using oxygen

ej0820

New member
hey all!

I've been contemplating for the last few months about mentioning to my dr that I think it may be time for using oxygen. I've gone back and forth about whether it would actually help me, if I should use it at night or all the time, etc. I had a major coughing fit the other day and my mom mentioned using oxygen for the first time. She suggested I ask my doc for oxygen on an as needed basis. I wouldn't need it 24/7, but I could definitely use it after carrying in the groceries, or carrying the laundry up from the basement. On bad weather days, it would be nice to have, same with some nights while I sleep. I didn't even think of having it PRN (as needed). I always just assumed if I would start using O2, it would be b/c I was using it at night or all the time. Do any of you guys have oxygen PRN?
 

ej0820

New member
hey all!

I've been contemplating for the last few months about mentioning to my dr that I think it may be time for using oxygen. I've gone back and forth about whether it would actually help me, if I should use it at night or all the time, etc. I had a major coughing fit the other day and my mom mentioned using oxygen for the first time. She suggested I ask my doc for oxygen on an as needed basis. I wouldn't need it 24/7, but I could definitely use it after carrying in the groceries, or carrying the laundry up from the basement. On bad weather days, it would be nice to have, same with some nights while I sleep. I didn't even think of having it PRN (as needed). I always just assumed if I would start using O2, it would be b/c I was using it at night or all the time. Do any of you guys have oxygen PRN?
 

ej0820

New member
hey all!
<br />
<br />I've been contemplating for the last few months about mentioning to my dr that I think it may be time for using oxygen. I've gone back and forth about whether it would actually help me, if I should use it at night or all the time, etc. I had a major coughing fit the other day and my mom mentioned using oxygen for the first time. She suggested I ask my doc for oxygen on an as needed basis. I wouldn't need it 24/7, but I could definitely use it after carrying in the groceries, or carrying the laundry up from the basement. On bad weather days, it would be nice to have, same with some nights while I sleep. I didn't even think of having it PRN (as needed). I always just assumed if I would start using O2, it would be b/c I was using it at night or all the time. Do any of you guys have oxygen PRN?
 

pipersmom

New member
Erin,

Piper uses prn oxygen, we go by a pulse ox, for the most part. If she's running under 94% or so, we hook her up and use whatever it takes to get her above that. It gets the most use when she's having/recovering from an exacerbation. I would say it's definitely worth asking about. It's kept her at home on IVs rather than inpatient a few times now.
 

pipersmom

New member
Erin,

Piper uses prn oxygen, we go by a pulse ox, for the most part. If she's running under 94% or so, we hook her up and use whatever it takes to get her above that. It gets the most use when she's having/recovering from an exacerbation. I would say it's definitely worth asking about. It's kept her at home on IVs rather than inpatient a few times now.
 

pipersmom

New member
Erin,
<br />
<br />Piper uses prn oxygen, we go by a pulse ox, for the most part. If she's running under 94% or so, we hook her up and use whatever it takes to get her above that. It gets the most use when she's having/recovering from an exacerbation. I would say it's definitely worth asking about. It's kept her at home on IVs rather than inpatient a few times now.
 

mag6125

New member
I use oxygen at night all the time but I do have portable oxygen to use as needed and when I'm sick and feeling crappy I'll use my concentrator in my room.
 

mag6125

New member
I use oxygen at night all the time but I do have portable oxygen to use as needed and when I'm sick and feeling crappy I'll use my concentrator in my room.
 

mag6125

New member
I use oxygen at night all the time but I do have portable oxygen to use as needed and when I'm sick and feeling crappy I'll use my concentrator in my room.
 

theLostMiler

New member
I started using o2 for exhurtion and sleeping so not necessarily PRN, but now after a year of mainly using it only for sleeping, I use it a lot more PRN based on my sats...

so i always have my portable tanks in the car and i have my extension on my concentrator so if I need it for a while at home I can go anywhere in the house.

i also get fevers and that makes me very SOB now, it always has, but I guess with the progression, I really need my o2 with a fever.
 

theLostMiler

New member
I started using o2 for exhurtion and sleeping so not necessarily PRN, but now after a year of mainly using it only for sleeping, I use it a lot more PRN based on my sats...

so i always have my portable tanks in the car and i have my extension on my concentrator so if I need it for a while at home I can go anywhere in the house.

i also get fevers and that makes me very SOB now, it always has, but I guess with the progression, I really need my o2 with a fever.
 

theLostMiler

New member
I started using o2 for exhurtion and sleeping so not necessarily PRN, but now after a year of mainly using it only for sleeping, I use it a lot more PRN based on my sats...
<br />
<br />so i always have my portable tanks in the car and i have my extension on my concentrator so if I need it for a while at home I can go anywhere in the house.
<br />
<br />i also get fevers and that makes me very SOB now, it always has, but I guess with the progression, I really need my o2 with a fever.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've been using it for abt 5yrs now I think? I lost count on certain things use it mainly at night, but there are times I am at home sitting around with a book or watching TV I will use it as well, just feel it can only help. I do not or have ever ckd my sat's I know alot of you mentioned that there is a small device I can buy someone tell me abt it please, I am curious as I am sure the numbers drop at night, but I must tell you all alot of nights I wake up and the tubing is on the floor? not sure why? also do hate those zoro marks on my cheeks in the morning I sleep on my left side. But I can't say antything but good abt the extra o2 Pat-55/CF
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've been using it for abt 5yrs now I think? I lost count on certain things use it mainly at night, but there are times I am at home sitting around with a book or watching TV I will use it as well, just feel it can only help. I do not or have ever ckd my sat's I know alot of you mentioned that there is a small device I can buy someone tell me abt it please, I am curious as I am sure the numbers drop at night, but I must tell you all alot of nights I wake up and the tubing is on the floor? not sure why? also do hate those zoro marks on my cheeks in the morning I sleep on my left side. But I can't say antything but good abt the extra o2 Pat-55/CF
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've been using it for abt 5yrs now I think? I lost count on certain things use it mainly at night, but there are times I am at home sitting around with a book or watching TV I will use it as well, just feel it can only help. I do not or have ever ckd my sat's I know alot of you mentioned that there is a small device I can buy someone tell me abt it please, I am curious as I am sure the numbers drop at night, but I must tell you all alot of nights I wake up and the tubing is on the floor? not sure why? also do hate those zoro marks on my cheeks in the morning I sleep on my left side. But I can't say antything but good abt the extra o2 Pat-55/CF
 

krisgabes

New member
This whole past year I have been on and off IVs and this past March I had brought up that same idea to my doctor. He set me up with an oxygen sat test to use overnight to monitor my levels. It's literally just being hooked up to a pulse ox overnight, the results print out in the morning and get sent to the doctor. I'm assuming each doctor has their own assessment to see if oxygen is needed. Mine doesn't put you on unless your sat is 85 or under. I only went that low once during the night.

His suggestion for me was that if I felt I needed oxygen I should sit in front of a fan for a few minutes, open a window, get fresh air, etc. He said it should give me the same results. Everyone's case is different. I would suggest looking into it.
 

krisgabes

New member
This whole past year I have been on and off IVs and this past March I had brought up that same idea to my doctor. He set me up with an oxygen sat test to use overnight to monitor my levels. It's literally just being hooked up to a pulse ox overnight, the results print out in the morning and get sent to the doctor. I'm assuming each doctor has their own assessment to see if oxygen is needed. Mine doesn't put you on unless your sat is 85 or under. I only went that low once during the night.

His suggestion for me was that if I felt I needed oxygen I should sit in front of a fan for a few minutes, open a window, get fresh air, etc. He said it should give me the same results. Everyone's case is different. I would suggest looking into it.
 

krisgabes

New member
This whole past year I have been on and off IVs and this past March I had brought up that same idea to my doctor. He set me up with an oxygen sat test to use overnight to monitor my levels. It's literally just being hooked up to a pulse ox overnight, the results print out in the morning and get sent to the doctor. I'm assuming each doctor has their own assessment to see if oxygen is needed. Mine doesn't put you on unless your sat is 85 or under. I only went that low once during the night.
<br />
<br />His suggestion for me was that if I felt I needed oxygen I should sit in front of a fan for a few minutes, open a window, get fresh air, etc. He said it should give me the same results. Everyone's case is different. I would suggest looking into it.
 

JennifersHope

New member
The reason they don't put you on O2 if your sats do not go down below 85 is because insurance is not required to pay for it if it doesn't.

In the past I have had O2 concentrator that I used at night but I was able to come off of it,

Right now I am on O2 24/7 because my sats went into the low 80's just sitting still. I have tanks and concentrators.

Orginally to get the home concentrator a few years ago, I did the same thing, I had a pulse ox on my finger over night. I dipped down into the low 80s and remained there for quite a while. I then came off of it and now back on it.

I think it is a great idea to have at home in case you feel like you need it but you should always go by pulse ox because sometimes you feel like you need it and your sats don't say so. Too much o2 is not good either as it can cause you to retain to much CO2
 

JennifersHope

New member
The reason they don't put you on O2 if your sats do not go down below 85 is because insurance is not required to pay for it if it doesn't.

In the past I have had O2 concentrator that I used at night but I was able to come off of it,

Right now I am on O2 24/7 because my sats went into the low 80's just sitting still. I have tanks and concentrators.

Orginally to get the home concentrator a few years ago, I did the same thing, I had a pulse ox on my finger over night. I dipped down into the low 80s and remained there for quite a while. I then came off of it and now back on it.

I think it is a great idea to have at home in case you feel like you need it but you should always go by pulse ox because sometimes you feel like you need it and your sats don't say so. Too much o2 is not good either as it can cause you to retain to much CO2
 
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