Supplemental Oxygen ordered

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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mummmz
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Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Thu May 19, 2022 8:17 pm

I had a Pulmonary Function Test with stress today. At 3 minutes I was told to stop walking and was put on oxygen to finish the test because my O2 went down to 86. Now the doctor has ordered 2 liters stationary & portable oxygen for me. I don't know what to expect. I requested they send the orders to a local DME in town and I called them an hour later to be sure the are preferred providers for my insurance plan (FEP Blue Cross Basic). I let them know I use a CPAP but I have still so many questions! I did a search of the forum but didn't see any recent posts about O2 use with CPAP. I will need to use O2 during the day too.

Will this be 2 separate devices?
Will I get oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators like Imogen? I see other brands that are much less expensive but I don't know which ones are any good. I don't like the idea of just accepting whatever the DME wants to give me without some research.
Is it better to rent or purchase the equipment?
How much will it cost? My insurance says I am responsible for 30% of allowable charges but gives no indication of what those are. I will be eligible for Medicare in October but I can't wait until then. The DME mentioned I will have to get approved again when I get Medicare.

Can anyone tell me what to expect?

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

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ozij
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by ozij » Thu May 19, 2022 11:20 pm

mummmz wrote:
Thu May 19, 2022 8:17 pm
I did a search of the forum but didn't see any recent posts about O2 use with CPAP
You could google "cpap mask oxygen connection" (use the quotes in the search box)

Or you could start here: https://www.cpap.com/blog/complete-guid ... ap-oxygen/

I can't help you with insurance questions.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
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Ray4852
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by Ray4852 » Fri May 20, 2022 5:48 am

what to expect. don't wish for medicare. I'm very close to needing oxygen myself with my cpap. my readings are on the boarder line. some nights my numbers go down to 81 other nights they stay around 90 to 86. I have done all the research I need now. if I have to go on oxygen. I'm keeping my insurance out of it. medicare won't cover a portable concentrator. they only cover tanks and a home concentrator. I need a portable because I do a lot of camping off grid. my portable concentrator will cover my house and camping needs all with one machine. if I have to go on oxygen. I think it will cost me about 5 grand for a concentrator and a 200 amp lithium battery. what's 5 grand today. nothing.

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Fri May 20, 2022 9:02 am

Thanks for your input. I'll definitely keep my Blue Cross plan and add Medicare. If I could wish away getting older I wouldn't need to wish for medicare. Good to know medicare doesn't pay for a portable concentrator. Maybe I can just get a portable one through my insurance for now and wait to get the home one when I get on Medicare. I've been falling and can't figure out why. Part of it may be a drop in O2. Sometimes I do feel lightheaded. I'm concerned I'll crack my head on the tile floor. I would like to feel safe walking around my home. The doctor wants me to use O2 when I'm walking around. I really don't want to have to drag a tank around. I would probably stumble on it and fall.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

Ray4852
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by Ray4852 » Fri May 20, 2022 10:57 am

My problem, my Hemoglobin is a tad a little high. my doctor told me to dry and take a little weight off. if I have to go on oxygen while I sleep. I'm ready for the next step. the machines I like are the sequal eclipse and the oxlife independence both high end portables. your case is different than mine. if you need it all the time. your insurance might cover it. call them now and see what they can do for you. my case they won't cover my portable because they consider a portable a luxury idem not oxygen. lol

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri May 20, 2022 11:15 am

Another thing to consider:
Capacity--determine your prescription (some folks need more flow than others);
then compare to the output of concentrators you are considering.
Battery capacity, as well. Do the math, and ensure you have enough power to
go where you want--and then some.
Then have fun--your life can be fuller than you could imagine.

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Fri May 20, 2022 11:28 am

Ray4852 wrote:
Fri May 20, 2022 10:57 am
My problem, my Hemoglobin is a tad a little high. my doctor told me to dry and take a little weight off. if I have to go on oxygen while I sleep. I'm ready for the next step. the machines I like are the sequal eclipse and the oxlife independence both high end portables. your case is different than mine. if you need it all the time. your insurance might cover it. call them now and see what they can do for you. my case they won't cover my portable because they consider a portable a luxury idem not oxygen. lol
Ray, I went to a hematologist because my red blood cells were too high. After a blood test to be sure it wasn't due to a genetic problem she said it's due to sleep apnea and she suggested I donate blood. I did and it works. She explained making more RBCs is the body's way on compensating for the lack of oxygen. I may need to donate again soon since they are a little higher than normal right now but I want to see my pulmonary doctor again next week before I do. I'll research the 2 machines you suggested. Oxygen therapy is new for me and I'm just starting to learn more about it. Thanks

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Fri May 20, 2022 11:39 am

chunkyfrog wrote:
Fri May 20, 2022 11:15 am
Another thing to consider:
Capacity--determine your prescription (some folks need more flow than others);
then compare to the output of concentrators you are considering.
Battery capacity, as well. Do the math, and ensure you have enough power to
go where you want--and then some.
Then have fun--your life can be fuller than you could imagine.
Good things to look for Chunkyfrog, thanks. I saw Inogen had several models with different flow settings and single or double batteries. I'm sure the double batteries also weigh more. It seems like it would be better to have 2 singles and change it out if needed. Inogen is a very expensive brand it seems but they also have the most advertising so they're easy to research. For now I'm on 2 liters/minute so most models can support that. I'm retired so it would be mostly short trips around town but I want the option to go out for the day as well.
Fun for me right now would be to get to walk around the house without fear of falling. But I do so hope I can get back to normal activity going anywhere I want. At least as much as possible in this Covid time.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Fri May 20, 2022 7:10 pm

Well, at 6pm today I finally had a Phillips Respironics EverFlo home concentrator and 2 14" tall oxygen tanks delivered. Tubing, a bag to carry the small tank, and an adapter to connect to the CPAP are included. I have to call tomorrow to see what happened to the portable concentrator. I suppose using the small tank can work but I would want a couple more in house so I don't have to do a tank exchange several times a week. The batteries in the portable concentrator's last about the same length of time as the tank. I'm sitting here at 98% O2 sat right now so I'm happy about that.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

Ray4852
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by Ray4852 » Sat May 21, 2022 7:32 am

I see the doctor Tuesday. I'm going to ask him about giving blood. my primary doctor said my blood is to thick. I know I need another blood test. last test my Hemoglobin number was 17.5. normal is 13.2 to 17.0. if I can give blood, I will do it.

those to portables I mentioned. those machines are very heavy. I wouldn't want to lug one of them around. you need something lite. What I like about the machines I picked out. they put out 3 liters of oxygen continuous flow and I think up to 9 for paulse. these machines run on portable batteries for about 2 hours. if I have to get one. I'm going to use it with a deep cycle battery. for home use. plug it to house power and camping plug it to my battery.

you have another option you can do. make your own oxygen. the oxygen company will set up a machine for you. all you do is stick your tank into it and the machine fills the tank for you. you can fill enough tanks to get you thru the night. this system is very cheap. insurance will cover all of it. you can put in for a discount for electric use too.

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Wed May 25, 2022 5:04 pm

Ray4852 wrote:
Sat May 21, 2022 7:32 am
I see the doctor Tuesday. I'm going to ask him about giving blood.

Wondering what your doctor said about donating blood.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

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mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Wed May 25, 2022 5:25 pm

I went to the pulmonary doctor today. She's still not sure why my O2 is dropping so now I'll have a Bronchial challenge with methacholine to see if it's asthma. I also have an Echo of the heart scheduled for next week. I brought my CPAP SD card but the computer they use to read the cards was sent out for repair. So...I had an Oscar print-out of last night with me and gave it to her. She says, these pressure settings look wonky. I admitted I had changed them several years ago and the settings were working well for me. She doesn't know how I got into the settings but please change the upper setting to 15. I told her just press and hold both buttons to get into the tech settings. lol She was nice about it though and liked the Oscar report. Should I make a change?
I've attached last night's report. What in the world happened between 23:20 -1? I think I finally got up to go to the bathroom at 1.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment

Ray4852
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:24 am

Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by Ray4852 » Thu May 26, 2022 8:31 am

HI
yes I saw the doctor Tuesday. I ask him if I donate blood will it help lower my Hemoglobin. it will help a little but not fix my problem. my problem is all related to my sleep apnea. my new blood test was little better but not enough. last test was 17.5, new test 17.3. I'm still over the border line. but not bad. we talked it over and told him. I don't think its going to come down to normal levels. I told him. I don't want to go thru medicare because they won't cover a portable concentrator. they will pay for a home one but I need it when I go camping. He said I go on 2 liter of oxygen now for night sleeping only. I checked around my area for a good price for a portable. the local prices were terrible for the one I wanted. they wanted 5 grand for the sequal eclipse 5. I been doing my research on these machines, where to get the best deal. I checked a few places that sell them for people that want to pay for one out of pocked. I got the machine I wanted for 2,300 dollars. it will be here tomorrow. this machine will be used at home with ac power and when I go camping, I take it with me. I plug into with Dc power from a lithium battery. on 2 liters it will probably draw about 100 watts of power for one hour. on 3 liter it draws about 150 watts, and one liter 52 watts. this is a high end machine. I didn't order a battery with this machine. those batteries don't last long. they are to expensive. when I get it. I will play around with it with my battery setup now. it will tell me how watts I take out for an 8 hour night. this is a very good machine. the pulse setting go up to 9. its comes with a cart for somebody that needs oxygen 24 hours.

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ozij
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by ozij » Thu May 26, 2022 10:34 am

mummmz wrote:
Wed May 25, 2022 5:25 pm
What in the world happened between 23:20 -1? I think I finally got up to go to the bathroom at 1
When you say you "finally got up to to the bathroom at 1" do you mean you were tossing and turning restlessly before that?

Is it possible that your hose was dragging across something firm, making the machine think you were snoring? Do you usually get such intense long snore episodes?

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023

User avatar
mummmz
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Re: Supplemental Oxygen ordered

Post by mummmz » Thu May 26, 2022 5:54 pm

ozij wrote:
Thu May 26, 2022 10:34 am
mummmz wrote:
Wed May 25, 2022 5:25 pm
What in the world happened between 23:20 -1? I think I finally got up to go to the bathroom at 1
When you say you "finally got up to to the bathroom at 1" do you mean you were tossing and turning restlessly before that?

Is it possible that your hose was dragging across something firm, making the machine think you were snoring? Do you usually get such intense long snore episodes?
I probably was tossing and turning. I don't remember if I got up but I assume I did. I will hit the off button, take off my mask, and go almost every night so I guess that accounts for the gap in time. The hose does drag across the end of the night table at times. I didn't realize that would register as a snore. It's unusual for it to happen that much though. I'll try to rearrange things so the hose doesn't drag.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Mask + 2 Replacement Cushions Bundle
Additional Comments: Autopap Min 8.4, max 15, ramp off, flex 3, heated humidity off, O2 therapy added 5/20/22 & discontinued 8/26/22 after asthmas dx/treatment