I am having a pretty intense cycle (3rd week) with 2 to 10 hits a day.  Oxygen will take out most of them, but I am going through a lot of tanks.

My 02 provider has suggested an 02 concentrator.  I read the oxygen info provided here that doesn't recommend a concentrator because the LPM flow isn't high enough.  They are telling me that they can provide me with a higher flow 10-15 LPM.  What do you think? 

I am reluctant to try it, because I am still getting hits that the O2 doesn't take out, what if this concentrator doesn't work...I can't deal with anymore pain. 

Anyone have any good experiences with a 02 concentrator?

Thanks

If it were me, I'd stick with the tanks...... Even at a 15 lpm flow you won't be getting pure O2 with a concentrator.

At least 25 lpm from a tank is the way to go for me.

Since they're so concerned about you going through tanks as fast as you are, have they offered either a) bigger tanks, or b) a liquid oxygen setup?

A concentrator - even two hooked up in a "Y" configuration - might get you 15-20 lpm, but it's 85-90% O2 at best. You need 100%. Tell them to look at your doctor's prescription if they have any questions.

I agree with Racer1 and Brew. To get immediate 100% O2 we need the tanks. But there are a few folks on this site that use concentrators.

Hopefully someone that does will chime in about them. But for portability we must have tanks.

Good luck, Don

Quote:

Anyone have any good experiences with a 02 concentrator?

Nope.
They just dont deliver what is required..100% 02 STAT at 25+ lpm
all the best
the bb

OK, here's the deal with the concentrator, I have one and use it for a totally different problem, i have tried every way shape and form of a way to use it with the CH's but nothing will replace and work as good for you as the good ole dependable tanks! Take it from us, you would be wasting your money......and yes everybody I been away forever....please forgive me.....

Mikey.... :)

Thanks for your advice and input.  I went in asking questions about the concentration of O2, and she wasn't happy with me trusting the information that I got from "some site off the internet".  And she really didn't like it when I said that I trusted the information from this site more than her!  She couldn't understand why I wouldn't just try it and see if it worked.  No thank you!  Why give up something that works 95% of the time for something that I don't know if it will work?

The main problem is that I need an M tank and they don't have any available.  I hate having to switch tanks in the middle of the night.

So now I have to deal with this frustration as well as the headaches, because she also said that they don't have to fill my prescription because she doesn't believe that I am using my oxygen properly with "their" mask.  So I have left messages with the owner...playing phone tag, waiting to find out what is happening...

Brew...can you tell me more about a liquid oxygen set up?
Thanks
CC

Hi CC,

You may want to get in touch with Batch or ClusterChuck here on this site about the pros and cons of gas vs. liquid O2 - they are the resident O2 experts.  I've only used tanks... but here is a blurb from my O2 supplier on Liquid.  If I had to deal with people like you mention, I would consider changing companies if it were an option.   :-?

Val
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Liquid Oxygen (from Apria O2 supplier website)

A stationary liquid oxygen system includes a reservoir in which oxygen is stored, a flowmeter, connecting tubing, and a mask or nasal cannula. As the oxygen moves through the coils of the system, it warms and returns to a gaseous state, allowing the patient to breathe the product. This system does not require electricity or need a motor to operate. These units must be filled by one of our patient service technicians on a biweekly or monthly basis. High liter flow or very active patients may require this system.

A portable liquid oxygen system is used in conjunction with the stationary system. A patient is taught to fill the portable directly from the stationary unit. The portable functions in much the same manner as the stationary system.

Spoke to the owner and since I was unwilling to try the concentrator he explained that they only had D tanks available,  so this morning at 7:30 I realized that I only had 1 tank left, called their emergency number and the owner met my husband and got me a M tank!  I can't even describe the extreme relief I felt watching him bring that tank in the house!  What a lot of frustration over the last week, but I now have the security of my M tank,  I think I might just make it through this one.

I was in the exact same boat till Friday. Phew it's a huge relief. To see that M tank. I actually cried when I got home and saw all if it in my garage.

cherylc wrote on Nov 15^th, 2009 at 7:44pm:

Spoke to the owner and since I was unwilling to try the concentrator he explained that they only had D tanks available,  so this morning at 7:30 I realized that I only had 1 tank left, called their emergency number and the owner met my husband and got me a M tank!  I can't even describe the extreme relief I felt watching him bring that tank in the house!  What a lot of frustration over the last week, but I now have the security of my M tank,  I think I might just make it through this one.

Way to go!!!! That's fighting the good fight!! Pain free wishes!  :)