On Oxygen 24/7 - How Do You Manage?

@btdrmwvr I order my 50 foot tubing from Amazon. I found tubing that is purple and doesn’t crimp like some of the green tubing.

@crystalena When I had Apria, they supplied me with an Inogen portable. I have Medicare Advantage policy with Humana and they covered it and a home unit and my part is 22$. The only bottle I have is one for emergencies. You might want to check with your insurance or shop around. The portables are so nice and you can charge the battery in the car also. I get about 3 hours without a charge.

I generally don’t need the full 50’, so I keep the extra hose hanging up out of the way. If I need it, I just take the additional amount off. When returning to the concentrator, I pick up the extra closest to me and carry it. Then I drop it and hang up the other portion. Regardless, it will still want to hang up EVERYTHING!

@stevelc Hi Steve, I had an Inogen 3 years ago . It never did work for me . I needed 4 ltrs and they did not have one for me . I am way happier with my even flow tank . The regulator on it is easy to use and I get all the oxygen I can use . Thanks . I am glad you enjoy yours . 3 hours is good on a battery . My tanks only last me 2 hours . I carry a spare in the car if I go out . I actually have a cart that will hold two tanks . I haven’t used it yet…. Apria is a great oxygen company . I use them too . I had some others , it is by far superior to all of them . Best to you , Crystalena

@crystalena
when you say even flow tank are you referring to oxygen tanks and if so what size? You are referring to the tanks that you pull around on the cart with wheels? I have an Inogen but set on 4 does not bring my O2 up enough. I should have gotten the model with higher settings.

@irenea8 I am referring to tanks you pull around on carts . I use the E size . It is 27” high 4 .35 in diameter . I use 4 ltrs when active . This tank lasts me 2.3 hours. Of course longer if I turn it down to 3 when not active . So riding in a car , I turn it down . Sitting at a diner, or waiting , I turn it down . Walking, I have it on 4 ltrs . It is a continuous flow. Easy to control with the regulator at the top. The numbers on the regulator represent ltrs . The numbers on your Inogen do not. They are only numbers on a dial. I had an Inogen also . I rented mine from Apria . It did not keep up . I didn’t get around very well .I had to stop and sit . Use my oximeter to know when it finally caught up. I had it about 2 weeks . Terrible . Now I know that those numbers are not ltrs . That machine is not what they want people to believe. If you don’t use much oxygen. They have a large concentrator that you can have in your home . That machine actually can fill smaller bottles / tanks that you can carry in a bag . I spoke with a lady who was using one . She says even at home she uses those small bottles because they free her from an oxygen line. I was offered one when I got my consentrator. I prefer the larger tanks . The cart doesn’t bother me . I get 2 hours from one tank . I carry spare . I like continuous flow. I get all I need . It is simple. No playing with my oxygen level . When your oxygen level goes below 88 your body is being damaged. All those few moments under 88 add up. I want the best flow I can have . I’m not caring about stares from people . I just smile. That Inogen I had was noisy , actually people stared at it more . Best to you , Crystalena

@crystalena
Thank you Crystalena, Yes I know the Inogen portable numbers are not liters. It is rather deceptive of them to not make that clear in their marketing. The 4 setting is not enough for me. But I think I would find pulling around a cart with tank to be cumbersome if say at the grocery store. But for a car ride or Drs appt it is probably the best way to go. At home I have two concentrators in different parts of the house so I can use a shorter tube of 25 ft. I am at home pretty much 100% anyway.

I guess the smaller tanks you can fill and carry in a bag may work for you . I am further along in this disease I think . Best to you , Crystalena

@jlk12 I always pull my cannula up inside my shirt from the waist. So it isn’t hanging out in front of me . It moves to the side as it needs to. I have a crazy young black cat . She was my constant enemy. She loved to chew on the line. She liked the air coming from the holes as she chomped them . I tried that “sour apple” stuff you put on the line . What a mess . I got more than she did . Ugh. So now my line is in a protective casing . I am not sure where my hubby found it. It is a hard plastic tube with a split so one can get the line in. It is easy to see on the floor. I have a 50’ line . Best not to step on it . It doesn’t hurt it , or the line But rolls a bit under your foot . I have it everywhere she can get to the line and about 3 ft up my 7 ft cannula. I wish the best day to all of you , Crystalena

@crystalena
What we put up with for the love of our pets! I had to laugh reading your post. We no longer have cats but I remember their antics! We do have 2 little dogs but fortunately neither is interested in my line.