Needing a portable concentrator
I want to travel and although my pulmonologist prescribed a portable unit, the medical supply places refuse as my oxygen level while doing the 6 minute walk was at 90 and not 88. They want to give me little bottles of oxygen while traveling and when I get where I’m going, arrange in advance a home concentrator. I don’t understand this strategy as it is crazy. Has anyone else had this problem?
That is a great question,
, and I hope you get some responses from the community. While you wait, here is an article about traveling with oxygen that might interest you: https://copd.net/living/traveling-with-oxygen. Do you have some fun or interesting travel plans? Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) I like to do things and go places where I don’t always know where I’ll end up for the night. I had planned to drive the A1A all the way down the coast and perhaps Key West. My daughter and my grands live in N.C. and I might stop there. But I need the portable concentrator. I do not want to carry combustible bottles and when one doesn’t know where one may be every night, I can’t make arrangements for a home one plus I’ll need oxygen to do somethings like looking for sea glass or using my metal detector. I’m tired of staying at home all the time. What a great way to travel,
! It sounds like you have some awesome adventures planned. Have you considered trying a different medical supply company? - Lori (Team Member)
Why would the medical supply company go against your doctors orders, not their business to know your 02 levels. May I suggest to check in another Medical Supply Co that your insurance will cover and see what they can do? not a bad thing to have a concentrator sent to your destination though, POC are not made to run 24/7 from my understanding anyway. Something to check out I guess. Best of luck to you!
I have already gotten the rest of the companies that my insurance accepts. I plan to start calling on Tuesday. After thoughts, yes a little slow now days on them LOL. here is the thoughts that you might like to check out for use of a POC.
1) FAA approved? Just in case you would like to use on an airplane
2) Up to what Liter of O2 will it pump? Need to at least over your needs maybe a liter more for higher elevations (check with doc of course)
3) Battery life - meaning at the rate you need, how long will the battery last about?
4) Can you get a back up battery with it, need more battery time while in use of course 😀
5) How does the unit / battery charge? Wall, Car, USB port, External charger?
6) Can you use the POC while it is charging?
7) Can you use the POC with out a battery, but plugged in?
😎 How long of a hose can be used with the POC, 10 ft, 25 ft etc.. This could be useful when using the POC at night, keeping it plugged in and a little ways a way from you so you will not hear it was well or the nearest plug in is across the room from the bed.
Ok I think that is it for now, if I think of anything else I will come and add. Hopefully this will get you started on some things to ask though to for it's all about knowledge and what it is going to be used for.
Excited for you to gain some of your independence back, so worth it!
