OXYGEN = PORTABLE CYLINDERS

[pigsty213]

I use oxygen but am finding the cylinders rather heavy to carry.lasts about 8 hours. Is there any other type of portable cylinder/condenser, the hospital said they won't give me opn as I'm not entitlddonly being on 1 litre! How much are the to buy and where from|

[telboy41]

I have exactly the same problem & am toying with the idea of purchasing a portable concentrator, As portable cylinders are not allowed on public transport. the best place to purchase the concentrators i found is Ebay but then comes the problem of regular servicing ect.? It seems to be a bit of a catch 22 situation.

[mikeadams51 in reply to telboy41]

they cant stop you taking oxygen on public transport due to disability laws

[telboy41 in reply to mikeadams51]

When 1st diagnosed with COPD at London chest i then had to attend a follow up at St Barts & due to the parking restrictions me & my wife used the train,

After attending the consultation were they decided my levels were very unstable (blue lips & CO2 depletion) they issued me with a portable oxygen cylinder in a shoulder bag to journey home with & arranged for BOC to install a concentrator at my home plus issue a number of POC for travelling & back up.

When we got to St Pauls station to begin journey home (30 odd miles) i was told by station staff i could not use the train due to having a volatile gas in case of any emergency (Jan-2000).

i then had to arrange for my Father in law to pick us up by car to transport us home. We later enquired to relevant train & public transport companies who confirmed i was unable to use their services whilst carrying the POC as stated this was in Jan 2000 so if the rules have changed since i stand corrected. I always carry a couple of POC in boot of car when travelling but even with the large ones if on an overnight stay at relations ect these tend to run out so a portable easy to transport concentrator would be a answer to all my problems.

[best]

Are you using a backpack to carry your cylinder? You do get used to the weight. Portable concentrates are very expensive and no lighter. As your requirements change you may find the POC you purchased is no longer suitable.

Portable cylinders ARE allowed on public transport, buses, trains, ferries.

We can no longer use a POC and take 3 cylinders out with us as each one lasts her 1.5 hours, but of a nightmare but we now have to use a wheelchair too so manage to balance them on the back!

I hope this helps.

[Waynesbar]

Depends on you area who the NHS uses but BOC offer a Carson fibre bottle for ambulance staff and the public this might help it is very light

[bmb64]

Hi my mum has same problem, last year we changed from cylinders to liquid oxygen which was much easier for her to carry but itcwas taken off us as we live In flats and fire service said it wasnt alowed Now my mum uses the cylinder with a conserver but it makes them even heavier. Its such a shame as it does stop my mum from getting out as she has osteoporosis. Good luck!!

[adb11]

Your supplier should have a trolley you can use, or try a small wheeled shopping trolley. Some are quite funky!

[Edwina47]

My husband has the portable oxygen cylinders which last him 1 hr & 15 mins each as he is on 4 ltd a min,he was supplied with a wheeler,which is no good as it is too clumsy to use,he was also given a little rucksack which they fit in,which we hold for him,as it is too heavy for him to carry,if we are going out or to the hospital we have to take several bottles with us they run out so quickly but these fit in the boot of the car,I believe liquid oxygen is lighter,but don't know how long this lasts& you need an outside place to store the big tanks,then you have to pump this into your portables your self which isn't an option for us as we are both disabled & couldn't do it,hope you find this helpful x

[mikeadams51 in reply to Edwina47]

My liquid oxygen tanks last me about 2hrs at 8lpm. More lighter but a bit more awkward as there is no back pack available for them. I have considered making one

[stone-UK]

Hi

Before you consider buying you own unit seek advice from your respitory nurse as to there suitability.

The lightest and smallest is the Air Sep Focus, but it delivers 2 lpm.

From healthoxygen.com/airsep-foc... about £1700. The next weigh 2.2 kg are the Air Sep Freestle or the Imogen G2. These are more more expensive over£2000.

Another alternative is.

careco.co.uk/item-s-wa06007...

Do not purchase from E-Bay.

[mich11020]

Hi, i know its a pain (i found the cylinders were too heavy to carry) so i used to pull them along in a funky wheelie bag! Then i had room to put my shopping as well. I now mostly use liquid oxygen as it gives me more freedom stay out for longer but it is as heavy as a portable cylinder so i have to put it on a wheeled trolley. There are much smaller and lighter oxygen concentrators out there but they are only suitable for those who can have the flow on pulse and not continuous. Good luck.

[bayleyray-uk]

I was given a Philips Simple and Go portable respirator when I first had to start using oxygen when moving around at 2lpm constant but have found that the battery looses it's charge after 3/4 hours so the resp. nurse arranged for me to have three oxygen tanks that hold about 3 hours for on 2ltrs constant which has been a great help as it means I can go out for longer without the need for a power point and I get them topped up every three weeks or so as I just use them for the occasional longer trip out. Still use my Simple and Go machine for the bulk of the time and as I can run that off of a car cigarette lighter, it takes care of the regular journeys to the West Midlands that hubby and myself take.

Sue

[tulips123]

When my Consultant prescribed the use of a Home Oxygen Concentrator, her instructions included up to 4 or 5 portable Oxygen Cylinders for outings (each one lasted approx 3 and a bit hours, + large tank of oxygen in the event of loosing electricity at home. As well as maintenance you need to source the nasal specs/face masks. I would be very careful about shopping around for 2nd hand machines as well. Some years ago when I was trying to get hold of a nebuliser for my daughter when she was very young, a trustworthy GP advised against it for 2 reasons. Again you cant be sure how safe it is + some Doctors are wary because we are not sufficiently competent to know when the time has come to call for help (especially children obviously)

I think it would be worthwhile trying to talk to the Doc. again. It's about quality of life really, so I wish you well. Tulip xx

[westielady1956]

Your supplier should give you give you smaller bottles ask them. You can get a prescription from your Dr. For smaller ones. Then ask your supplier for a conserved this will make the bottles last longer, you only don't pay for any of this it is on the NHS. You should never pay for any of your o2 equipment.

With regards to going on public transport, you should be getting DLA if so use that for taxi. If you are getting public transport to hospital then claim you fares. Also if you are really bad then get patient transport. Any queries just ask.

[wheezieannie]

I was given a portable imogen on nhs