to those on oxygen

[ej0820]

Hey guys!

This may be a dumb question. I was just wondering if being on oxygen pretty much all the time makes you feel less out of breath when doing activities? I'm on oxygen at night (just started) and I don't really notice any difference on or off of it. Though, I do stay up late and generally don't sleep well anymore anyway so it may not be my O2 level. However, walking in and out of school to and from my car gets me really out of breath at times (as does grocery shopping, going up stairs, etc). Would wearing O2 all the time make me FEEL better and stay less out of breath, or will it just assure me that body is getting oxygen even as I'm completely winded?

Do you get out of breath less while wearing it, or does it just keep the rest of your body functioning appropriately while you still can't catch your breath? I mean, I feel like I should know this answer, but if your lung capacity is only so much, it seems to me that you'd still get out of breath since the O2 would only get into that much of your lungs.

Just wondering how much of a difference oxygen makes for you guys.

Thanks.

 

[ej0820]

Hey guys!

This may be a dumb question. I was just wondering if being on oxygen pretty much all the time makes you feel less out of breath when doing activities? I'm on oxygen at night (just started) and I don't really notice any difference on or off of it. Though, I do stay up late and generally don't sleep well anymore anyway so it may not be my O2 level. However, walking in and out of school to and from my car gets me really out of breath at times (as does grocery shopping, going up stairs, etc). Would wearing O2 all the time make me FEEL better and stay less out of breath, or will it just assure me that body is getting oxygen even as I'm completely winded?

Do you get out of breath less while wearing it, or does it just keep the rest of your body functioning appropriately while you still can't catch your breath? I mean, I feel like I should know this answer, but if your lung capacity is only so much, it seems to me that you'd still get out of breath since the O2 would only get into that much of your lungs.

Just wondering how much of a difference oxygen makes for you guys.

Thanks.

 

[ej0820]

Hey guys!
<br />
<br />This may be a dumb question. I was just wondering if being on oxygen pretty much all the time makes you feel less out of breath when doing activities? I'm on oxygen at night (just started) and I don't really notice any difference on or off of it. Though, I do stay up late and generally don't sleep well anymore anyway so it may not be my O2 level. However, walking in and out of school to and from my car gets me really out of breath at times (as does grocery shopping, going up stairs, etc). Would wearing O2 all the time make me FEEL better and stay less out of breath, or will it just assure me that body is getting oxygen even as I'm completely winded?
<br />
<br />Do you get out of breath less while wearing it, or does it just keep the rest of your body functioning appropriately while you still can't catch your breath? I mean, I feel like I should know this answer, but if your lung capacity is only so much, it seems to me that you'd still get out of breath since the O2 would only get into that much of your lungs.
<br />
<br />Just wondering how much of a difference oxygen makes for you guys.
<br />
<br />Thanks.

 

[mag6125]

It does make you feel better to an extent, walking distances it's helpful and using it during exercise i can definitely tell a difference.

 

[mag6125]

It does make you feel better to an extent, walking distances it's helpful and using it during exercise i can definitely tell a difference.

 

[mag6125]

It does make you feel better to an extent, walking distances it's helpful and using it during exercise i can definitely tell a difference.

 

[chuckstyl5]

I was on O2 at night for about 4 years and I do think it helped - When I slept away from home I could def tell the differencr in the quality of sleep I was getting. Also the sound of the concentrator wasnt there to rock me to sleep haha. Recently I have been on O2 24/7 (about 5 weeks) and I can definitely tell the difference walking around and doing things I couldnt do before. I even take mine to the gym and either do the treadmill and bike to strengthen my lungs even more. Especially since I am waiting for a transplant.

 

[chuckstyl5]

I was on O2 at night for about 4 years and I do think it helped - When I slept away from home I could def tell the differencr in the quality of sleep I was getting. Also the sound of the concentrator wasnt there to rock me to sleep haha. Recently I have been on O2 24/7 (about 5 weeks) and I can definitely tell the difference walking around and doing things I couldnt do before. I even take mine to the gym and either do the treadmill and bike to strengthen my lungs even more. Especially since I am waiting for a transplant.

 

[chuckstyl5]

I was on O2 at night for about 4 years and I do think it helped - When I slept away from home I could def tell the differencr in the quality of sleep I was getting. Also the sound of the concentrator wasnt there to rock me to sleep haha. Recently I have been on O2 24/7 (about 5 weeks) and I can definitely tell the difference walking around and doing things I couldnt do before. I even take mine to the gym and either do the treadmill and bike to strengthen my lungs even more. Especially since I am waiting for a transplant.

 

[missT]

Erin, this is a great question. I wonder the same things. My FEV1 is around 40. Why did you decide to go on O2? what is your FEV1?

 

[missT]

Erin, this is a great question. I wonder the same things. My FEV1 is around 40. Why did you decide to go on O2? what is your FEV1?

 

[missT]

Erin, this is a great question. I wonder the same things. My FEV1 is around 40. Why did you decide to go on O2? what is your FEV1?

 

[theLostMiler]

The way I understand the question here is my answer.

Okay so when i started o2 at night, I didnt notice anything as far as when I wasnt on oxygen.... I feel like o2 at night is just helping you get a better nights rest since your body is lacking the correct amount overnight... Oh I did need it for real exhurtion not plain walking then, but fast walking I did need o2 (from my 6 minute walk test).

In fact, even though my pulmonologist told me that o2 wasnt 'dependent' I feel like it is... if Im not doing anything else to try and strengthen my lungs.

I had a pnuemo and had to wear o2 more when laying around and such. It wrecked me for the times when my pneumo healed and I was doing my old activies I was getting so out of breath.

Just 8 or 9 days ago, I started walking on my POS treadmill I got for free though from a friend. I do maximum incline (b/c its not that steep) and do 10 minutes only. I wear my o2 and my sat meter and in just those 7 or 8 days, my o2 L has gone down from 5 to 3.5 and Im not getting as winded and breathless and Im keeping my sats higher. The first day I dropped to like below 80 so fast it was scary!

I recommend using the o2 for exhurtion so it helps build up some lung stregth again.

I also noticed I have been able to go back down to 2 L overnight instead of the 3 or 4 I was on during and after the pnuemo.

I think o2 at night doesnt do anything for when you arent on it... I think you are thinking it will make your oxygen exchange rate higher during those activies like walking to your car right?

 

[theLostMiler]

The way I understand the question here is my answer.

Okay so when i started o2 at night, I didnt notice anything as far as when I wasnt on oxygen.... I feel like o2 at night is just helping you get a better nights rest since your body is lacking the correct amount overnight... Oh I did need it for real exhurtion not plain walking then, but fast walking I did need o2 (from my 6 minute walk test).

In fact, even though my pulmonologist told me that o2 wasnt 'dependent' I feel like it is... if Im not doing anything else to try and strengthen my lungs.

I had a pnuemo and had to wear o2 more when laying around and such. It wrecked me for the times when my pneumo healed and I was doing my old activies I was getting so out of breath.

Just 8 or 9 days ago, I started walking on my POS treadmill I got for free though from a friend. I do maximum incline (b/c its not that steep) and do 10 minutes only. I wear my o2 and my sat meter and in just those 7 or 8 days, my o2 L has gone down from 5 to 3.5 and Im not getting as winded and breathless and Im keeping my sats higher. The first day I dropped to like below 80 so fast it was scary!

I recommend using the o2 for exhurtion so it helps build up some lung stregth again.

I also noticed I have been able to go back down to 2 L overnight instead of the 3 or 4 I was on during and after the pnuemo.

I think o2 at night doesnt do anything for when you arent on it... I think you are thinking it will make your oxygen exchange rate higher during those activies like walking to your car right?

 

[theLostMiler]

The way I understand the question here is my answer.
<br />
<br />Okay so when i started o2 at night, I didnt notice anything as far as when I wasnt on oxygen.... I feel like o2 at night is just helping you get a better nights rest since your body is lacking the correct amount overnight... Oh I did need it for real exhurtion not plain walking then, but fast walking I did need o2 (from my 6 minute walk test).
<br />
<br />In fact, even though my pulmonologist told me that o2 wasnt 'dependent' I feel like it is... if Im not doing anything else to try and strengthen my lungs.
<br />
<br />I had a pnuemo and had to wear o2 more when laying around and such. It wrecked me for the times when my pneumo healed and I was doing my old activies I was getting so out of breath.
<br />
<br />Just 8 or 9 days ago, I started walking on my POS treadmill I got for free though from a friend. I do maximum incline (b/c its not that steep) and do 10 minutes only. I wear my o2 and my sat meter and in just those 7 or 8 days, my o2 L has gone down from 5 to 3.5 and Im not getting as winded and breathless and Im keeping my sats higher. The first day I dropped to like below 80 so fast it was scary!
<br />
<br />I recommend using the o2 for exhurtion so it helps build up some lung stregth again.
<br />
<br />I also noticed I have been able to go back down to 2 L overnight instead of the 3 or 4 I was on during and after the pnuemo.
<br />
<br />I think o2 at night doesnt do anything for when you arent on it... I think you are thinking it will make your oxygen exchange rate higher during those activies like walking to your car right?

 

[ej0820]

I was just wondering if O2 made you guys feel different/better. Using it at night hasn't really made me feel any different so I wondered if using it during exertion, or using more of it, made a difference.

missT: I asked my dr. how possible it was that I might need O2 just at night, so he ordered a pulseoximetry (?) test at night. During the night my pulseox dropped all the way down to 80. It's thought (and approved then by insurance companies) that O2 is needed if your pulseox drops below 88. I haven't had this test done on a daily schedule or during activity so I wonder if I need it then too? I wasn't sure if anyone could really NOTICE a difference in breathing if our lungs are that bad. I don't know my current FEV1, but the last time I had a PFT is was in the low 40s.

thanks guys!

 

[ej0820]

I was just wondering if O2 made you guys feel different/better. Using it at night hasn't really made me feel any different so I wondered if using it during exertion, or using more of it, made a difference.

missT: I asked my dr. how possible it was that I might need O2 just at night, so he ordered a pulseoximetry (?) test at night. During the night my pulseox dropped all the way down to 80. It's thought (and approved then by insurance companies) that O2 is needed if your pulseox drops below 88. I haven't had this test done on a daily schedule or during activity so I wonder if I need it then too? I wasn't sure if anyone could really NOTICE a difference in breathing if our lungs are that bad. I don't know my current FEV1, but the last time I had a PFT is was in the low 40s.

thanks guys!

 

[ej0820]

I was just wondering if O2 made you guys feel different/better. Using it at night hasn't really made me feel any different so I wondered if using it during exertion, or using more of it, made a difference.
<br />
<br />missT: I asked my dr. how possible it was that I might need O2 just at night, so he ordered a pulseoximetry (?) test at night. During the night my pulseox dropped all the way down to 80. It's thought (and approved then by insurance companies) that O2 is needed if your pulseox drops below 88. I haven't had this test done on a daily schedule or during activity so I wonder if I need it then too? I wasn't sure if anyone could really NOTICE a difference in breathing if our lungs are that bad. I don't know my current FEV1, but the last time I had a PFT is was in the low 40s.
<br />
<br />thanks guys!

 

[theLostMiler]

When was the last 6 minute walk test you did? Ask for that next time to see how low you get during exhurtion. WHen I first did it I was dropping to 76%, so I was put on it for exhurtion and I also got a $100 finger sat meter (you might look it up, mine is Devon Medical. I used it to make sure when I was walking to class and such I wasnt dropping below 85% or I would slow down. I use it now everywhere, when I am exercising, or when I am feeling out of breath in general just to see where I am. Its really helpful.

And yea, I dont really notice feeling better unless I am using the o2 that second. Its almost a comfort thing, when I am so out of breath and I put that cannula on its such relief <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[theLostMiler]

When was the last 6 minute walk test you did? Ask for that next time to see how low you get during exhurtion. WHen I first did it I was dropping to 76%, so I was put on it for exhurtion and I also got a $100 finger sat meter (you might look it up, mine is Devon Medical. I used it to make sure when I was walking to class and such I wasnt dropping below 85% or I would slow down. I use it now everywhere, when I am exercising, or when I am feeling out of breath in general just to see where I am. Its really helpful.

And yea, I dont really notice feeling better unless I am using the o2 that second. Its almost a comfort thing, when I am so out of breath and I put that cannula on its such relief <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">