Is there a CPAPTALK.COM-like forum for Oxygen users?

[wardmiller]

My wife is a new full-time home user of Oxygen and we have a lot of questions about it. Her doctor's office is very helpful -- up to a point -- but they just don't have much hands on, practical experience. The two DMEs we've been involved with are sort of like the CPAP DMEs (not a lot of help). I'm active in a prostate cancer online forum somewhat similar to this cpaptalk forum, and I know others exist for various subjects, but can't find one for home oxygen users. There was an excellent one but they ran out of funding and closed down several months ago.

For example, I read about how someone solved the tangling of a 25 foot tubing by using their clothes drier. Great! But they didn't mention for how long, or if the heat was on. I also heard someone say they cleaned their nasal cannula frequently, but did not say how they did it. When I asked the DME, she said just get a new one every week. <sigh>

We have a hundred other questions and would like to see them discussed, pro and con, like goes on in this forum. I did a google search, but struck out. Anyone here know of such an online forum?

[Julie]

No, but sure you could find one on Google... suggest you PM Madalot though, she's gone that route too, along with Cpap and could probably answer a lot of your Q's.

[houstonrockets83]

Dme is correct, nasal cannula needs to be replaced every 1-2 weeks , stretch it to 3 only if your not sick at all. They are cheap enough that even changing once a week should not be an issue. The main reason is the cannula soaks up all the dirt and oil from the face and eventually the nose holes can start shrinking. Tubing that does not not constant touch the body can be changed every 90 days.

[Matt00926]

My wife is a new full-time home user of Oxygen and we have a lot of questions about it. Her doctor's office is very helpful -- up to a point -- but they just don't have much hands on, practical experience. The two DMEs we've been involved with are sort of like the CPAP DMEs (not a lot of help). I'm active in a prostate cancer online forum somewhat similar to this cpaptalk forum, and I know others exist for various subjects, but can't find one for home oxygen users. There was an excellent one but they ran out of funding and closed down several months ago.

For example, I read about how someone solved the tangling of a 25 foot tubing by using their clothes drier. Great! But they didn't mention for how long, or if the heat was on. I also heard someone say they cleaned their nasal cannula frequently, but did not say how they did it. When I asked the DME, she said just get a new one every week. <sigh>

We have a hundred other questions and would like to see them discussed, pro and con, like goes on in this forum. I did a google search, but struck out. Anyone here know of such an online forum?

I was a 24/7 oxygen user for a year. I suggest buying nasal cannulas in bulk and replacing them every two weeks (if you have a cold, replace it once it's over if less than two weeks). I don't recommend cleaning it yourself.

If she is able to use an oxygen concentrator (not medical grade oxygen tanks), I recommend the Phillips Respironic's EverFlo Q. It's pretty quiet and you don't need to change the filter yourself (it gets serviced through your DME every year).

You can coil the tubing and then tape the connected part with the cannula to a shirt or run it under your clothes so that it doesn't snag from your arms/movement.

[JDS74]

I searched for "oxygen concentrator" and found this link.
http://boardreader.com/tp/Oxygen%20concentrator.html

It appears to be a message board searcher. Perhaps you could rummage around in there and find what you need.

[wardmiller]

I searched for "oxygen concentrator" and found this link.
http://boardreader.com/tp/Oxygen%20concentrator.html

It appears to be a message board searcher. Perhaps you could rummage around in there and find what you need.

As that link shows, there appear to be many mentions of Oxygen Concentrator in numerous message boards, but apparently none that is devoted to just oxygen home users. Now I can see why the one board I did find finally gave up. Apparently there is just not sufficient interest.

Thanks to all who responded.