Oxygen Therapy
Posted , 6 users are following.
My COPD has left me with 30% capacity. I trust my Pulmonary Specialist (Dr.) as he has had me try most of the powder inhalers, a nebulizer, and mist inhalers, Each day is a new adventure as to just how good or bad I will feel throughout the day. All too often it is a roller coaster ride that I can't get off of. I must plan just how I will exert each short burst of energy and where I'm going to pause every 12 feet to pant and regain my breath. Taking a bath or a trip to get groceries from the store is a true ordeal.
When I visit my Dr., he has me do the walk to test my oxygen level as I exert myself. I get 20 feet or so and have to stop and rest leaning on a counter as the Assistant checks the appratius they had placed earlier on my finger. 95 they say, you don't qualify for oxygen they say. I say it's not right that medical providers who would allow oxygen are restricted to prescribing per some arbitrary rule set forth by people that only see money and not patients that should get oxygen. It makes me wonder just how much worse I must get to be qualified for a therapy that I feel would help me greatly.
Frustrated, yes I am. Oxygen could help me live a better life, but I'm denied because my insurance won't cover it. I can't afford oxygen if I had to pay for it all by myself, yet my Dr told me he would write the prescription but my Insurance would not cover it.
Better health if you can pay for it yourself.
0 likes, 26 replies
antoinette99244 larry49033
Posted
Larry, hope you get someone on line to give you a satisfactory answer. I have COPD and 65 percent use of lungs. My doctor after walking test and monitor test said I needed oxygen, I was panting and hyper ventilating. Our medical system says if one's oxygen level is 88 they can get oxygen. I have spoken to pulmonary doctors and they say oxygen does indeed help the lungs, but it is helping the heart more so it does not have to work so hard (anxiety, hypertension, hard to breathe) so go on line to find out more about the use and need of oxygen. I use it at night to sleep and doctors say use it at least 15 hours a day, plus some exercise to strengthen the lungs and heart. This is all I can tell you Larry. Hope you find a doctor that will give you the prrecription for oxygen that you need at 30 percent lung capacity do not know how you can do shopping or anything.
antoinette99244 larry49033
Posted
I see it is the insurance company that will not pay. Can't the doctor intervene in some ways? The insurance board, the head of Insurance companies or the AMA there must be someone to help you pay for what you need. I am so sorry. As I said if you are not in the US I do not know what to say.
mark14566 larry49033
Posted
Hi Larry49033
I also have COPD and have found that if i need to go shopping or visit friends i take 30mg of Diazepam and within thirty mins i'm able to walk further, carry my shopping without having to stop and regain my breath, Dr's dont like to prescribe this drug as it is addictive, however Larry Diazepam halves the amount of oxygen the body needs to function and i have never experienced any side effects, i dont know if you have access to the internet though you should look this up and talk to your Dr about being prescribed this medication, though i do advise you not taking diazepam every day or you will build a tolerance to the drug and not get the same benifits. I warn you though not to venture out if the diazepam makes you unsteady.. what do you have to lose by giving it a try? The very best of luck. Mark
antoinette99244 mark14566
Posted
It seems if Larry's insurance will not pay for oxygen, ask the Ins. company why? If there is a serious need, and it is prescribed I do not see how they can refuse. Is it the kind of insurance policy you have?
True as Mark suggested, get on the internet and make some serious inquiries.
AngelofFL larry49033
Posted
There is also a danger to being on Oxygen if your body doesn't truly need it. I was put on it after breaking all of my ribs on my left side, and collapsing a lung from being punctured by my rib...the doctors told me I changed the structural integrity of my chest by my accident so my lungs could no longer diffuse enough oxygen. After being on it for a year, i slowly started losing my cognitive functions. I felt like I was slowly losing my mind, when I could no longer remember how to set a table with silverware for dinner my husband took me to the hospital and I was retaining Carbon Dioxide from using oxygen. A normal Co2 level should be around 30% and mine was 97%. When we have COPD we can't exhale well enough so the carbon dioxide builds up. I had to start using a bipap at night to help me breath off the co2 and after one night the difference was amazing. I actually had my mind back. Another neat gadget they gave me in the hospital was a breath exerciser called an "Aerobika" this helps you empty your lungs of old air and also help to clear your airways. You should ask your pulmonologist for one and also do you have a nebulizer? Oxygen may not be the answer for you but there are other things you can do to help you get more air, I hope you can find some relief.
antoinette99244 larry49033
Posted
larry49033
Posted
Hello All,
I began this discussion in an effort to promote a discussion on O2 Therapy. I've tried to present my symptoms/life experience as honestly as possible. As much as I appreciate the positive/negative feedback regarding my case, the input about the experiences of others is closer to what I was trying to stimulate.
Any stories, medical information, sleeping programs, eating habits, exercise programs, etc. that can shine more light upon the subject of Oxygen Therapy can only serve to benefit all. Sometimes we don't realise that we have information or had an experience that could help out a fellow sufferer.
Thank you all for your responses and I look forward to reading more in this discussion on O2.