COPD Gold Stage 2, Trelegy Rx, a couple thoracentesis procedures, and still gasping for air with minor exertions. Oximeter pegs to mid-low '80s and then rebound to normal after I rest. So they've put me on a portable pulse O2 unit plus a continuous unit tied to my CPAP.

The portable is a Rhythm P2-E6 which is said to be the smallest and lightest, if not one of, portable units on the market. I'm still adjusting but it feels like a boat anchor hanging off my shoulder.

Any experiences and / or recommendations to share?

Bald, hope it provides the relief and support you need. Guessing you will figure out the best way to be mobile with it. Probably just going to take a bit to get it where and how you want it. Wishing you the best.

Thank you! Much appreciated.

Size=battery life. Smaller units inly deliver small amounts of oxygen. Battery life sucks. Larger unit more oxygen longer battery life.

Pulse can be better than continuous in some cases. Some folks need continuous. Oxygen cylinders suck. Even the samll e-tanks or smaller.

Don't fuck around not wearing it like you should. Can strain your heart and other things.

This is the readers digest version without getting to complicated and seeing your PFT with a metacholine test.

You'll most-likely end up buying bigger batteries for it, increasing the carry-weight even more.

My GF has been on portable oxygen for several years, and damaged her shoulder trying to carry the damn thing, luckily repair was just PT and not surgery.

She ended up getting a walker with a basket, just to carry the unit, and it works.

Batteries are expensive, not covered by Medicare IIRC, and you'll need more than one.

On the good side, she was able to travel to Hawaii with it, go shopping, etc until recently.

My father was on Oxygen for a while. He had a portable unit but I always insisted on taking a tank when I'd do a road trip with him. Never needed it but if the battery and / or car died but I was thinking we'd have some problems. He also had a small cart for moving around with. You might want to look into that. He couldn't stand the shoulder strap. The cart was light, portable, and didn't wreck his shoulder.

I have a rolator (walker with 4 wheels https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...510057905#3510057905 ) that has an underseat storage area. Great for out and about but a no joy inside the house. And that's where I spend most of my time only going out for medical appointments and to pick up prescriptions. My son and his family take care of groceries, mail, trash, etc.

Royal PITA trying to make my queen bed with an under mattress grab bar while struggling with the portable air compresser.

I have nothing useful to add other than humor, which might be the best thing available.

Uncle Cy was on O2 forever ago when I was a kid. He had a tank on wheels and what looked like 50' of tangled up plastic tubing.

At a family gathering, he kept having trouble breathing. Come to find out, Aunt (forget her name) had her chair planted firmly on the hose, pinching it shut. She *said* it was not intentional, but it was family, so I'm leaning towards malicious ass-hattery.

Have been using an Inogen G-3 portable concentrator for just over a year now. Like you, light exertion can put my O2 in the mid eighties range but just in house walking or resting and I am back mid 90s. I use a concentrator at night without the CPAP as I could not tolerate the hose wrapping around my neck. Get yourself a back pack to carry the portable, much more comfortable than the satchel, I also cut some of the excess tube on the cannula and used a coupler to rejoin.

Be careful exerting, I was out w/o O2 on a light chore but suddenly (and I do mean suddenly) I used up all my surplus oxygen and had to get back to the house and my concentrator STAT.

quote:

under mattress grab bar

My dad (87) needs this, which one did you use, were you able to get Medicare to pay for it, his other option would be a medical bed that rises up to help him.

Can't help, but was just thinking of you the other day.

I was in the Irish Whiskey aisle of my local store, saw they had Red Breast, and you immediately came to mind.

All things considered, I hope you are doing well my friend.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

under mattress grab bar

My dad (87) needs this, which one did you use, were you able to get Medicare to pay for it, his other option would be a medical bed that rises up to help him.

I bought a King Pavonini Bed Rail out of my own pocket ($35) and have been quite pleased.

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Get yourself a back pack to carry the portable, much more comfortable than the satchel, I also cut some of the excess tube on the cannula and used a coupler to rejoin.

I'd be concerned about the backpack obstructing the unit's vents (in and out) which could easily cause significant issues with the POC (portable oxygen concentrator). Other than that an interesting idea.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Get yourself a back pack to carry the portable, much more comfortable than the satchel, I also cut some of the excess tube on the cannula and used a coupler to rejoin.

I'd be concerned about the backpack obstructing the unit's vents (in and out) which could easily cause significant issues with the POC (portable oxygen concentrator). Other than that an interesting idea.

Check Amazon where I got mine. They have several packs designed for portable oxygen with vents for air flow. You might also look at your model manufacturers web site.

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Check Amazon where I got mine. They have several packs designed for portable oxygen with vents for air flow. You might also look at your model manufacturers web site.

O2Totes makes one for my model series on Amazon for $50+

I'm wondering if I got a second shoulder strap for the factory case if that might work as a psuedo-backpack. Mmmmm......

As an aside the Rhythm P2-E6 portable pulse concentrator and the DeVilbiss 5 Liter continuous Oxygen Concentrator for my CPAP are both rentals covered by insurance.

My Dad was on portable oxygen. He had several Oxygen tanks in the trunk that would run off the car battery. He would routinely drive several thousand miles with that set up. Perhaps you can do the same or get an engineer to do it for you.
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