Coping with copd

[Dadoovron]

My husband suffers from copd and I am looking to purchase a oxygen concentrator, has anyone any advise.please

[Hidden]

First think as he been given oxygen if not do not buy one as you will not be able to get oxygen from any one

[Kathygwanny in reply to Hidden]

A concentrator makes it's own oxygen, no need for a supplier. I don't understand why they are not supplied with one.

[Hidden in reply to Kathygwanny]

I thought it was the one you had to have oxyegn suppled as when i asked if i buy all my own equipment can i have the oxygen suppled and i was told no i have to wait for the hospital to say as not up to any one els as they have to check the equipment and set it as if you have to much oxygen it can kill you and i was told that by the nures who deals with me

[Dadoovron in reply to Hidden]

It scary as he has begun to have blackouts from time to time when he has been coughing, it hard to watch the scary look on his face when he comes round. Feel agitated when I have to leave him alone .

[stone-UK]

Hi

Has your husband been assessed for oxygen, oxygen is only given to maintain you oxygen saturation at a acceptable leve. Above 88%. 88%/92% is considered acceptable.

It is not normally given to resolve breathlessness.

Before you can obtain a oxygen supply you will need a prescription from your respitory team stating your requirements. No reputable oxygen equipment supplier will agree to your requirements without the correct documentation.

Oxygen if not prescribed and monitored can do more harm than good.

[mrsmummy]

Which one to buy will depend on what his requirements are but these are normally supplied to anyone who meets the criteria of needing one. To have supplemental oxygen where it is not medically advised is extremely dangerous.

[Hidden]

If you are in the UK only the respiratory care team and/or chest consultant can order oxygen for your husband. If your husband was diagnosed by the GP and his condition has worsened he needs to see the GP again and explain the situation. He or she will do the referral.

It's also important to note that his blackouts from coughing may not be directly caused by COPD, but again that's something where your first stop is the GP.

Unlike others have said you can buy portable and in-house oxygen concentrators without a doctor's prescription if you have a spare £5000 or so hanging around. However, it's not a smart thing to do without the requisite medical advice beforehand.

[Preston146]

Please do not Purchase a concentrator they can be deadly if used incorrectly or for the wrong reason. Go to your GP get him to do an urgent referral to oxygen assessment at your local hospital if he needs oxygen they can tell him on the spot as the test only takes a couple of minutes. I done this and when I got home from the hospital I had a phone call from the oxygen supplier saying they would be delivering the next morning. Fantastic service provided by BOC. All free of charge. They even provide small cylinders for going out and about. Even hols or staying with friends or family all they require is a few days notice and they will deliver and set it all up ready for your arrival.