portable oxygen concentrators

LisaV · Apr 7, 2008

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.

LisaV · Apr 7, 2008

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.

LisaV · Apr 7, 2008

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.

LisaV · Apr 7, 2008

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.

LisaV · Apr 7, 2008

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).
 
 I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.
 
 Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.
 
 If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LisaV

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.</end quote></div>

Right now, I have been sick, so I am using it 24/7. Hard to say if I will continue to do so. I have a concentrator in my apartment and one of those refillable devices for the small tanks which I can take out. I just don't want to have to travel with all this equipment.

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LisaV

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.</end quote></div>

Right now, I have been sick, so I am using it 24/7. Hard to say if I will continue to do so. I have a concentrator in my apartment and one of those refillable devices for the small tanks which I can take out. I just don't want to have to travel with all this equipment.

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LisaV

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.</end quote></div>

Right now, I have been sick, so I am using it 24/7. Hard to say if I will continue to do so. I have a concentrator in my apartment and one of those refillable devices for the small tanks which I can take out. I just don't want to have to travel with all this equipment.

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LisaV

My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).

I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.

Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.

If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.</end quote>

Right now, I have been sick, so I am using it 24/7. Hard to say if I will continue to do so. I have a concentrator in my apartment and one of those refillable devices for the small tanks which I can take out. I just don't want to have to travel with all this equipment.

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LisaV
 
 My late husband loved liquid and used the Helios system at home and on the road. We had Apria for O2. If we arranged ahead of time with them, they would have the large liquid unit waiting for him at the hotel we were staying at and , if we stayed long enough to need it, would refill it(this assumes you are staying in one place). They also had a smaller resevoir that you could use in the car (had to arrange for this ahead of time).
 
 
 
 I must admit that I thought compressed (with lots of tanks) seemed easier. With a national supplier like Apria you can arrange for filled tanks wherever you are.
 
 
 
 Again, read your way through the portable oxygen site. There are pros and cons to everything.
 
 
 
 If you need it 24/7 on your trip, does that mean that you are using it 24/7 now? If so, what are you using now? If you are using 24/7 anywhere you should have a good portable arrangement of some sort and not just a concentrator.</end quote>
 
 Right now, I have been sick, so I am using it 24/7. Hard to say if I will continue to do so. I have a concentrator in my apartment and one of those refillable devices for the small tanks which I can take out. I just don't want to have to travel with all this equipment.

coltsfan715 · Apr 7, 2008

I had regular portable tanks at first when I started with the O2 - once I was listed for transplant they switced me to the liquid O2 and it was heeps better.

The liquid O2 system was the Helios - the one I used anyway. I think that my docs office had to word the script a certain way for it to be proved a necessity over regular O2 because there is a price difference.

As for the portable concentrators that you can take on planes - ugh - I used one on our trip to HI and it didn't work out to well. The reason being is they are demand flow. You have to be able to breathe deep to use them. When I was awake not a problem but when I slept it was a major problem the alarm would sound every few minutes because I breathed very shallow in my sleep pre transplant.

Also to add YES airlines will supply O2 to passengers with prescribed need BUT they most likely will not allow you to take the O2 off the plane - so if you have a 2 hour layover you will need O2 for that 2 hours you are off the plane. Also they charge you per leg of the flight - so if you have 3 connecting flights you will be charged 3 times for O2 use (one way) - or 2 if you only use their O2 on 2 legs and say a portable concentrator on 1 leg of the flight.

Also something in regards to traveling you need to get the O2 issue in order for your flight at least 2 months or so in advance. Talk to your doc and see if they think you will require more than usual due to the elevation of the plane. Yes I know it is pressurized but you may still require more I know I did. I mention that because the airline will ONLY give you O2 at 2 liters even if you need more than that IF the doc writes the order at 2 liters. I had this dilemma on our flight. They plan for a 4 hr flight (example) they give you enough O2 to last the 4 hour flight at 2 liters not 6 liters - so you either bump up to 6 liters because you need it and run out of O2 or you leave it at 2 liters though you need more so you can continue getting some form of O2 for the duration of the flight.

Just wanted to put that out there because it is something I had an issue with while on O2.

Love Lindsey

coltsfan715 · Apr 7, 2008

I had regular portable tanks at first when I started with the O2 - once I was listed for transplant they switced me to the liquid O2 and it was heeps better.

The liquid O2 system was the Helios - the one I used anyway. I think that my docs office had to word the script a certain way for it to be proved a necessity over regular O2 because there is a price difference.

As for the portable concentrators that you can take on planes - ugh - I used one on our trip to HI and it didn't work out to well. The reason being is they are demand flow. You have to be able to breathe deep to use them. When I was awake not a problem but when I slept it was a major problem the alarm would sound every few minutes because I breathed very shallow in my sleep pre transplant.

Also to add YES airlines will supply O2 to passengers with prescribed need BUT they most likely will not allow you to take the O2 off the plane - so if you have a 2 hour layover you will need O2 for that 2 hours you are off the plane. Also they charge you per leg of the flight - so if you have 3 connecting flights you will be charged 3 times for O2 use (one way) - or 2 if you only use their O2 on 2 legs and say a portable concentrator on 1 leg of the flight.

Also something in regards to traveling you need to get the O2 issue in order for your flight at least 2 months or so in advance. Talk to your doc and see if they think you will require more than usual due to the elevation of the plane. Yes I know it is pressurized but you may still require more I know I did. I mention that because the airline will ONLY give you O2 at 2 liters even if you need more than that IF the doc writes the order at 2 liters. I had this dilemma on our flight. They plan for a 4 hr flight (example) they give you enough O2 to last the 4 hour flight at 2 liters not 6 liters - so you either bump up to 6 liters because you need it and run out of O2 or you leave it at 2 liters though you need more so you can continue getting some form of O2 for the duration of the flight.

Just wanted to put that out there because it is something I had an issue with while on O2.

Love Lindsey

coltsfan715 · Apr 7, 2008

I had regular portable tanks at first when I started with the O2 - once I was listed for transplant they switced me to the liquid O2 and it was heeps better.

The liquid O2 system was the Helios - the one I used anyway. I think that my docs office had to word the script a certain way for it to be proved a necessity over regular O2 because there is a price difference.

As for the portable concentrators that you can take on planes - ugh - I used one on our trip to HI and it didn't work out to well. The reason being is they are demand flow. You have to be able to breathe deep to use them. When I was awake not a problem but when I slept it was a major problem the alarm would sound every few minutes because I breathed very shallow in my sleep pre transplant.

Also to add YES airlines will supply O2 to passengers with prescribed need BUT they most likely will not allow you to take the O2 off the plane - so if you have a 2 hour layover you will need O2 for that 2 hours you are off the plane. Also they charge you per leg of the flight - so if you have 3 connecting flights you will be charged 3 times for O2 use (one way) - or 2 if you only use their O2 on 2 legs and say a portable concentrator on 1 leg of the flight.

Also something in regards to traveling you need to get the O2 issue in order for your flight at least 2 months or so in advance. Talk to your doc and see if they think you will require more than usual due to the elevation of the plane. Yes I know it is pressurized but you may still require more I know I did. I mention that because the airline will ONLY give you O2 at 2 liters even if you need more than that IF the doc writes the order at 2 liters. I had this dilemma on our flight. They plan for a 4 hr flight (example) they give you enough O2 to last the 4 hour flight at 2 liters not 6 liters - so you either bump up to 6 liters because you need it and run out of O2 or you leave it at 2 liters though you need more so you can continue getting some form of O2 for the duration of the flight.

Just wanted to put that out there because it is something I had an issue with while on O2.

Love Lindsey

coltsfan715 · Apr 7, 2008

I had regular portable tanks at first when I started with the O2 - once I was listed for transplant they switced me to the liquid O2 and it was heeps better.

The liquid O2 system was the Helios - the one I used anyway. I think that my docs office had to word the script a certain way for it to be proved a necessity over regular O2 because there is a price difference.

As for the portable concentrators that you can take on planes - ugh - I used one on our trip to HI and it didn't work out to well. The reason being is they are demand flow. You have to be able to breathe deep to use them. When I was awake not a problem but when I slept it was a major problem the alarm would sound every few minutes because I breathed very shallow in my sleep pre transplant.

Also to add YES airlines will supply O2 to passengers with prescribed need BUT they most likely will not allow you to take the O2 off the plane - so if you have a 2 hour layover you will need O2 for that 2 hours you are off the plane. Also they charge you per leg of the flight - so if you have 3 connecting flights you will be charged 3 times for O2 use (one way) - or 2 if you only use their O2 on 2 legs and say a portable concentrator on 1 leg of the flight.

Also something in regards to traveling you need to get the O2 issue in order for your flight at least 2 months or so in advance. Talk to your doc and see if they think you will require more than usual due to the elevation of the plane. Yes I know it is pressurized but you may still require more I know I did. I mention that because the airline will ONLY give you O2 at 2 liters even if you need more than that IF the doc writes the order at 2 liters. I had this dilemma on our flight. They plan for a 4 hr flight (example) they give you enough O2 to last the 4 hour flight at 2 liters not 6 liters - so you either bump up to 6 liters because you need it and run out of O2 or you leave it at 2 liters though you need more so you can continue getting some form of O2 for the duration of the flight.

Just wanted to put that out there because it is something I had an issue with while on O2.

Love Lindsey

coltsfan715 · Apr 7, 2008

I had regular portable tanks at first when I started with the O2 - once I was listed for transplant they switced me to the liquid O2 and it was heeps better.
 
 The liquid O2 system was the Helios - the one I used anyway. I think that my docs office had to word the script a certain way for it to be proved a necessity over regular O2 because there is a price difference.
 
 As for the portable concentrators that you can take on planes - ugh - I used one on our trip to HI and it didn't work out to well. The reason being is they are demand flow. You have to be able to breathe deep to use them. When I was awake not a problem but when I slept it was a major problem the alarm would sound every few minutes because I breathed very shallow in my sleep pre transplant.
 
 Also to add YES airlines will supply O2 to passengers with prescribed need BUT they most likely will not allow you to take the O2 off the plane - so if you have a 2 hour layover you will need O2 for that 2 hours you are off the plane. Also they charge you per leg of the flight - so if you have 3 connecting flights you will be charged 3 times for O2 use (one way) - or 2 if you only use their O2 on 2 legs and say a portable concentrator on 1 leg of the flight.
 
 Also something in regards to traveling you need to get the O2 issue in order for your flight at least 2 months or so in advance. Talk to your doc and see if they think you will require more than usual due to the elevation of the plane. Yes I know it is pressurized but you may still require more I know I did. I mention that because the airline will ONLY give you O2 at 2 liters even if you need more than that IF the doc writes the order at 2 liters. I had this dilemma on our flight. They plan for a 4 hr flight (example) they give you enough O2 to last the 4 hour flight at 2 liters not 6 liters - so you either bump up to 6 liters because you need it and run out of O2 or you leave it at 2 liters though you need more so you can continue getting some form of O2 for the duration of the flight.
 
 Just wanted to put that out there because it is something I had an issue with while on O2.
 
 Love Lindsey

jfarel · Apr 7, 2008