Oxygen assessment

[mikebaker1949]

Hi having bullous emphysema for 20 years. I've been able to manage the condition reasonably well with slow walks pulmonary rehabilitation etc.I find now I'm struggling from room to room with my breathing most of the time, and can't walk to far without continually stopping.My local COPD clinic nurse won't send me for an oxygen assessment because I use an occasional vape .I keep getting O2 readings in the high 80s but not all the time. Other then going to A& E is anyone got a suggestion for getting an assessment . Thanks Mike Baker

[Caspiana]

Hi Mike. I would imagine you know that vaping is terrible for the lungs because of the chemicals in them that can cause irreversible lung damage and exacerbate your existing condition. I also don't believe A and E offers oxygen assessment. Oxygen has to be prescribed by a doctor in an appropriate clinical setting as each patient has different needs. Some patients cannot even have oxygen because they are carbon dioxide retainers. My best advice is to give up the vape and request for an assessment. Best wishes.

[mikebaker1949 in reply to Caspiana]

Many Thanks for reply , that's why I asked for the assessment to see if oxygen would help. Also I understood that vaping wasn't a restriction. only smoking Very difficult for me but it looks as though I have no choice.All the best Mike

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

Correct Cas my oxygen assessment used to be done at my local hospital by my Respiratory team. Now they come to my house as i am housebound..I am feeling more positive and hoping to venture out when the weather gets warmer.. not on my shopping trips but a trip out in the car and sit watching the waves at the beach

Fingers crossed.. I'll have the confidence to go out with my portable oxygen.

Hope you are well. Great you are so active and able to go on walks. You're an inspiration to us all. Good luck. xx🥰🥰

[Caspiana in reply to garshe]

Hello Sheila. I am.positive that when spring comes you will feel more able to venture out in the car. Sometimes I sit and have a cup of tea in the car when it's especially cold and I have to be running errands. It's quite nice. You've always been such a positive presence to us all Sheila, so thank you. Much love. xx ❤

[mikebaker1949 in reply to garshe]

Thanks for reply & lovely comments,good luck for the future and make sure you go for these trips even if you can't venture too far once there.All the very best Mike

[cazza34 in reply to Caspiana]

Just to clarify I am on oxygen 24/7 and am an oxygen retainer. I was prescribed a Bipap machine to use daily which removes the C02, and I feel so much better. But yes give up the vape I think u will need the oxygen more maybe in the future than the vape.best of luck to u

[mikebaker1949 in reply to cazza34]

Thanks for reply I understand I'm not a C02 retainer but I get extremely breathless at times so we'll have to seeAll the best Mike

[peege]

Exactly what Caspiana says 👆.

It's worth quitting the vape to get the O2 that could help you so much in keeping active especially with good weather just around the corner.

Could you afford to have private assessment to find out if you're a CO2 retainer at least?

[mikebaker1949 in reply to peege]

Many thanks for your reply, very difficult to stop vaping as a life time smoker but looks as I have no choice. Will look into private assessment.All the best Mike

[KC2222]

Ask for a hospital referral to a consultant to help with your breathing ,your clinic nurse will not have the knowledge needed.My last hosp appt a couple of years ago,the consultant said there was always options to help Think the vape thing is a bit of a red herring.

I haven't smoked for 6 years now, so at least well done moving to a vape.

Good luck

[mikebaker1949 in reply to KC2222]

Hi thanks for reply, I'm already under a consultant but apparently where oxygen is concerned it has to be done through your areas COPD clinic cause of health & safety All the very best Mike

[Tia4209 in reply to mikebaker1949]

Your consultant would be more likely to send you for an oxygen assessment than your local clinic nurse, do you have an appointment with him/ her in the near future?

[mikebaker1949 in reply to Tia4209]

Thanks for reply I'm going for another CT scan shortly and a appointment sometime after but as I understand even after any assessment the allocation of oxygen has to be done under your areas COPD team for health & safety reasons.All the best Mike

[PaulineHM]

Hi Mike,

Seems like you have done really well over the years. Good for you!

As an oxygen user for the last nine years I know helpful supplementary oxygen can be. It is undoubtedly life extending. Perhaps attending another PR course would support you too ?

So two suggestions for you.

Request a referral an oxygen assessment from your GP again or a referral to local respiratory consultant. Insist if you feel able to.

Request a referral to local Stop smoking services- or refer yourself to discuss your vaping and take it from there.

Let us know how you get on won’t you ?

Go well

Pauline

[mikebaker1949 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks for reply that's great that oxygen has helped you so much .Up to now I've managed the condition without it so will have to see if I get the assessment Certainly struggling now.

All the best Mike

[PaulineHM in reply to mikebaker1949]

You are very welcome.There are many aspects of health care, our own health behaviour, activity/exercise levels, medication etc which all contribute to us being as well as we can possibly be.

Sometimes it is a bit of a roller coaster…. Occasionally a big roller coaster !

Hope all gets sorted for you before too long.

Go well,

Pauline

[Biker88]

I have recently been put on ambulatory oxygen, and due to the enhanced fire risk with oxygen in the home smoking and vaping is a no go. If you do either you won’t be allowed home oxygen. I had to give up my caravan as it had gas cooking and heating, too dangerous with me on oxygen. Any source of open flame is a no go, open fires, log burners, candles, and yes the oxygen makes a lot of difference to me but it did mean a few home adjustments. If you get an oxygen assessment, the oxygen provider will do a safety inspection before any oxygen is provided.

[mikebaker1949 in reply to Biker88]

Many thanks for your reply and information. I wasn't aware of so many restrictions with regard to oxygen so will have to see how things go Good luck for the future all the best Mike

[Patk1]

Sorry to hear yr struggling so much.unfortunately,toxins frm vapes won't be helping yr lungs + prob causing even more damage. id seek help to stop, u don't have to go cold turkey on yr own.perhaps go to PR again,at same time as it'll give u the extra support and distraction u may need,in addition to enabling nurse to refer u for 02 assessment

[Patk1]

Just a thought - have u seen the new gadgets to use instead of vape/cigarettes? It looks like a tube that u inhale through,with no chemicals or liquids.im not sure what they're called but will pop back if i see thm again

[mikebaker1949 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for reply Is that Nicorette Inhalators ,very good but not quite there yet .Thanks Mike

[Stewiecat]

I think it's the Nicorette Inhalator, Boots sell them in boxes of I'm not sure what quantity, but they helped my friend give up, they replace the hand to mouth habit, without the toxins, needs some willpower to quit, but possibly a better long term alternative to the cigs or vapes, might be worth a try, good luck, lots of good wishes x N

[mikebaker1949 in reply to Stewiecat]

Many thanks for reply , I've tried these and they are very good, still not managed to break the vaping.All the best Mike

[Stewiecat in reply to mikebaker1949]

Ahh worth giving everything a try hey, keep at it, it's worth it if you can, lots of good luck and wishes x N

[Bingo88]

Hi Mikebaker1949. I do understand how difficult it is for some people to give up smoking completely and vaping. If you click on the 9 dots there's a support section within Healthunlocked called quit support that might be able to help you quit the Vanessa. It's run by jillygirl and her superb support team. No harm in trying. Good luck. Brian

[islande]

om really sorry you are suffering like this by coincidence I've just been shop and brought a disposable vape cos I received a letter from my gastroentrologist on the nhs that really annoyed mecan't you say you have given up you will have to give up by the end of may because the govt are banning them

but if you can't walk from one room to the next obviously your inhaler doesn't work for you make an urgent appointment with your gp .I hope you get on ok and let us all know how you get on

[islande]

obviously if they give you oxygen you won't be able to vape ive found patches are really goodit's a small price to pay if the oxygen works for you good luck

[mikebaker1949 in reply to islande]

Thanks for reply will have to see if I get ambulatory oxygen certainly been struggling recently some days more then others. All the very best Mike

[islande]

hope the nhs finally helps you.best wishes

[mikebaker1949]

Thanks take care