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Oxygen tubing nightmares!

contraryMary profile image
26 Replies

Please does anyone have any handy tips on how they manage to carry their oxygen tubing around the house?

I’ve been on 2-7 litres 24/7 since last year because I have a very large inoperable tumour on my heart. The pressure of it is causing shortness of breath and my saturation levels drop drastically to in the 30’s then I pass out. So I am thankful for the oxygen and all the support from the respiratory team.

But the tubing does drive me insane!! I have read other posts on here from people who have the same problem. But their posts were a couple of years ago and I was hoping someone might have a solution to the never ending tangles! Having a shower is hard to. It’s hard with the tube getting in the way when you wash, and when I wash my hair I worry the water will get in the tube. Does anyone else have any advice please? I love my oxygen, it keeps me alive, but it’s a pain at times lol 😝

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contraryMary profile image
contraryMary
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26 Replies
skischool profile image
skischool

Mary,i would suggest that you ask whoever prescribed your oxygen to request that you have 2 o2 concentrators installed,one for upstairs and one for downstairs,at least that should cut down on the length of tubing required.i might add that i read your profile and i think you are a remarkable woman with great strength and fortitude given all that you have been through and continue to contend with..........best wishes Ski's and Scruffy cat x

p.s don't worry too much about water getting in the tube,the flow of oxygen should soon clear it as long as you take it off first.

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to skischool

Thank you very much Skischool. X

mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy

When I showered I used to throw the tubing over the top of the cubicle and then put it on from the back of my head. That way it did not get in the way and did not collect any water. You will get used to it. :)

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to mrsmummy

That’s a fabulous idea! I will try that, because the tube gets in the way of my shower curtain and the floor gets wet. Thanks so much! X

newlands profile image
newlands

I have mine piped around the house ,still have lots of spare tubing but it helps been piped in

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to newlands

What does piped in mean exactly? Sorry 😐 lol 😝

JANET127 profile image
JANET127

Mary, I am still working in my Hair Salon, so I wear my oxygen on backward. It stays out of my way then! I slip the noose over my head, adjust my nose piece/ears, then with the tightener loop...it is in the back, by the bottom of my hairline. Works better for me!

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to JANET127

Hi Janet, I love this idea, thank you! I have problems with the tubing strangling me when I’m eating, so I will try this! I’ll let you know how I get on! Lol 😆

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to JANET127

Janet, this has worked out brilliant! A great tip. Thank you 😊 x

JANET127 profile image
JANET127 in reply to contraryMary

GREAT!!!!! Pass the word! Janet127

caroleoctober16 profile image
caroleoctober16

Your oxygen supplier should clip it round your skirting for you. I have this done from the concentrator in the living room. I have a switch on the windowledge above the concentrator which I can turn to the different outlets ie. bedroom, bathroom and living room. Not allowed it in the kitchen because of the risk of fire! My oxygen supplier is Aire Liquid. Keep smiling.

Carole x

maggiewhiteley profile image
maggiewhiteley in reply to caroleoctober16

A bit of subject but is your concentrator noisy ? mine is from air liquid too and is really loud

skischool profile image
skischool in reply to maggiewhiteley

maggie,i also have one from Air liquide as did my wife and they are equally noisy.i am afraid that is the nature of the beasts.you could try sitting it on some form of vibration damper but you have to be careful with regard to the heat it gives off and fire safety...Ski's and scruffs

caroleoctober16 profile image
caroleoctober16 in reply to maggiewhiteley

My concentrator isn't too noisy but that could be because I live in a bungalow with concrete floors so there isn't as much vibration as on wooden floors.

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to caroleoctober16

Hi Carole. My supplier is also Air Liquide. I might ask them, because it is a hazard. I have mobility problems anyway, so this just adds to it. thank you for the advice 👍

punkyb profile image
punkyb

I walk around my house a lot and I twist and turn a lot too. When. I see my hose getting tangled I pick it up on the machine end and start to roll it up whole rolling out the kinks. By the time I get to the end it sometimes whirls itself straight....lol

Sometime I also stretch it out all the way and just twist the hose the opposited direction of the twists in it. .it isn't real hard to work it out....just takes a wee amount of time once in a while.

Good luck hope I helped.

What I really hate is when I am walking along and the hose gets caught and tries to rip my nose off! Lol

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to punkyb

Ha ha, yes I know what you mean! I also do the unraveling and stretching and straightening it out from time to time. Getting stuck miles behind you under a door is one of my pet hates! 😜

Joy123 profile image
Joy123

Hi contrarymary, my best advice is clear your home of any obvious floor clutter. I don’t usually have any trouble with tangled tubing except when it gets caught under one particular bedroom door and nearly yanks my head off! In the shower I leave canular in place just move it up to wash nose area and move from behind ears, one at a time, when shampooing. A bit of water in tubing no problem but, obviously I wouldn’t let too much go in. I find the tubing is pretty resilient and reaches my shed, car boot and washing line. I reel it back in running it through a damp cloth. I’m always amazed at how much muck it picks up being outside. I’m lucky enough to live on one level so my tubing is very long. Keep well. Joy x

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb

O Mary I know exactly what you mean ! I say **""!!!<<! more times in the day as I stand trapped by tubing around my feet. Mrs Mummy's hint about using the shower is very good and I'll certainly try that. I'm in a bungalow so I only have one concentrator. I wish I could press a button and have the tubing wind up as I retrace my steps like some vacuum cleaners do. There doesn't seem to have been much progress in home oxygen. We need James Dyson to come up with something though it'd ptobably be too expensive for our oxygen suppliers to provide. Stay well, Sheila x

punkyb profile image
punkyb

another thing I do is wrap the hose as I walk sometimes like making circles of it and add or release as I need it ...I do this so my husband wont trip over the mass on the floor. it is not hard . I just treat it like a rope or garden hose....hugs

i hope my ideas are helpful

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to punkyb

Yes they are very helpful. Thank you very much 😊

Huff_and_Puff profile image
Huff_and_Puff

I find tucking the tubing into my belt and then just dragging the tubing around behind me works well. Fortunately I live in a flat, so it isn't so inconvenient for me as for some of you.

You can also get your oxygen supplier to give you a swivel joint to put in the tube, since I've had that it works wonders for stopping the thing getting all twisted up.

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary in reply to Huff_and_Puff

I’m going to have to get one of these swivel connectors. They sound great 👍

oooodicky profile image
oooodicky

Hi Mary I got oxygen but it’s piped in living room and bedroom they won’t letting carry about hme go in the kitchen with it but make it long enough to walk about ask your oxygen nurse if you can have a ( energen one) portable machine they are not heavy might help. Good luck. richy

JANW1 profile image
JANW1

I have the small tanks in other rooms and the main one in the bedroom , I was told by the supplier and I find this really helpful.

contraryMary profile image
contraryMary

Thanks everyone. This has all been very interesting and helpful to hear other people’s perspectives. 😍

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