Portable Oxygen Good News

[Stormynights]

Thanksgiving was heart breaking for me. My husband didn't want to take a larger tank of oxygen and long story short I said that I would never leave my house again. I have been so depressed since then I can hardly stand myself. I know other people have it so much worse than I do and I really try to not be a baby about this but sitting in this house for the rest of my life watching it get filthier by the day because my back hurts too bad to keep it up makes me very depressed.

My friend from high school told me she has a portable oxygen machine that she can use full time instead of the big machine and portable tanks. We have the same insurance. I wish I had one like hers so I wouldn't be a PITA to have to take everywhere. Does anyone know about these little machines? We can't afford to buy one without insurance and I already have the big one the insurance bought or rents or whatever they do.

I really need help with this. I can't stand being this depressed anymore.

[BlackSpinner]

I can't help you with the O2 concerns but I suggest you ask for a house cleaning service for Christmas from the kids. It is really amazing how much a pro can clean in 2 hours per week. And it is much easier on everyone if the kids don't do the actual cleaning.

Oh and hugs - change is hard.

[Julie]

Have you tried e.g. your local Lion's Club (or similar service club)? Fire your husband!

[Stormynights]

Thank you for the replies. My husband is normally so kind and supportive and I think it was even worse because I am not used to this out of him. I have cried everyday about this but not around him except for Thanksgiving day.

[rockyp9]

If you are on 3LPM of O2 or less the portable concentrators are a godsend. I had my doctor prescribe the Airsep Freestyle , my insurance approved it, and I'm now more active than before I went on oxygen. The activity, as well as not having to depend on others, has improved my health tremendously, not only physically but mentally.

[Stormynights]

If you are on 3LPM of O2 or less the portable concentrators are a godsend. I had my doctor prescribe the Airsep Freestyle , my insurance approved it, and I'm now more active than before I went on oxygen. The activity, as well as not having to depend on others, has improved my health tremendously, not only physically but mentally.

Do you have the big one and a small one too?

[Hawthorne]

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I have no advice re the oxygen. I understand that there are portable devices but don't know anything about it except that I have a friend who has the big tank in the house and portable ones so that she can get out and about more easily. I am In Canada but I am sure these are available in the US as well.

As for the housecleaning - I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and cannot do the house cleaning. My husband has helped but men don't seem to see things that need cleaning.

I have a housecleaning service come in. I just have them once a month because it can get expensive. There's just my husband and I and our cat so once a month is fine. I do have to do some cleaning in the bathroom between their visits. I can tell you that it does wonders for my state of mind to not be thinking that I am disabled and I unable to clean the house. I know that is depressing! Having a disability can be depressing enough and having a cleaning service does make me feel better. A least I don't have to be worrying about that.

I think your husband needs a good talking to by maybe the doctor.

[knightlite]

I have a good friend on auto bi-pap with oxygen . I have been watching his health and his progress. He has settled on the big machine in his house in a side room to get the noise and the heat away from him ,he has a long green hose that allows him to roam the house at will . The green visibility is great , if the machine acts up it is usually a kink in the hose . He was still doing the vacuuming and some heavy cleaning and he is very big heavy person .
He has the two different size tanks and he uses a scuba like demand regulator with cannula for those . He sits outside and visits with the neighbors most days . He even visited Colorado on an 600 mile car trip. He looked into the small machines and they are very expensive and wear out very quickly . He could afford them but he decided against them .
The dme suggested he could take the big machine in his suv , and he arranged bottle exchange in Colorado . Plus he was on breathing therapy and worked his way up to breathing well enough to go to 8 minutes on the tread mill. I was impressed with the breathing therapy and his progress .
I hope some others chime in with some positive oxygen experiences to help you out . If you are getting down over your cleaning then act on it and get some pro help , this stressing is hard on your health . Best of luck to you.

[Goofproof]

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I have no advice re the oxygen. I understand that there are portable devices but don't know anything about it except that I have a friend who has the big tank in the house and portable ones so that she can get out and about more easily. I am In Canada but I am sure these are available in the US as well.

As for the housecleaning - I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and cannot do the house cleaning. My husband has helped but men don't seem to see things that need cleaning.

I have a housecleaning service come in. I just have them once a month because it can get expensive. There's just my husband and I and our cat so once a month is fine. I do have to do some cleaning in the bathroom between their visits. I can tell you that it does wonders for my state of mind to not be thinking that I am disabled and I unable to clean the house. I know that is depressing! Having a disability can be depressing enough and having a cleaning service does make me feel better. A least I don't have to be worrying about that.

I think your husband needs a good talking to by maybe the doctor.

Men see housework from a different prospective. What a woman considers a dirty mess, a man ignores or re evaluates.

Messes: Does it interfere with moving from point A to B, in so move it to the side.

Clutter: If you aren't going to use it or wear it in 3 days, maybe put it away.

Dishes in the sink: Rinse them then set them in the sink, or wash and set in the drier rack. If it's something you aren't going to use in 3 days put away so you can fit more in the drainer.

Clothes: Change as needed according to what you are going to be doing, if you aren't going to wear in 3 days wash!

Snacks: Keep at arms reach, eat fast keep them fresh.

End Tables: Are for keeping remotes on, Do Not Remove, or place out of reach. Man Need Remotes!

Some men may say these ideas are wrong, they need to have their Testosterone checked, ot at least check if their pants are on backwards. Jim

[Roger2]

Thanksgiving was heart breaking for me. My husband didn't want to take a larger tank of oxygen and long story short I said that I would never leave my house again. I have been so depressed since then I can hardly stand myself. I know other people have it so much worse than I do and I really try to not be a baby about this but sitting in this house for the rest of my life watching it get filthier by the day because my back hurts too bad to keep it up makes me very depressed.

Hi,
I can emphasize with your predicament as I have been on external oxygen since 2002 and my usage or flow rate has steadily gone up as I get older. Right now, my flow rate is 3.5 liters while sitting doing nothing like watching television. If I do anything like run the vacuum machine I have to crank it up to about 5 or so. If you are near the mountains, the higher up you go the greater your bodies demand for increased flow to maintain a acceptable saturation point. At Vail’s altitude I have to crank it up to 8-12 and that is just sitting in the car driving. You need to get an pulse oximeter to gauge it with. Whatever you do is probably going to be a compromise and there is really not a whole lot available that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

[Hawthorne]

You should look into what your insurance MIGHT provide, in the way of portable oxygen - in addition to your big tank. You won't know until you look into it. If your insurance won't cover portable oxygen as well as the big tank, then ask your doctor what leads he/she might have to get you some. Hopefully it will not cost too much, if anything.

There is a lady who grocery shops when I do sometimes. She has a neat little portable oxygen tank that just sits in a cloth case in her shopping cart. It doesn't take up much room.
I know my friend had 6 little portable ones that she only used when she went out.

I'm in Canada, as I said, but there should be some way to get portable oxygen in the US.

[Stormynights]

I have the little tanks but they only last about an hour. That doesn't do very well on outings. I am going to call tomorrow to see if I can get a portable concentrator.

[Hawthorne]

Sounds like a good plan! I don't know enough about oxygen therapy to know about portable concentrators.

Good luck! I hope you get this sorted out soon!

[Stormynights]

I called Inogen and I have been approved by my insurance for a portable concentrator. I am so excited. The lady said it would be covered 100%. I am so excited. I just have to wait now for it to be delivered.

[Bunsen]

What good news! In our community we have a free mobility van that takes folks with disabilities to doctors, shopping, etc. Maybe withe new oxygen you could even get out of the house without your husband? Good for both of you??