Oxygen concentrator (Page 2): Not to be a cloud over you, but oxygen is not manufactured, it exists. As to the rest of the comments, it’s still a free country and private sales behind...

clickety

Fstop12 wrote:

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but before... (show quote)

Not to be a cloud over you, but oxygen is not manufactured, it exists. As to the rest of the comments, it’s still a free country and private sales behind closed doors are just that and nobody’s business. You mentioned being retired, good for you, but if your company was anything like the greedy self serving Home Health DME providers I’ve been forced to deal with, bad on you. We seem to have reached a point where private entries and insurance companies are our current default medical ‘experts’.

To the posters discussing the sale purchase and use of the device, please start private messaging and do what’s best for you. There’s no benefit to padding the pockets of the greedy monopolistic ‘professionals’.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

llamb wrote:

Anyone use an Oxygen Concentrator?

I am having a difficult time breathing and I think my lungs need a little boost. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic did not find anything wrong last year when it started. I am going to see my physician next week. I shall ask him about an OC unit. I want to know what to look for in an OC unit and what to avoid.

Thanks and enjoy the Fourth.

~Lee

The first thing you need to do is see a pulmonologist and find out if supplemental O2 is in your future. IIf so, in order for insurance to cover any kind of unit, portable or home, you need to pass (actually fail) a walking test. You walk for 6 minutes monitoring your O2 levels. If after 6 minutes, your O2 is still 90 or above, you fail the test and don't qualify for an O2 concentrator. If you pass that test, you're way beyond the "need a boost phase" I was like you and couldn't pass that test so I bought an Inogen G5 which is their largest portable unit. It's great and with a large battery, you can go for about 13 hours at a 2 level without recharging. The downside is that these units cost anywhere from $2500 up. Right now I've got a large and small battery, an in-home charger and a car charger and a carrying case. I can pretty much go wherever I want and if I plan it right, driving from one place to another.

If your not a candidate for supplementary O2, and just want that boost, Amazon sells breathable 90% O2 in a can called "BOOST". Costa about $10 a can.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

randave2001 wrote:

Sorry Frank, did not mean to exclude anyone. I was... (show quote)

I posted a response to this request and I am also using a G5 with large and small batteries and it's great and I can do pretty much anything if I plan for it. Only negative I have with the Inogen is if you bump the unit while wearing it, you can dislodge the battery and may not realize it so you have no oxygen. I've learned to recognize the situation and it's really just something to watch out for and not really a big deal. I've mentioned it to Inogen and it's on their list of things to do.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Fstop12 wrote:

This means you can not legally sell it to another individual ... Oxygen concentrators, whether new or used can only be sold by retailers or companies with proper licenses or permits to patients with a prescription.

OMG !! Black Market Oxygen Concentrators, CPAP devices, Neck Braces. Maybe a Rent to Own deal ?

clickety

Merlin1300 wrote:

OMG !! Black Market Oxygen Concentrators, CPAP devices, Neck Braces. Maybe a Rent to Own deal ?

You nailed it, it’s a racket. With my first CPAP I played the game, It “had” to go through insurance and the rent to fiasco. My copay (20%) was $40.00 per month for two years rental on a machine that was selling on Amazon for under $1,000 dollars, while Medicare was paying $160.00 per month over the same two year period. What can it be called besides GREED?

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

I posted a response to this request and I am also using a G5 with large and small batteries and it's great and I can do pretty much anything if I plan for it. Only negative I have with the Inogen is if you bump the unit while wearing it, you can dislodge the battery and may not realize it so you have no oxygen. I've learned to recognize the situation and it's really just something to watch out for and not really a big deal. I've mentioned it to Inogen and it's on their list of things to do.

I spoke incorrectly earlier. Mine is the G5 and I use the large 16 cell battery.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

I’m very interested in this thread since I’ve developed a breathing problem at night. It first showed up at altitude (8700’) but the simple nasal adhesive strips (Breathe Rights) were sufficient. Then, this summer, they are no longer enough and I wake up gasping for air. Now I’m getting the same problem at 500’ altitude.

So, I’m seeking a solution. Supposedly there is a request in from my doctor regarding a CPAP home test kit. It’s my gut feeling that a CPAP is not the solution for me and I’ll be needing something like an oxygen concentrator. However, right now I’d be pleased as punch if the doc could get something started that would potentially help. Heck, I even went to an Ear, Nose and Throat doc to see if I had any polyps that were restricting my breathing, but no.

Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

The first thing you need to do is see a pulmonologist and find out if supplemental O2 is in your future. IIf so, in order for insurance to cover any kind of unit, portable or home, you need to pass (actually fail) a walking test. You walk for 6 minutes monitoring…

If your not a candidate for supplementary O2, and just want that boost, Amazon sells breathable 90% O2 in a can called "BOOST". Costa about $10 a can.

I just ordered a 3-pack of 10 liter size Boost from Amazon. $45, so it’s skyrocketed. Like everything else.

Ron

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

llamb wrote:

Anyone use an Oxygen Concentrator?

I am having a difficult time breathing and I think my lungs need a little boost. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic did not find anything wrong last year when it started. I am going to see my physician next week. I shall ask him about an OC unit. I want to know what to look for in an OC unit and what to avoid.

Thanks and enjoy the Fourth.

~Lee

An oxygen concentrator is usually a prescribed device. Speak with your physician about your needs for this apparatus. He may or may not decide on your favor. There are some that require an oxygen tank. This is not a concentrator. You may need the device for a few hours or all day just outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. You may need one that can work on a single charge or must be charge for a major portion of the day. The next question may seem silly but it has a great bearing on this device. Do you currently smoke or did at one time? Did you have major surgery to the heart lungs or neck? These question will be asked by your doctor. Finally, you will need someone to show you how to clean the device. Good luck with your decision.

Steve

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

cucharared wrote:

I’m very interested in this thread since I’ve deve... (show quote)

Maybe a starting point would be to purchase your own fingertip oximeter, the kind that doctors use. They cost about $20 on Amazon. Normal O2 levels are anywhere from 95 to98. Anything below 95 during normal activities might indicate a problem. I'm not diagnosing anything but have one myself and always carry it.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

cucharared wrote:

I’m very interested in this thread since I’ve developed a breathing problem at night. It first showed up at altitude (8700’) but the simple nasal adhesive strips (Breathe Rights) were sufficient. Then, this summer, they are no longer enough and I wake up gasping for air. Now I’m getting the same problem at 500’ altitude. So, I’m seeking a solution.

Ron - you need to see a pulmonologist and have a full pulmonary function test done, including DLCO. If that test is negative, THEN consider an overnight home sleep test - which many insurance companies require before doing an in-lab overnight sleep test for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

TheShoe,

Thanks for the advice.

~Lee

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

Maybe a starting point would be to purchase your own fingertip oximeter, the kind that doctors use. They cost about $20 on Amazon. Normal O2 levels are anywhere from 95 to98. Anything below 95 during normal activities might indicate a problem. I'm not diagnosing anything but have one myself and always carry it.

One is on its way. Supposed to arrive today. Thanks for the details.

~Lee

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks everyone for the input. It'll now be in the hands of my physician.

~Lee

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Merlin1300 wrote:

OMG !! Black Market Oxygen Concentrators, CPAP devices, Neck Braces. Maybe a Rent to Own deal ?

I never said it doesn't happen. I've even seen medical devices for sale at garage sales. I was merely stating the fact that selling Medical grade Oxygen or devices that produce Medical grade Oxygen comes with certain laws and regulations.