Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

A pulse ox is a nice little device to have. Keeping it in your pilot bag is sure to tell if your having a problem breathing. By then it might be too late.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

While not in my specialty there are many non lung conditions with shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, restrictive lung diseases etc
Never use a treatment without a firm diagnosis plus monitoring of how effective it is.
Good luck.
Old, retired Doc.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks, Tote1940.

~Lee

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

This is a tip re: the benefit of obtaining a long connector hose with the unit. My wife needed the oxygen concentrator near the end. She had a terminal diagnosis, so Medicare paid for it. It came with a 75’ oxygen tube that connected the device to the nose. The length of the tube turned out to be a blessing. The unit produced a constant droning noise and the cooling fan emitted heat into the room. I was able to place the unit outside of the bedroom and run the tube under the closed bedroom door. This eliminated most of the noise and all of the heat from the unit. We started using it in the summer and didn’t need the extra warmth.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I really don't think anyone was twisting your arm to go through you insurance company on your first CPAP. You could have elected to pay the full price out of your bank account. It has been my experience that 100% of the patients we dealt with would always choose to have their bill paid for by their insurance company/Medicare etc. If that was the case, then the supplier has to play by the whatever the rules the insurance company/Medicare has for covering that medical device. Every insurance company has their own set of rules that a supplier has to abide by in order to get paid for their services. Anybody want to talk about denied claims, slow pay insurers or insurers that just drag their feet in paying claims. I am sorry you had a bad experience with your supplier but you have no clue how a supplier's business works.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Old retired Respiratory Therapist.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks, joehel2, I'll keep that in mind.

~Lee

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Yep, you are absolutely correct that Oxygen exits, I guess you could attach an oxygen nasal cannula to a tree and hope for the best. Concentrators draw in the room air and extract out all the Nitrogen, and trace gases leaving only pure oxygen, it is then compressed down and then metered out to the patient by way of a flow meter. Any malfunction in the whole process and the machine blows room air. Yeah, they have alarms they monitor the O2 percentage but alarms fail, machines fail, etc. I only made the comment about the legal requirements of selling O2 because people need to know. Personally people can do what ever they want and will in most cases but they should proceed with caution when selling medical equipment to a private individual. Don't forget, we live in a litigious society. If something happens to poor ol Mom/Dad/Grandma,the kids are going start looking for someone to sue. When their lawyer finds out you broke the law when selling them that concentrator they are going to come after you. There is a reason why medical professionals, suppliers etc have Medical liabilty insurance. For me, it wouldn't be worth the risk of losing my life savings in a lawsuit when someone gets hurt using medical equipment you sold them. Remember, Oxygen concentrators are not like a used Washing machine you buy at a garage sale. There are legitimate reasons my they are regulated under the law. Now, in case you are wondering, Douglas-fir, spruce, true fir, beech, and maple trees are toward the top of the list for oxygen release. Now, go get yourself a nasal cannula, a lawn chair and sit in the shade with a cold one. :-)

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Thank you, Merlin. I’m contacting my doctor today.
Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Thanks. I have one, plus my Apple Watch has that function. So far both have looked good.
Ron

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

The surprise is what happens when you follow the $$$

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I have had a home oxygen concentrator for over 8 years. It runs in conjunction with my cpap machine. Only used while sleeping. Also have a portable one that I only used once above 7,000 feet. Otherwise just sits in the closet. On my second home concentrater. Both were mostly covered by Medicare. Dr. diagnosed me originally has having mild copd with history of asthma. Home unit is about the size of s large suitcase & weighs about 35 pounds which is kind of a hassle to travel with. Portable unit only lasts abou 2-3 hours on a charge. Check with a reliable medical supply company. The one I use will, if possible, supply me a loaner delivered to my travel destination if possible. I think these are some of the issues I would recommend you ask about. Btw, in some states you mighty be eligible for a disabled placard or license plate depending on diagnosis.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

When you travel with a medical device within the USA - airlines cannot count your medical device as carry on luggage when you bring it into the cabin - even if you stow it overhead. Part of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

And you will probably find that there are venues, air travel for instance, that will not allow admittance without seeing the Rx.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

You are NUTS !! I've NEVER been questioned by airlines regarding my medical devices.