Lung Fatigue
After a busy day of errands using my POC, pulse, I have what I call “lung fatigue”. I think it comes from having to constantly suck in air through the cannula, because that’s how pulse POC’s work. They only give you a puff of air when you inhale on the cannula. At my setting of 5Lpm I have about 3 1/2 hours on my POC. After constantly having to inhale strongly to get oxygen it wears my lungs out. They feel fatigued, tired, exhausted. Does anyone else experience this?
Are ya all seeing this?
Hi again, rsuem - I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you here. We do try our best to respond to each community member's post in a timely way. Sometimes it takes a bit longer than other times. Please forgive this delay. I've posted a response for your initial concern (above). I do hope you have an opportunity to look it over.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi rsuem, and thanks for your post(s), you've posed an excellent question! While I'm hopeful others in the community will see your inquiry and respond by sharing their own personal anecdotal experiences I, too, have something to contribute.
I hear you! As a long-time respiratory therapist, we (in the field), have often faced this type of dilemma for our patients. Which is better or, more effective, continuous flow oxygen therapy or pulse oxygen therapy?
The answer truly is, it depends on the patient! Some folks do quite well using the pulse flow. Still others, cannot tolerate pulse flow and do much better and feel more comfortable using continuous flow.
In your particular case, it sounds like you would do better using continuous flow oxygen therapy. If you and your lungs, and breathing are becoming fatigued, you may want to discuss this with your prescribing physician. The doctor can easily change the order to read 'continuous flow' only. Then, the equipment provided to you will be able to provide that type of therapy.
There are a few other concerns you will want to consider. Pulse flow allows oxygen cylinders to last longer than continuous flow. Some of the performance characteristics of portable oxygen concentrators will be compromised with continuous flow. They may work better using pulse flow rates but, that may be less comfortable for the patient. It often times is a trade-off.
Perhaps some of the other team members with clinical experience, will also weigh in with their thoughts, experience, and first hand examples!
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
