Ambulatory oxygen

Right, just looked up Helios portable liquid ox, so if your company does this brand then there's:

\"Helios Plus\" weighs 3.6 pounds (full). Lasts up to 10 hours. is 10 inch high

\"Helios Marathon\" 5.6 pounds.(full) Lasts up to 20 hours. 15 inches high.

Not sure which mine will be but hope its the smallest as I'm not likely to be out and about for more than 10 hours at a time!

Well, that should give you a good picture of what you could expect, but you need to check what brand etc your oxygen company does, but I think they're all either the same or pretty similar.

Also, the \"Mother Tank\" (not sure thats its official title) lasts a few weeks between refills. I'm not sure if they actually fill them or change/replace them---- will tell you wednesday pm! Van xx

PS. think 'mother' is about a metre tall. :zzz: off to kip now! 'nite x

Cheers Van, I knew I could rely on you for facts and stats. Hope you slept well - did not, was sharing a room with my baby granddaughter and had about 3 hours as she was sickly, bless her. Am hoping to \"nap\" when they go home after lunch.

Jacee

x

Hi all, well finally took delivery of my 02 tank and portable 'shoulder bag' this morning. I have been out to the shops etc to try it out and show it off to all and sundry. While it hasn't completely banished my breathlessness it has certainly made a difference and I have been whizzing round (comparatively speaking) full of vim. I have now taken it off and feel so tired and heavy I am going to bed. I've barely slept the past few nights, worrying about Tessa, worrying about my various upcoming tests, worrying about jacee worrying about Tessa, and so on. I had one night with no sleep at all , so now thats it--- all done in. I don't care if it is the middle of the afternoon, I am going to crash for a few hours. Love to all, Vanessa

Hi Van

Well, who has her own oxygen supply then? Not only that, but her own portable shoulder bag too? I am really pleased you got these eventually. No, it does not help a lot with breathlessness, but at least you will not be keeling over through lack of oxygen now; heart pounding, dizzy spells, black patches in your vision? I remember it well!

No wonder you feel rough with so little sleep and so much worry! I hope you feel a little better now (if you are up and have not decided to stay put through until morning, which I probably would). I haven't heard yet about any change for me. Stay happy - and STOP with the worrying. I have found over the years that no amount of sleepless nights and hours spent worrying change the outcomes a jot - they just produce eye bags and wrinkles - be warned!

Jacee

xx

Hi Vanessa I've been on this site for a year now but only found this page tonite. Very quickly cos I'm trying to cook dinner - about DLA perhaps you already have it now It is certainly worth while. Having severe C.O.P.D I get higher rate disability allowance along with mobility allowance. The two amount to quite a tidy sum. I HAVE A NEW CAR WHICH MOTABILITY SUPPLIED along with road tax,insurance etc.,This is paid by D.W.P . to Motability so I don@t see the money. If you don't want a car you can have the cash instead (£49.85) The trick is to get the forms filled in by someone/organiisation who knows how to do it effectively. Must go will be in touch again.

Hi cats and dogs, great to hear from you!

Yes, I have applied for DLA but I filled the form in myself, so whether I made a good job of it remains to be seen. I sent it in a month ago. They did contact me a while back to say that they hadn't yet decided if I was eligible and were contacting my respiratory nurse for more information. I also wrote to them yesterday to confirm that I am now on daytime oxygen --- I don't know if that helps or not. Still, if they do turn me down I will appeal and get a professional on side to help.

I do hope you have bookmarked this page so that you don't lose us again-- and I hope you had a lovely dinner, :wink: best wishes, Vanessa

Hi Van, links - you talked about lack of sleep in an earlier post and the side ads came up with \"Fix baby's sleep patterns

Step-by-step program teaches any infant to sleep through the night!\" If only....................

I am just letting you know that I got my smaller tanks today, they weigh about 3lbs rather than 5.5 lbs (I think) and should be much easier to carry.

Jacee

Brilliant! I bet that will make a big difference -- what we need next is for the boffins to come up with an oxygen tablet! Van xx

hi vanessa,

i have advanced emphysema and my sats are up and down , i get one day resting and sats read 89 ,paulse and 95 ox y but when i start moveing and walking after 2mins i am gasping for breath , and my sats are then 120 pulse and 87 ox , i have to go for a test on the 31st of this month to see if i can get ambulatory oxygen , hopeing they will give it to me as get very tired and cant do much as i would like to do . can you let me know if you got yours and has it made a difference ?

best regards pete.

Hello, I have signed up for a second course of Pulmonary Rehab and had my assessment yesterday. They packed me off to the doctors asking for a second opinion because of a high resting heart rate. I have only been out of hospital for a month after a nice dose of pneumonia, so the doc has put me on a short course of steroids and thinks I am still recovering. I had a phone call from rehab team asking if they could refer me to the COPD team for an assessment for ambulatory oxygen. That struck fear into me. I don't know if I am ready to own up to needing it, it seems like the final step, I was very happy to stumble into this discussion, with people who are positive to this idea. PS good luck with the DLA. My request was turned down the first time and as soon as I said I was going to appeal they reversed the decision without any further action. And don't forget The CEA card that gets a carer into the cinema with you for free. I use that one a lot.

Hello: Just joined the forum. Quite sure my emphysema is advanced. First diagnosed at age 59. Dr.told me I had Chronic Bronchitis. Now I'm 72 and retired and on oxygen. You mentioned going for your last pulmonary rehab and that is why I am commenting to you. My Dr. has scheduled me for a 30 day rehab at the hospital so I am just beginning. Can you let me know in a few words what happen to you at the rehab? I'm not scared, just inquisitive. I'm still alive but have learned the difference between being alive and living. Your experience would be appreciated.