Oxygen a Concentrator

[Bob207]

Hi, I suffer with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Ive recently been given an inogenone oxygen concentrator. It only gives oxygen when you breath through the tubes up your nose. I’ve got into the habit of breathing through my mouth as I don’t feel I ordinarily get enough normal oxygen through my nose. So I’m finding the machine difficult to use. Turned up to 5, I don’t feel like I can breath enough in through my nose. I only wanted the machine to help with cutting the grass and walking down the beach or around town. I don’t need it all the time. Does anyone have any tips on how to get used to using this machine please

[Caspiana]

Hi Bob. 👋

I am wondering if you got advise from the doctor who prescribed the oxygen therapy? Oxygen has to be prescribed by a doctor it is not advisable to buy a concentrator and use it with no direction from an expert. If you have CO2 retention you could get hypoxia. It is dangerous. Plus the amount of oxygen you use must also be managed by and prescribed especially for you. I would advise you to seek an evaluation for oxygen if you haven't already done so.

Best wishes,

Cas xx 😊

[Bob207 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you for your reply. The machine has been provided via my hospital and my oxygen levels were taken using an oximeter It was demonstrated by a guy from BOC so all done properly. It’s just I’m not finding it easy to get used to breathing only through my nose. I think I’ll give my consultant a call. Thank you.

[Caspiana in reply to Bob207]

I think that's a good idea. And maybe this link will help too . 👋😊

verywellhealth.com/mouth-br...

[Bob207 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you for that.

[Ian1967 in reply to Bob207]

Hi Bob207, I would speak to your respiratory specialist, I have have the same concentrator for ambulatory oxygen it works on a pulse dose system, this means it only works when it detects your pulse during breathing, you might be better off with a continuous flow POC, these as the name suggests supply oxygen all the time, the same as an oxygen bottle, the one problem with continuous flow POC’s is they are much heavier, needing to be used with a trolley rather than carried, also the battery life is much shorter than a pulse dose POC like the Inogen One G3.

I hope I have been some help, Ian.

[Bob207 in reply to Ian1967]

Thank you Ian.

[skischool]

I have the same machine Bob and it does take some getting used to,try not to listen to the intake of oxygen as you breathe through your nose as it sounds so short it can give the illusion that you are oxygen starved which you are not as your stats if you take them will indicate.

As others have said a continuous flow machine may be preferable,but given their weight they require an associated small trolley to drag them around.

i use my home concentrtor with extended tubing when i am doing housework or gardenng at the same setting as the POC and i do find that the continuous flow feels like i am getting more of the good stuff but also comes with more of the runny nose side effect as well.

P.s I forgot to add that don't forget to also continue to breath through the mouth as well whilst using your concentrator.

[AngieB72]

Hi

I’m surprised that they gave you one being a mouth breather as it is then a real struggle for you to use it. The only advice for you I have and I don’t mean to sound flippant is to really consciously keeping your mouth shut and practice breathing through your nose. This isn’t going to be easy but other than changing your breathing style you may need a machine/cylinders that provide continuous flow. Good luck

[Smikra]

Yes I have the same concentrator. I was told to always keep it on 2. I sometimes just need to focus on my breathing.