. After my last hospital admission I was discharged requiring home and ambulatory oxygen. This is a new step for me.
The company have provided oxygen tanks and a bag to carry it in. I have been reading on line about battery powered concentrators that can be carried. I wondered if anyone has any advice about them? Good? Not so good? Recommend any make? I like the idea of having the ability when a bit stronger of going on the train to London and not having the worry of how much is left in the tank!Is there enough for the journey etc. They seem to come with rechargeable batteries. Wondered if they could be run continuously or do they need “a rest”
When walking I require between 2 and 3 L/min. Sitting is meant to be 1/2 to 1L but the home machine for some reason has been set to 1/L . They were trying to wean me off it in hosp and I was ok on 1/2 L when sitting.
Look forward to hearing from you. Have a good weekend 😘
Written by
Blyth1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I've been using ambulatory oxygen for a few years now. I'm lucky in that I don't usually need oxygen when I'm at rest.
At first I had cylinders (both liquid oxygen and dry). I was still fairly active at the time and found that cylinders didn't last much beyond an hour so asked my Respiratory Team if I could have a portable concentrator. I now use an Inogen One G3 concentrator which, after a few teething troubles due to a faulty charging cable, I get on with really well.
The concentrator is set to 3 litres although I can adjust that if I want. I find it will usually last me a good couple of hours. The concentrator is left on permanent charge when not in use and I was told by the supplier that it is quite safe to do so. I also have a charging cable suitable for plugging into the car 12 volt charger which is very handy.
The only negative to a concentrator is that it is much heavier than a cylinder. For that reason I've swapped the shoulder bag carry case supplied with it for a back pack I got through Amazon. It was a bit pricey (about £50 I think) but works much better for me and is made to fit the concentrator including air vents etc.
Thank you Rattled for sharing information about using your ambulatory concentrator. Much appreciated. I wondered if I would have to buy one but from your answer I may ask my respiratory team if they supply them.
Well I found my Inogen One G6 to be slightly lighter than the cylinders I was offered. Not wishing for a backpack, I got a trolley for it, costing about £130. At your next appointment, perhaps ask if you can switch from cylinders to a portable concentrator with car charger and spare battery. Unfortunately you are not supposed to use a portable concentrator all the time because they burn out after a few weeks.
Thanks Rattle, interesting that portable concentrators burn out if over used. I had the idea I could use them over a weekend break. Not so sure hotels would accept my booking and store the necessary pre delivered oxygen tanks! Or am I wrong???
Yes lots of hotels will accept oxygen delivery when I go away I get 7 canister 1 concentrater and a back up big cylinder delivered and replenished as needed
Hello, I hope you are feeling better after your admission to hospital.
I see you have joined the oxygen club- welcome.
Ok, so oxygen equipment and corresponding oxygen prescriptions can be a bit complicated. Prescriptions for portables often don’t correspond to oxygen from cylinders or liquid oxygen in flasks. Portables usually work on pulse, whereas cylinders and flasks give continuous flow. I now use liquid oxygen, decanted from a huge tank into a small flask and carried in a back pack- suits me fine. I can’t cope with those bottles.
Do please check with your local NHS home oxygen service and discuss your needs with them. In any case the oxygen supplier can’t do anything different for you until they hear from your local oxygen home service.
If you live in UK and use Facebook there is a new group page for oxygen users. It is called At Home with Oxygen UK and is a very positive group.
This is good to be on FB I have a group on there and we have several thinks wrong with us and a chat line for COPD and hope u will look out for us and give us some much needed support my group is THE WIDE AWAKE CLUB NORTH EAST DURHAM. aS i AM NOT AT THE OXYGEN STAGE YET i AM INTERESTED IN ALL EVERYONE HAS TO SAY ON HERE IT'S SUCH A GREAT GROUP
I had wondered why the number of interesting to me posts had dropped recently and perhaps most of the conversations have moved to Facebook, a service I refuse to use. This is disappointing to me as I have benefitted so much from the kindness and advice of others using this forum. I can't decide if I hate being breathless or having to use oxygen 15/24 most.
Hello, I am sorry you feel this way. I am not at all sure that oxygen folk are deserting this group for the Facebook group. My experience is that many are still using both platforms
There are probably many reasons why people stop posting for a while here.
I am grateful for my oxygen over almost the last 8 years. Not always easy but it has allowed me to continue living a reasonable level of activity and connection to people
Wishing you joy, good health and good fortune in the coming year
Hi Bylth, I've been using oxygen for almost two years now. At first for 16 hours a day and now, just on exertion. I enquired about the portable concentrator a while ago as I was still active but the tanks just didn't last long enough, meaning I need a mobility scooter when out for the day. Unfortunately, for me, I wasn't compatible with them so as my O2 levels just didn't rise quick enough once they'd dropped. It's definitely worth getting in touch with your respiratory team as they can give you a trial, assess you and hopefully arrange one for you. I agree with Pauline, the Facebook group is great for all oxygen related question 😊 xx
Hi Im pretty new here and would like a bit of advice I am currently on carbocistine,Trimbow and Salbutamol but I am not sleeping due to coughing and breathlesness just doing alittle bit of something wears me down the fatigue is awful have u any advice please or should I see my Dr
Hello, sorry you are suffering like you are. Can I suggest that you call the Asthma + Lung U.K. Helpline and chat with them - they will be open in the new year. They are very helpful.
Hi Blyth, I’ve seen from others on here they have had concentrators delivered to hotel destinations in the uk by their suppliers, it would be worth talking to them about where & when you are going, but can save a lot of work for you, I have a portable one that I use for ambulatory treatment & mine tends to only last just over an hour so if I’m out for the day it’s not helpful, as I don’t drive so use public transport & unable to recharge, also adds an extra lot of weight to carry charger too, 😊💐x
Thank you Loopylorre I will try and do a search to see if I can find who posted about concentrators delivered to hotels. Must admit after being part of the forum for years I still find I am rubbish at navigating this site 😂
Hi there, contact your respiratory/oxygen nurses for advice. Most people start on cylinders but can move to portable. Portable only provides pulsed oxygen, not continuous and although a bit heavy they are not too bad. At the level you are using they will last for several hours on one charge, a lot better than cylinders, so easy to charge plus you have car charger. Don't buy anything, talk to the experts, am sure you will get sorted out OK.
Thanks Maggity, a question - you mention respiratory/ oxygen nurses. Are they a team from the hospital or the oxygen suppliers? All I am aware of is the ILD nurse team at the hospital. As well as my consultant of course. X
Hi Blyth1, The hospital team who assessed you in the first place for your oxygen levels. The oxygen suppliers just fulfill their prescriptions. I am in Scotland but as far as I know the process is the same. Got lots of in-laws in Blyth if that's where you live 😁. Hope you get sorted, I've found the portable concentrators a great benefit.
Hi Maggity, I was “assessed” by the ward sister who took me for a walk on the ward corridor - who kept turning up the oxygen flow whilst checking my finger oximeter. The info was then relayed to the consultant.
Ah Blyth - born and brought up there. Left to go to Scotland when I was 17. Have so many happy memories of days on the beach - usually with a bitter north east wind blowing 😂
Ah, I am lucky I'm not to far from the Ayrshire coast so easy to get see breeze, not that I often do. Anyway, I would contact the ward and they should give you the info you need. You could also contact Dolby Vivisol who may be able to direct you. I'm under the Ayr Hospital and I just used to ask to get put through to the oxygen/respiratory nurses. I now have their direct number.If you are interested I have fairly recently started a Facebook support group called 'At Home with Oxygen UK'. It has 120 members so far and all of us have experiences of using home oxygen so lots of hints and tips to share. You just need to answer a few questions and agree group rules. You would be very welcome. All the best to you.
Hi Blyth, I have been on oxygen a year or two now and use all available systems!
I have a static mains powered concentrator which delivers a steady stream of 97% O2 and is run at 2.5 most of the time - occasionally higher and more often at 3..0.
I have tanks available as needed.
And I have a portable battery powered rechargeable unit. Two very important things you need to know about these units. They are what is called 'pulse' units which means they ONLY deliver oxygen on demand. And they only produce 92% pure O2. Additionally they come in 1-6 and 1-8 power loading; I would recommend the higher.
You need to run them at a higher rate then the normal static. At least one unit higher, so 3 for 2 etc. In fact I run mine at 5 for mobility, 3 for static. This gives a peripheral oxygen reading on my oximeter at 88% plus.
So around the flat use the static mains unit. Out and about an on my mobility scooter I use the battery powered rechargeable jobs (gives about 3 hours on charge but will tell you how its going). . And in case I keep one small tank in the car and the rest on hand at home.
You should be going through BOC (British Oxygen) which is the NHS provider and their service has been excellent. We have had static main units delivered to various holiday destinations and taken away - all for a phone call. They arrive to service on time and every time and freely supply tubing and cabulas.
Thank you so much for all of your information Timberman. It is really very much appreciated. I feel as if I am beginning to get a clearer picture of what going forward may be like! I must admit I am in a bit of a stunned state at the moment with the speed at which this has been put into place. I am someone who likes information from people who know about the practicalities of a situation - not just the theory 👍🏻
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Shortage of Portable Oxygen
OXYGEN = PORTABLE CYLINDERS
Portable Concentrators.
Oxygen question
Looking for recommendations for Portable Oxygen - small - lightweight 
