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Portable ventilator

eat2017

Hello

Does anyone use a The Life2000® Ventilation System? It’s by Hillrom and is supposed too support your breathing while active or resting. After discussing with my pulmonologist, this may be the thing I will be using to help me out with daily living. I was wondering if you are finding using this system has been beneficial; or has it improved your quality of life and ability to do daily activities and exercise?

Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Member

- I hope someone that uses it will comment as well, but as a Respiratory Therapist I've had some limited experience with it. The few people I know that are using it, love it! Obviously the size is a huge satisfaction factor - you just can't beat a ventilator that's so small and portable.
The studies indicate it's been very successful in reducing work of breathing and shortness of breath and in helping to control/reduce carbon dioxide levels in a person with COPD.
I'd love to hear from you if you end up using it.
Best,
Lyn (site moderator COPD.net)
Rosemary strong Member

I'm using the Hillrom also. It's a game changer. I need to use it more than I have been. It's great inside but takes alot of oxygen tanks outside. I seem to sleep better. Tomorrow I'm going to try and get alot of my house work done. So it will be me and my Hillrom. They are working on a tankless option that would be great. Looking forward to that day. Hope to get alot accomplished tomorrow. Wish me luck. I sometimes over do my self. I'm back on the Predator Zone and antibiotics so maybe that will help to all my friends stay strong
1. eat2017 Member
  
  that’s great that this is helping you! My Dr. Doesn’t know if it will help much because I don’t just have emphysema. My lungs have a multitude of problems. But I think it’s worth trying if I could get any benefits to raise my quality of life! Wouldn’t it be great if they can make a tankless one! Good luck cleaning, but try not to overdo it so you don’t have to have repeat prednisone and antibiotics! Glad this is working well for you!
Rosemary strong Member

Prednisone
cynthiajk Member

Good morning all! I haven't been active on the site lately due to a MAJOR downturn! My pulmonologist referred me to Dr. Young at University Hospitals to be evaluated for Zephyr valves. To say that I was excited is the understatement of the year! Bottom line, I made 8 out of 10 qualifications and thus -- no valves. I think I'm usually able to bounce back from life's curve balls but I had really believed that I could return to being me (as I used to be). I have resumed pulmonary rehab and the RT is contacting my doctor to ask him to prescribe the Life2000 for me. Since it is non-invasive I hope it will be helpful. I admit to falling off the exercise program at home after Covid. Foolish, since I have both an exercise bike and a treadmill, but as some of you know, being "down" isn't a great motivator. Interestingly enough, one of the folks in my rehab group has the valves. They were placed in August and he has gone from severe COPD to moderate and no longer uses oxygen! Another member had four valves placed with no benefit and she uses the Life2000 system. I haven't talked with her at any length but will certainly do so! She had the valves placed, popped a pneumothorax and ended up spending six days in ICU. Not a fun time. I will post when I have more information on the Life2000. Medicare has been very, very good to me so far and I hope they cover this, too!

Sorry to be so long winded! I hope all of you have a splendid day!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
  
  Hi cynthiajk - so good to see you engaging here again with the community. Now that you have shared your story with us, it's understandable why you have been 'away' from the website.
  You have had quite a journey and I hear how you've been managing this - it's not always easy, Cynthia - that is for certain! We do appreciate your candor and are here should you need anything at all - even if it's just to share! (And please, don't be concerned about the length of your 'story' - there is a lot there and sometimes, it can feel so much better to be able to share your experiences with us here!
  We will look forward to hearing from you again as you keep us apprised of your progress. We are all pulling for you!
  Warm regards,
  Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
2. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
  
  Hi, Cynthia! I love that you mention here some of the other people you have met in rehab -- it's helpful for people who have never been there. It's easy to imagine that it's just you alone on a treadmill with a therapist. Connections are so important, especially when you are going through a unique situation like COPD. Thanks for that! And feel free to stop by and see us whenever you'd like. 😀 -Melissa, copd.net team