Does anyone else think it's strange that I asked my home health company for two oxygen tanks?  I explained to them that my youngest son was born with asthma, and there's probably not a room in my house where an inhaler can't be found.  There's also one in my purse and in the console of each of our vehicles.  Though he's outgrown much of his symptoms (he's almost 10), I remember what it used to be like, and I'm not taking any chances!

My husband and I own our own automotive performance company and generally work out of our home office.  However, we do have a shop and are sometimes there.  When I spoke with the home health care rep, I asked if there was any way I could have a second tank -- even if I had to pay for it -- because just the thought of being somewhere and having a cluster headache hit with no way to treat it was enough to cause a panic attack.  She said she understood completely and would get back to me.

Well, she called back just a few minutes later and said that it would be a problem.  I believe she said I could have two of them -- size "H" -- at the same cost of one and two non-rebreathing masks!

Of course, I will still keep my Stadol in my purse, as I can't really carry an oxygen tank around with me 24/7, but I definitely feel much better knowing that I'm covered at home and at the shop.   

I currently have 3 M-tanks, 6 E-tanks, and 4 D-tanks in my possession. They all belong to Apria.

I think the key words on my prescription are "as needed."

I'm an E-Tank man just because they're much more portable. I keep 8 in my garage, on or off cycle, they're like a security blanket. Like Brew, I have APRIA, they've been awesome. When I call and tell them I have a few empties, they're here the next day. As Kevin mentioned, it does require a different regulator then the large tanks.

Joe

We have 2 M tanks through Lincare.  They are a 24/7 operations so we can call them in the evening and they come right out.  I agree,, the Neuro used the exact script that is recommended in the "Oxygen Info" papers.

Brew wrote on Mar 16^th, 2011 at 10:28am:

Update: I just returned all but the following: 1 M, 1 E, and 1 D (home, office, and car). Haven't used any in almost a year.

Guiseppi wrote on Mar 19^th, 2011 at 5:53pm:

I know, right?

Barry_T_Coles wrote on Mar 19^th, 2011 at 9:29pm:

Once one knows the true value of O2, one will never get caught without it. Even during extended periods of remission.