Home oxygen

Hi, PML,
There are also oxygen concentrators that are not easily portable, but they plug in and do have wheels. They cost about $900 and there is no need to replace (very) expensive batteries.. In fact, I received an email a few days ago which had one on sale for $600.
For short trips I use my small portable concentrator, but for a month long stay out of state, I take the large one. The large one could be taken even for an overnight. It is rather heavy and awkward but the sites selling them will show the weight. If you don't travel, the large, less expensive one should be just fine.
Every concentrator I have owned sounds an alarm if the hose gets kinked or crushed. If it is too noisy for you, it can be put in another room using a long hose. I can't imagine any reason not to use one if it is recommended.
My best to your husband and you,
Sonnig

@pml
An important factor when choosing a POC (portable oxygen concentrator) is the number of liters it can provide.
The Inogen One G5 puts out up to 6 liters.
I believe the highest output is up to 9 L on the pulse setting and 3 L on the continuous flow setting. I don’t remember the manufacturer of that one.
I purchased a unit that exceeded my cousins needs at the time. However, eventually he needed more and so I bought him the G4. You might want to keep in mind if the condition worsens, and the oxygen amount increases over time buying a unit that exceeds his current need may actually be cheaper in the long run.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you so much for the useful information. Are your oxygen machines the kind that make their own oxygen?
PML

Yes, they make their own oxygen.

Here is the "stationary" one I own. Note, it has wheels:
https://www.1stclassmed.com/respironics-everfloq-1
Here is the portable:
https://www.1stclassmed.com/inogen-one-g4-portable-oxygen-concentrator
I chose the Inogen One G4 because it was lighter weight than most. But as Jake points out, the number of liters it puts out is important, I need three liters, so the G4 will take me to the next level as my breathing deteriorates.

It has been several years since I purchased the portable so I believe the following is accurate but may remember incorrectly: Another consideration is if it is "pulse" or steady flow. Pulse produces oxygen when a person inhales. Steady is a constant flow of oxygen. The "steady" uses up the battery faster.

There are many brands. I was most attracted to Inogen and Philips. Inogen is well known, in part, because of advertising. And there are many suppliers. I looked locally but they were far more expensive than on-line. (Because of so many options among portable concentrators and suppliers, I made a spread sheet. But that is me. I think, after all, that I purchased the one that most interested me at the beginning. I could have saved myself a LOT of work.)

Sonnig

@pml
My cousins stationary concentrator had an attachment that filled tanks as a backup since his electricity frequently went out in the winter. Portable units can be plugged into an electrical outlet while being used to keep the battery charges or in a lighter in the car. Nowadays, they might even be able to be charged by a USB configurations sort of thing, that’s just a guess.
Although I forgot the reasons now, but I would purchase whatever type of unit you want from the manufacturer and not from a second party distributor. I was going to do that first but then I found out they were problems associated with doing that at least with the dealer that I was going to originally go with I can’t say that it’s like that throughout the industry.
Best of luck,
Jake

Where is the spreadsheet? Your work will keep me from having to go through it. Thanks

Yes I saw your pictures and took snapshots if I need to use. What oxy % were you at?

Oxygen percent term is rarely used. Measurements are liters per minute (lpm). Your doctor will tell you how many liters are needed per minute. Going below the doctor's recommendation is not okay (and sort of silly). More liters per minute is not recommended.
Go with the doctor's lpm recommendation.

I'm thinking about whether providing you with the spreadsheet for the portables would be helpful. The information is two years old.
It has 41 (!) listings because I included 1st manufacturer, then model, then supplier prices. Other columns included supplier sale prices at the time, how many maximum LPM, additional battery prices for doubles adding in sale prices, weight, warranties, operating time with battery.
Within the 41 listings were, I think, about 16 manufacturer/models broken down with the above. There were an additional 10 models I chose not to research. I have no idea why. I probably had a good reason.
I'm certain there are new models and some which have been discontinued. Manufacturers are intent on lowering the weight of the portables and I think that raises the price. They are also trying to raise the top LPM. Anyway, prices can no longer be accurate.
If you don't need a portable, don't get a portable. They are about 3 times the price of a stationary and as I mentioned previously, stationary models can travel. Mine weighs about 30 pounds and rolls and the only difficulty anyone has with moving it is lifting it into a car or taking it up/down stairs.

I’ve been on oxygen for 17 years. I used a concentrator for quite awhile. It was noisy and made the room hot. Also raised the electric bill. I have been using liquid oxygen for years. I like the oxygen and ease of use so much better. I get 2 big tanks every 2 weeks. I use this for in home only. When I go out I use a portable concentrator with wheels. With extra batteries, car and wall plug in I can go out all day and night.