Can anyone help with home oxygen tank use?
My father is worrying me. He normally has it set at 2 but lately has been running it at 6. When he tries to back it down, he feels short of breath and has to crank it back up. Is this bad for him to increase his intake this much? Should I be worried?
If it helps, he has emphasema (sp?) and needs the oxygen 24 hrs to breathe (and can you believe he still smokes? It kills me). I don’t know if the oxygen intake is like a prescription and he is overdosing or something….
Can anyone help me on this one?
Thanks!
I’m on oxygen 24/7 also because I have pulmonary fibrosis/pulmoanry hypertension with congestive heart failure. My setting is at 3 and if I turn it up it makes me physically ill. I couldn’t get my oxygen from the health care provider until my doctor gave them a prescription for me. The company I deal with has Respiratory Therapists that make somewhat regular routine house calls to check on the equipment and how I’m doing. You might want to call your dad’s oxygen company and see if they can come out and talk to him. He definitely needs to see his doctor if he’s doing this. The emphysema sounds like it may be getting worse–especially since he’s still smoking. Ask him if he has a death wish? If he says no, telll he must if he can’t give up the habit. I know smoking is one of the hardest addictions to stop, but when you can see your life on the line you’d think that would be incentive enough. The doctor may increase his oxygen level, especially if his saturation rate is low. Is he on the cannisters or on liquid oxygen? Maybe he would do better on the liquid if he’s not already on that. I made the switch and it helped my breathing tremendously–plus it’s a lot easier to use.
You’re a good daughter to worry about your dad and to try to help him, but just remember he has to help himself. With the new privacy laws you may not be able to talk to your dad’s doctor, but you can pass a message on to the nurse to give to the doctor saying that you’r concerned about his breathing. The doctor can schedule an appointment and you can go in with him at that time and tell the doctor what’s going on. Good luck to you both.
You should call his doctor and tell him whats going on. Yes it can be dangerous to turn up the oxygen like that.
since he has had to increase the flow so much i would be concerned. that he has increased the flow shows he is having more trouble breathing get him to a doctor as soon as possible. as for the smoking part he should not be smoking at all. i just hope he is not smoking while he is hooked up to the oxygen as that can be very dangerous as oxygen is highly flammable and the tanks can explode and they will fly just like a rocket when they take off
Don’t let him turn it up this high. I can understand though. Mine was on 2 1/2 % and this still did not feel like enough.I did some crazy home remedy’s to try to help myself breath better.I hope he is not smoking while he is on his oxygen. He can get burned up like that. The fire can flashback from his oxygen line.This is deadly. Get him back to the doctor. They can help him besides him having to turn his oxygen up.They put me on some kind of a machine that pulsed the oxygen into me because I could not breath it in. It was hooked to my H2O tank.One time, they put me on Helio-Gas with my oxygen.When I talked, I sounded like Donald Duck. I was in the hospital for this one.He may have phenomena and they can help him a little. As sad as it is though, he is slowly smothering to death. This is exactly what smoking cigarettes does to some people. I went through this. It is a horrible way to die. It is so scary. I really do feel for him and you because you are also suffering. If people could only realize how horrible this is. I was truly blessed. I was called in time for my transplant. I had only 7 % usage of my lungs on the last test. Don’t know how much more I lost befor they called. I wish I had some better news to give you.You and your dad will be in my mind ,in my heart and in my prayers.
I have emphysema also. I am on oxygen 24/7. I was able to quit smoking & I feel much better since I did. Forget the smoking with your dad. Nothing you say is going to make him quit. He has to be ready & he has to do it on his own. Much like an alcoholic, no one can help him but himself.
His oxygen had to be prescribed by his doctor or he could not get it. He would have one setting for resting & one setting when he is up & moving around being active. 2 is a very low setting & 6 is very high. He should never play with the settings on his own without his doctor’s permission or talking to a respiratory therapist. He could hurt more organs than his lungs by doing that.
You need to call his doctor & ask what is going on as far as the settings. I am sure the doctor would want to see him. He can call the place he gets his oxygen from & they can tell you what he is supposed to have his settings at.
I feel bad for him & for you. Emphysema is a terrible disease. He is making his life worse but I understand that too. Some days you don’t want to go on.
Good Luck & make some phone calls tomorrow.
I am also on oxygen like many of your other responders (pulmonary fibrosis). Your father sounds like he is experiencing a condition called dyspnea. Dyspnea is defined as difficult or labored breathing, or shortness of breath. It is a common symptom with advanced lung disease. Dyspnea can cause serious problems if not addressed. These problems can be both physical and emotional. Whether the increase to 6 on his oxygen is actually helping him physically, it is helping him mentally. Many people who suffer from dyspnea are prescribed drugs like valium (it calms them down, lowers their heart rate and breathing to allow them to relax). If you want to know what he feels like, try exercising while breathing through a straw. That’s probably the closest thing I can think of that mimics dyspnea. The shortness of breath is horrible, and the panic that ensues only worsens the condition.
My advice like many others, is to bring this up with his doctor as soon as possible. He should stop smoking as well. Smoking causes his CO2 levels to increase which only makes dyspnea worse. He should be proud of you. Call his doctor. Good luck to you both.