An Easier Way to Deliver Oxygen at Home

[gerald]

This looks like an interesting idea and worth a bit of thought.  It certainly takes care of the need for long long lines of tubing.

I would have to give some thought as to its safety.

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For those of you using supplemental oxygen, you know it is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because without it we would die, but a curse because it is so difficult to access, use, and live with daily. Check out my previous column about my frustrations using supplemental oxygen.

I’m forever tripping on the cords, trying to unkink them, and urging my husband to stop standing on them. You know what I mean.
A new solution

I recently tried a new way to deliver supplemental oxygen at home and I want to tell you about it. A few months ago, I heard about a system by Captive Technologies called StationMaster. I recently got it for Christmas, and it has made my life easier, so I wanted to tell you about it. Please note, I receive no financial benefit from recommending this system to you.

It consists of a central box where you send your oxygen from a concentrator, or in my case, a tank of liquid oxygen. There are four tubes to send oxygen from the central box out into other rooms. Each room has a smaller box into which you plug your cannula. Check out this quick video I made to show you how it works.



This has eliminated cords throughout the house, reduced tripping, and is less of a hassle for my husband, too. It’s easy to install, but you’ll need someone to help you. The only tool you need is scissors!

Here’s a link to the brochure if you’d like to learn more, as well as a link to the company’s video about this product.

It is a little pricey but has made a quality of life difference, which is very important to me. I can’t control so many things, so I try to make small changes that increase my quality of life whenever possible. I purchased it for $100 less here!
How about you?

What do you think about this new way of delivering oxygen? Do you think it could be a help to you? Have you found other ways that make using oxygen at home a little easier?

I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below, and share with those who could benefit via email or on social media. We’re in this together!

"https://pulmonaryfibrosisnews.com/2018/01//pf-home-oxygen-system-alternative-to-tubes-everywhere"

captivetechnologies.com/Resources/Station%20Master%20Bro.pdf

[jarca]

my problem would be trying to walk to the next room while not getting 02.....I can drop to under 90% in 5 steps.

also, i only need 2LPM sitting, but 4-6LPM when moving. I wish they'd come out with something that would hook to my cannula that I could turn up & down my 02 when i get up from computer or bed just to go to kitchen or bathroom.
i'm constantly dropping too low of 02 because to try to turn up my 02 by that little knob & viewer is a pain so i end up not doing it & dropping 02 just going for a glass of water.

(and of course with COPD we can't just turn up to highest level needed because of co2 retention :/)
anyone have any suggestions how to turn up & down from home concentrator easily???

[jim]

Thank you Gerald I have saved this so it's available for when I need to do this.

[jarca]

found it!
a valve to hook to canula to turn LPM up & down so don't have to keep adjusting home concentrator.


may not be very accurate, from what i can gather it is kind of a "petcock"; from what i can tell, i set my machine to highest LPM i'd want  & then use the valve to turn down;

It seems 'wrong' though as my canula & line ends are 'female' so the valve should have male ends....hmmmm (not cheap, $10.00 USD each)
Attachment Deleted

they also have it hooked to a short canula, but as often as i change my canula's it seems the plain valve would work better

Attachment Deleted


softhose.com/valvedet.htm

it almost seems like i could go to the local auto store & just buy a petcock valve
has anyone used something like this??
also, are there others that use different LPM settings & has anyone found an 'easier' way to adjust when hooked to home concentrator? (i swear that wearing my tanks are easier as i have a regulator right there that easily turns up & down.

[skate4life]

I've used the softhose 'stopcock' for several years. I see now that they say it won't work with a swivel connector. Maybe mine is an older model.....I put my concentrator end that has a swivel connector in one end (stopcock has about an inch and a half extension tubing) - female opening - to receive the swivel. The other end has a male projection to insert into my cannula. In my case it is my Oxymizer. I then sat with my concentrator with a black magic marker and marked one other point to turn the stopcock to that matches my flowmeter. The only down side was the item is rigid and ends are glued. I broke off the male end trying to disconnect it from my Oxymizer. I also found it disconnected from my Oxymizer frequently but I think that is a problem with the Oxymizer tubing which is different than my concentrator tubing- I haven't used a regular cannula in years.

I did see a photo of a copd person who actually secured a flowmeter that she connected to her tubing and then made a loop to put around her neck so the flowmeter would stay vertical...It looked cumbersome and only works if you are sitting upright.

I never seem to sit still for very long especially during the day. I currently just leave my flow at 4 lpm 24/7 except when I am doing unusual exertion (vacuuming, treadmill, weights) and then just increase my concentrator for those times to 5-1/2 or 6 depending.

You might email or phone them with questions.

[gerald]

Jarca, the same company sells this as well.


www.captivetechnologies.com/co-pilotcust.html

In an earlier discussion some people were have problems with condensation in the air lines during cold weather when they used the water with the oxygen, this solves that problem as well.

I have never heard of these people before so I am not sure what they quality or service is like

[John]

I like it Gerald ./ I already have three hoses run in the house but have to change them at the tank . Jarca I use my pots to go up and down stairs then swtich to the oxegen main tank or the hose that goes to the kitchen . I'm going look into these terminal ports.

[peg]

Jarca and John, you both have just given me hope in the matter of turning my oxygen up and down, away from concentrator, as i do retain carbon dioxide.  This method, would stop the putting on and taking off my nasal hose, to keep my level at proper levels, when sitting or walking.  I will talk to my respiratory specialist, thank you , thank you. This will definately change my quality of life alot better.

[peg]

Jan 17, 2018 21:10:13 GMT -5 jarca said:

found it!
a valve to hook to canula to turn LPM up & down so don't have to keep adjusting home concentrator.


may not be very accurate, from what i can gather it is kind of a "petthingy"; from what i can tell, i set my machine to highest LPM i'd want  & then use the valve to turn down;

It seems 'wrong' though as my canula & line ends are 'female' so the valve should have male ends....hmmmm (not cheap, $10.00 USD each)


they also have it hooked to a short canula, but as often as i change my canula's it seems the plain valve would work better




softhose.com/valvedet.htm

it almost seems like i could go to the local auto store & just buy a petthingy valve
has anyone used something like this??
also, are there others that use different LPM settings & has anyone found an 'easier' way to adjust when hooked to home concentrator? (i swear that wearing my tanks are easier as i have a regulator right there that easily turns up & down.

[peg]

everyone.  Jarca, i would like to know if you bought and are using the flow regulater, that plastic thing, to adjust the flow on your home concentrator, and if so, are they working ok?  Do you have a specific price you paid, and are they in Canada?  Thanks and i look forward to hearing back. 

[jarca]

peg---i have not bought one or tried yet---i've just set my 02 to 3LPM & try to be slow when i walk around the house; i was waiting for some input before i tried it as 10 bucks seems a lot if it doesn't work.

skate--thank you for your input----i see i'm not the only one that has to go up & down with 02 now

would love any other suggestions---skate, can you post pics of what you are explaining???

oh, i forgot to put the place i found to buy it--- softhose.com/
i asked my 02 supplier if they would give me one but they don't carry them so i have to buy it myself---i don't know if there is a shipping charge or minimum order or how exactly it works as i don't have 'pay pal"-----
anyone know about 'softhose' ordering???
 

[jarca]

gerald---that is interesting for the water bottle; i just quit using my water bottle when i woke up with water pouring in my nose last month!---but is the cost $139.00 american money!!!!! wow!

still listening for input before i try (i'm very 'cheap') 

[skate4life]

Jarca, I just send a check to softhose. You can always email them or phone them for further information. I just found my original order in 2014 and there was a 3.50 charge to send one. In 2015 I ordered 4 and the s/h was 6.50. Their picture and directions were the same as what they have on their site today.

As for the looped flow control, I just looked on Amazon and there are many flow meters (expensive) and some other type things that I have heard other people use that are part of fish aquarium set ups.

Like I said, I just keep the flow the same and only increase it when doing planned exertional housecleaning (like vacuuming/changing bed linen.) Even at the set flow of 4 lpm, (I can do fine sitting if I dropped it to 3 like when I am in the car on my cylinder) I can get up and down to the 2nd floor without difficulty. I have 2-25' attached to the 10 lpm concentrator upstairs. I also years ago did purchase my own 5 liter stationary concentrator for the 1st floor. I turn that on when vacuuming. When I need to get into the basement I use one of my cylinders set in mobile cart in the kitchen next to the basement door, use 2-25' tubing and up the flow to 5. Stationary concentrators are not 100% pure and I always get a little anxious going downstairs so using the cylinder helps.

Many people have a good sat when just sitting and can do fine with a much lower flow, but getting up and about they drop like a rock, especially if their heart rate raises a lot. Only you know how long you do sit before needing to get up and about and need a higher flow. Some times it is a trial and error to find what works for you.

Perhaps you need to revisit with your doctor as to why you drop so much. It can be cardiac, deconditioning, dehydration, diet deficiencies, or other issues.

[gerald]

Jarca, I have not bought that water bottle regulator set up.  I don't use the water bottle.  I had not checked on the price, you are right that seems a bit exorbitant!

[jarca]

gerald, my company supplies a water bottle & the lines for free, so i am 'assuming' that the price was for that meter valve!

skate---thank you for the info on ordering from  softhose. 

Aslo, my 02 steadily gets worse.I have 2 lung diseases COPD & Pulmonary Fibrosis & my lungs seem to deteriorate at a steady rate.
Last time I had all the 'tests' done (2015) I was at severe/severe for both & it started becoming hard for me to travel the 165-185 miles each way to see a pulm.
This year I did get an HRCT done & then blood work---the blood work came up with my thyroid so got side tracked with that.
still need to have an "in chamber" PFT done, but have the closest one is 165+ miles away. my daughter was going to take me to get that done, but she had surgery on her back, so methinks it can wait until spring now...
(because of the PF i don't "diffuse" 02 right & that is why i need an "in chamber PFT" so they can read me DLCO as that is what seems to be dropping on me each time i have tests run....from my understanding it takes me having to go into the booth to get this reading & we don't have the chamber where i live)

I don't understand everything on these tests, but this is what is low on me & why i need to wear supplemental 02 when so many COPD patients don't need it;

pftforum.com/patient/pulmonary-function-tests/diffusing-capacity-dlco/

[jim]

I used this spiral rap to prevent kinks in the tube on my concentrator.

[skate4life]

Jarca and others that are looking for ways to remotely change flow away from concentrator. I finally found the reference.

If you look on amazon for 'oxygen flow control' or ebay for 'remote oxygen flow control' (good info) you will see a wide selection of controls, in glass or acrylic, for different flows like 0-3 up to 30 lpm. It looks just like the flow control you have on your stationary concentrator (this is not for pulse!!!). It has 2 male connections, one at top to connect to your oxygen cannula, one at the bottom to connect the tubing from your concentrator. The original reference person then just took a lanyard and looped it around the control, underneath where the flow control is, and then put the lanyard around their neck. Sorry, I could not print or save to my computer the original reference persons with the 2 photos but if you go to either search you should easily see what I am describing. It is rather a simple set up. But it also could be a nuisance too to have to dismantle it each time you want to lay down for a nap or night to sleep

There was a discussion about the flow meter having a safety/fire break that should point in the direction of the flow of oxygen. Also, if there is a back up and if it injuries your concentrator it will void your warranty of the concentrator.

Finally, as I have cautioned before, each person is different, and you should talk with your doctor to find why you are having such wide swings in sats from sitting to standing.

[jarca]

thank you peg!
i found these that are for fish tanks but look just like the plastic valve thru soft hose
and these are cheaper---they even have 10 for $10!

www.amazon.com/Saim-Aquarium-Controller-Splitter-Distributor/dp/B01MXE85OB/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

good info & thank you!


does anyone know how big the female end of our canula's are? 

[lavishgail]

I also have a concentrator here. And battles that I carry when I go out, they are extremely heavy and I'm carrying the medium sized battles I don't like them at all because between my pocketbook and everything else I have to carry I feel like I've done the 10-mile race before I get out the door. So they gave me a regulator on the top of for my bottles, so instead of the battle working only 3 hours they now work 5 hours one bottle.

And I do know what you mean by turning it up and down, I can't turn mine up and down unless I literally go to it then down and get a magnifying glass to see where the hell that little line is and turn it up myself.

I go through Lincare because they said no matter where you go in America they will be there to meet you even if you get off a plane and you need oxygen, so I chose to go with them and I am very unhappy. I mean the company here has two drivers only for everybody all around Pittsfield West Stockbridge Olive Berkshire only two men so when I give an order over the phone of what I need I don't see them for 2 weeks sometimes.

When I was in the hospital the hospital called and told them what I needed at home for when I got home and they never showed up, then my son called and told them what I need and they still never showed up. Next my husband got on the phone, and their excuse was oh we didn't know you gave us a different name, yes I have two last names they are hyphenated, but one name is the same as the other same social security number same everything nothing different never ever.

So I decided to go to another place here in town in Pittsfield where John lives, but now they need my stats and everything they want to know all of my breathing what I need oxygen levels this and that and right now I'm doing great I don't even need my oxygen at this point, so my doctor was like okay Gail let's run up and down the stairs and try to get it down a little and I was better than her and that's no kidding.

Because when I'm good I'm good and when I'm bad I'm very bad I'm hospitalized. My disease is very bad I never know what will happen to me in the next 5 minutes and that's all I can do is look to my next 5 minutes that's it. So I thought they weren't coming because I didn't call enough, or maybe they didn't like something about my home I don't know, but whatever it was they finally came after my husband got a hold of them. And I do get all my lines in that cup with the water and all of that for free 2.

In the same thing happened to me, when I had the cop on with water if filled up in the hoses and went up my nose and down my throat and it woke me right out of bed scared the living crap out of me I thought I was drowning, so that is no good I do not use that ever again I was petrified when that happened I thought oh my gosh I'm going to be back in the hospital with pneumonia in my lungs water and everything, but that didn't happen thank God.

But the rest of the stuff you guys are talking about I have no idea I don't know what you mean? I have to see a picture like Jim put up I understand what he's talking about when he showed a picture I really don't understand what you guys mean how you can turn it up at your nose with a rubber hose just joking around but I really don't understand must be the Polish in me.

Thank you Gerald for putting this up and if any of you can explain to me what you mean by turning it up at your nose I would love to know because sometimes I can't walk from my chair to the bathroom without my O2 dropping just like you Jerica.
Love,Gail. Ps. Sorry I talk everybody's ear off.

[joany]

Mar 2, 2018 19:08:43 GMT -5 lavishgail said:

...
And I do know what you mean by turning it up and down, I can't turn mine up and down unless I literally go to it then down and get a magnifying glass to see where the hell that little line is and turn it up myself.

I go through Lincare because they said no matter where you go in America they will be there to meet you even if you get off a plane and you need oxygen, so I chose to go with them and I am very unhappy. I mean the company here has two drivers only for everybody all around Pittsfield West Stockbridge Olive Berkshire only two men so when I give an order over the phone of what I need I don't see them for 2 weeks sometimes.
...

But the rest of the stuff you guys are talking about I have no idea I don't know what you mean? I have to see a picture like Jim put up I understand what he's talking about when he showed a picture I really don't understand what you guys mean how you can turn it up at your nose with a rubber hose LOL just joking around but I really don't understand must be the Polish in me.
...

...Gail, you hit several issues of mine.
o  I don't have a clue what "turning it up and down" means.  I'm poorly informed about one thing too many having to do with oxygen equipment.  I'm so poorly informed that I don't even know what to ask
o I too am a Lincare customer.  The Lincare support in my area is poor e.g. not returning calls, angry because I called, challenging my request, impatient .  I'm guessing that their support people are responding from their homes and I'm interrupting a TV show, dinner, walking the dog, plus, overall annoyed by people who have an illness  - How-Dare-We attitude. 

[lavishgail]

Oh Joany,

Yes it's very frustrating, I thought it was me, because I mean if I didn't hide bottles myself I would have nothing, I'd be dead!

by the time they get here if I hadn't hidden bottles all over the house I would have nothing and probably be dead.

Now I know it's not just me and you're right they probably are sitting home eating dinner or lunch and God forbid we called and asked for some oxygen so we can breathe and interrupted their meal or their TV show.
So, they come when they feel like it and if you're down on the floor, oh well that's just tough.

I'm about had it with that company, so hopefully when I go to my doctor my breathing is low enough where I can change to a new place, but like I said when I'm good I'm good and when I'm bad I'm really bad!! and they will not accept me with oxygen levels at 97-96.

I have to be very low in order for them to give me oxygen at this new place? So I will have to stay with this company until perhaps something happens? and I'm in the hospital, or something and then I can change. Not a great thing to think about, and well I can't think about that, because I'll be thinking about that all day long and all night and all week.

Anyway I hope you have better luck and I hope I do too, maybe when summer comes they will still feel like coming over more who knows? Take care of yourself joany,

Love Gail XOXOXOXO

[jarca]

i just lost my reply
gail, joany & anyone else if you don't understand something I talk about please ask & i will try to show pictures & explain.

when I first started 02 it was different than what it is like now for me. (progression of disease)
i learned by asking a lot of question about how to use 02 from people on these boards that had been on it longer than i was & taught me.
I still am learning because this disease changes every year on what i need to do. so i still ask lots of questions, but i also try to share what i do know.

Now days I need 3LPM sitting or laying down BUT 5LPM if i get up &  walk even short distance to kitchen sink or to answer back door.
So I constantly need to turn up & down the flow of 02----doing that at the machine is hard to see!!
so i found gauge that hooks up to cannula (thing up your nose).
so used to go 1. machine 2. long line 3. swivel 4. cannula 
now i go 1. machine 2 long line 3. Adjustable meter 4. cannula


As for LINCARE; if you are on medicare lincare HAS TO  provide you with certain things EVERY MONTH---our lives depend on 02!!! If Lincare isn't meeting your needs call main company (not local company) and complain!!! If they don't take you serious, tell them you will contact medicare/social security and DO CALL MEDICARE!!!

Local Lincare should be open 9am-5pm with lunch at 1-2pm during that time someone is always in my office while 2 other employees are out delivering to people.
if at lunch or on weekend I have real person answering service that takes message
if emergency someone from lincare calls me back in minutes & has brought me tanks, 02 machine etc on weekends or even midnight one time when my 02 machine broke.
otherwise, lincare gave me 1 day a month that they deliver to my area & i'm supposed to call 3-7 days ahead to order everything i think i will need.
if they aren't leaving you enough tanks ASK FOR MORE---& if they can't give you enough for month then they have to work out a weekly delivery to you!!!!
if you are on medicare, medicare has list of what Lincare (or any supplier) MUST furnish you!!
my 02 is my life & my 02 supplier better deliver what i need or i'm calling medicare & turning them in!!!

JIM!!! thank you for the picture of how you keep hose from kinking; i needed that info!!!! so simple answer to kinking as soon as i saw the picture! Big help for me!!!

 

[lavishgail]

Jarca, yrs I'm on Medicare,And yes they are my life line ad well. I do have a weekly time they come, and that is suppose to be Tuesday
They said what ever I need to call them on Monday ro put in my order, but when I'm in the hospital, and they call, then my P.C.A. calls, and 3 weeks later STILL nothing? I just was beside myself. So my husband called and they tried to say oh well we didn't know who they were talking about because they only said one last name? I mean in my case who the hell cares if I have one or two last names they all go to the same social security number. And that's bull they don't know me they've been coming here for 6 years so I have no idea why this was happening? Also I have not had to call them in a while so I think I better give them a call so they didn't forget me and they can pick my little folder up that's in the corner with dust on it and blow it off.
Thanks Jarca,if I have this problem again I will call main office! But what is that number I'm wondering? Hmm. If you know can you pass it on to me? Thank you,
Love Gail XOXOXOXO