Oxygen use?

[mxbob]

While taking a treadmill stress test it was discovered that my blood oxygen went down as my heart rate went up. So it sounds like I may have to go on oxygen. Anyone here on oxy .any comments or advice?
Thanks
Bob Ray

[Erich]

My only thought is that you probably shouldn't call it "oxy" . . . calls to mind something else entirely.

Best of luck getting it figured out so you can do all the stuff you'd like to be doing.

[shouldazagged]

Mxbob, I've been on oxygen for a couple of months now and am getting used to it pretty well.

One tip I can give you for certain. If you have back problems as I do, and don't use the portable oxygen generator, by far the most comfortable way to carry the portable tanks is in a backpack. I bought one of L.L. Bean's basic student packs with the padding in the back panel. Much easier to carry and keeps both hands free. So far nobody has asked me if I'm going hiking at Kroger.

The nasal cannula ceased to bother me early on.

I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. After a sleep oxymetry study (they just gave me a little electronic monitor to sleep with), my lung doc ordered a fitting to attach the line from my at-home oxygen concentrator where the hose connects to the pump unit so I get O2 as I sleep. I find I'm sleeping better that way.

I think the seven-foot line from the portable cylinder is more convenient than the four-footer, especially if I have to shed the backpack to drive or sit in a waiting room, etc. Of course, for those occasions you can also use the shoulder bag provided with the oxygen, but I much prefer the pack.

You're going to find you feel better and get around more comfortably now. Enjoy it.

[Inusuit]

I'm on oxygen at night. I have a good friend who's 72 years old and wears one of the portable generating units. In the last 6-7 years, he has bicycled over 7500 miles in the continental US and Alaska. On oxygen. So don't let it slow you down.

[walkinghorse]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Mxbob, I've been on oxygen for a couple of months now and am getting used to it pretty well.

One tip I can give you for certain. If you have back problems as I do, and don't use the portable oxygen generator, by far the most comfortable way to carry the portable tanks is in a backpack. I bought one of L.L. Bean's basic student packs with the padding in the back panel. Much easier to carry and keeps both hands free. So far nobody has asked me if I'm going hiking at Kroger.

The nasal cannula ceased to bother me early on.

I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. After a sleep oxymetry study (they just gave me a little electronic monitor to sleep with), my lung doc ordered a fitting to attach the line from my at-home oxygen concentrator where the hose connects to the pump unit so I get O2 as I sleep. I find I'm sleeping better that way.

I think the seven-foot line from the portable cylinder is more convenient than the four-footer, especially if I have to shed the backpack to drive or sit in a waiting room, etc. Of course, for those occasions you can also use the shoulder bag provided with the oxygen, but I much prefer the pack.

You're going to find you feel better and get around more comfortably now. Enjoy it.

Shuddazagged you covered most everything I learned from an exposure with O2 and CPAP.
After another medical issue, a new Neurologist had another sleep study done. Based upon this sleep study airway obstructions were still occurring at 15.6 events per hour with CPAP and CPAP/O2, so changed to APAP which resolved issues and no O2 required with its safety hazards. Different therapies available are CPAP, APAP, and biPAP.
O2 therapy is required for many medical conditions, and you seem to be adjusting and accommodating as well as possible in maintaining your lifestyle, best of luck!
As you stated getting good sleep of quality does make life better in many ways!

[WC145]

Originally Posted by mxbob

While taking a treadmill stress test it was discovered that my blood oxygen went down as my heart rate went up. So it sounds like I may have to go on oxygen. Anyone here on oxy .any comments or advice?
Thanks
Bob Ray

What did your oxygen saturation start at, what did it drop to, and how long did it take? What was your target heart rate and how long did it take until you reached it walking on the treadmill? I assume they used the Bruce protocol - 3 minute stages, starting low and slow, increasing speed and elevation with each stage.

Was the drop in O2 saturation the only issue?

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by WC145

What did your oxygen saturation start at, what did it drop to, and how long did it take? What was your target heart rate and how long did it take until you reached it walking on the treadmill? I assume they used the Bruce protocol - 3 minute stages, starting low and slow, increasing speed and elevation with each stage.

Was the drop in O2 saturation the only issue?

Seems a little personal . . .

[mxbob]

WC 145
Oxy at the start was 98%. Rate was 55 goal was 120, got to about 90 when the oxy dropped to 81 and they stopped the mill and gave me meds to simulate the heart rate. I still havent gotten the official results as Dr busy. Supposed to find out Wed. I did not like the meds they gave me, felt bad the rest of the day. Thanks for any info
Bob

[Aticus]

I've been on oxygen and CPAP since 09. CPAP helps me sleep but only if I feed in enough O2.

My problem is my lungs. Over the last several years I've had to learn to just turn the regulator up and keep on going. I don't walk far these days but I still manage to get around. To paraphrase Dr. Strangelove, I've learned to stop worrying and love the tank.

You're going to get depressed and frustrated at times. Don't give in to that. I've found the best thing for depression and frustration is grab a gun and shoot something. Animate, inanimate, if it gets in front of the back stop shoot it. Boy howdy does that help! I also read a lot. I always have. Losing yourself in a good novel WILL wash your mind of any ****. I might recommend P. G. Wodehouse for humor particularly his books with Jeeves and Wooster.

I don't mean this to be a downer just to let you know you can tell all those little frustrations to go stuff themselves where the sun don't shine and get on with what you want to do. Think how many you might inspire if you have a positive out look. Oh boy did that sound PC or what.

I gotta end this so I can go check into a new holster. Enjoy!

Someone once told me to laugh at your troubles, everyone else does!

I was going to edit this with something pithy but I had a brain fart and don't remember what it was.

[Whitwabit]

Been on O2 now for 2 years .. I have a Inogen One O2 Concentrator .. its portable about 4.5 pounds and will put out up to 4 liters of O2 .. I us 2 liters when I exert myself during walking or other exercise ..

I'm also a CPAP user and use a BIPAP machine only I have Central Sleep Apnea which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.. not the usual obstructive apnea .. not using O2 at night least not yet .. but see it in my future in the next year or two !!

Sounds like you'll have to use O2 under exertion like its been prescribed for me but not continuously yet .. it should make you feel better and you may not be as tired as you are now after doing anything physical .. least that's how it helped me ..

Good Luck with it .. you'll do fine !!

[rwsmith]

Don't get it near fire or flame. This is probably common knowledge now, but I though it good to mention it.