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Home O2
I have been having a fair amount of trouble with shortness of breath ,being lightheaded, and recently feeling like I was going to pass out. In addition to MS I also have COPD which is the major cause for my breathing problems and it came to a head the other day.
After just 3-4 small coughs I not only got lightheaded, but my vision started to gray like I was going to pass out. As soon as I stopped coughing and was able to take a good breath the graying and lightheadedness when away. I bought this up with my PCP last Wednesday when I saw her and am scheduled to go to the Home Oxygen Clinic at the VA for evaluation in a month.
Has anyone here gone though these evaluations? What are they like?
I really think I need some O2 as I have trouble every time there is a large storm ( low pressure area) or when I go to a even slightly higher altitude than where I live.
Dennis
After just 3-4 small coughs I not only got lightheaded, but my vision started to gray like I was going to pass out. As soon as I stopped coughing and was able to take a good breath the graying and lightheadedness when away. I bought this up with my PCP last Wednesday when I saw her and am scheduled to go to the Home Oxygen Clinic at the VA for evaluation in a month.
Has anyone here gone though these evaluations? What are they like?
I really think I need some O2 as I have trouble every time there is a large storm ( low pressure area) or when I go to a even slightly higher altitude than where I live.
Dennis
They actually make the concentrators in a portable for so that you can carry them around with you. My mom had both types so that she could go out.
I'll be looking forward to finding out the name of those gel packs.
Dennis
I'll be looking forward to finding out the name of those gel packs.
Dennis
I believe a concentrator is usually the delivery method of choice for home oxygen therapy these days. Whoever pays the bill likely chooses concentrator or cylinder based on price comparisons. The indicators are the same to use either.
Neither cylinders nor concentrators delivers anything close to straight oxygen. That isn't something most anyone would benefit from anyway. Tanks are used when high percentages of oxygen are needed though. They do that by combining a high flow rate with a special mask.
Regular room air contains 21% oxygen. A person with COPD being treated at home would likely be ordered a 2L/min flow rate using a nasal cannula. That delivers about 28% oxygen.
I know it feels like it is hard to breathe Dennis but you have to remember that with COPD the problem is more about getting excess CO2 out than it is about pulling additional O2 in.
Mary
Neither cylinders nor concentrators delivers anything close to straight oxygen. That isn't something most anyone would benefit from anyway. Tanks are used when high percentages of oxygen are needed though. They do that by combining a high flow rate with a special mask.
Regular room air contains 21% oxygen. A person with COPD being treated at home would likely be ordered a 2L/min flow rate using a nasal cannula. That delivers about 28% oxygen.
I know it feels like it is hard to breathe Dennis but you have to remember that with COPD the problem is more about getting excess CO2 out than it is about pulling additional O2 in.
Mary
Dennis,
I know I answered this last night but I must have overlooked pushing the post comment button. it happens sometimes.
anyway, I just want to let you know that my DH also deals with COPD so I understand a bit of what you are going through.
I'm thinking one of the air compressors would be a good thing. You can get an extra long length of tubing and go as far as you need without moving the machine with you.
best, L
ps haven't been back to the store to get you the ice pack name, but I will!
I know I answered this last night but I must have overlooked pushing the post comment button. it happens sometimes.
anyway, I just want to let you know that my DH also deals with COPD so I understand a bit of what you are going through.
I'm thinking one of the air compressors would be a good thing. You can get an extra long length of tubing and go as far as you need without moving the machine with you.
best, L
ps haven't been back to the store to get you the ice pack name, but I will!
Thank you for your LONG response. No I'm not complaining about the length, just that it must have taken you quite a while to write and am grateful to you.
They did a lung function test on me about 2 years ago at the VA which included giving me a nebulizer which did not improve my breathing at all. I am also very aware of those finger sensors as every time I go to the VA ER they stick one of those on my finger.
What I am hoping for is one of those oxygen concentrators ( basically an air compressor ) that increases the amount of O2 when I breath which is different that being given straight oxygen.
Dennis
They did a lung function test on me about 2 years ago at the VA which included giving me a nebulizer which did not improve my breathing at all. I am also very aware of those finger sensors as every time I go to the VA ER they stick one of those on my finger.
What I am hoping for is one of those oxygen concentrators ( basically an air compressor ) that increases the amount of O2 when I breath which is different that being given straight oxygen.
Dennis
Hi Dennis. I think you're right that the qualifiers would be the same as those for Medicare. The government probably just PAYS LESS for care for its veterans.
I don't know what all the eligibility criteria are but I think there are separate standards for people who have been in the hospital on oxygen, those being tested from a home setting and how often you need the oxygen therapy (continuous, only at night or only while exercising).
They could test by drawing a blood sample from an artery to determine the amount of oxygen (and a few other things) in the blood being carried to your body. This sample can often be taken from the wrist.
It is also possible they could attach a sensor to your finger as you exercise to get a continuous readout of how much the oxygen saturation changes. Of course the success of that type of test would depend on how much strenuous activity you can tolerate and for how long. You might remember them putting this type of sensor on your finger during your sleep study.
I don't know if they would do any other lung function tests. They might if they need to verify your diagnosis because not all conditions that improve with oxygen will qualify you for its use. I'm sure COPD would be covered condition but keep in the back of your mind (as information for the future that I hope you never need) that increasing oxygen flow will NOT always improve your ability to breathe.
When you have COPD your brain can get used to higher levels of carbon dioxide and miss sending your lungs a signal to keep breathing if blood oxygen levels get too much higher than your usual. If you are started on oxygen NEVER decide on your own to turn the flow rate higher than the level prescribed by your doctor.
I would think it would be considered in your favor toward getting home oxygen therapy if your troubled breathing hasn't responded well to inhalers or other medication attempts. Have you ever had a nebulizer to use at home during these difficult times or a breathing treatment in the hospital? Sometimes those treatments get the medicine deeper into your lungs and are better at breaking up sudden attacks than a handheld inhaler. It is also nice if you can treat when you have symptoms rather than all the time. Lots of those COPD medicines have unpleasant side effects.
Keep working at getting all the things you need through the VA Dennis. I haven't met many vets with your patience and persistence when dealing with VA facilities or regs. For that reason I've come across even fewer who end up as successful as you in getting what they deserve. When I pay taxes in 2012 I'm going to put on the 1040 that I want my donation to be applied directly to the service member of my choice (that would be you)!
Mary
I don't know what all the eligibility criteria are but I think there are separate standards for people who have been in the hospital on oxygen, those being tested from a home setting and how often you need the oxygen therapy (continuous, only at night or only while exercising).
They could test by drawing a blood sample from an artery to determine the amount of oxygen (and a few other things) in the blood being carried to your body. This sample can often be taken from the wrist.
It is also possible they could attach a sensor to your finger as you exercise to get a continuous readout of how much the oxygen saturation changes. Of course the success of that type of test would depend on how much strenuous activity you can tolerate and for how long. You might remember them putting this type of sensor on your finger during your sleep study.
I don't know if they would do any other lung function tests. They might if they need to verify your diagnosis because not all conditions that improve with oxygen will qualify you for its use. I'm sure COPD would be covered condition but keep in the back of your mind (as information for the future that I hope you never need) that increasing oxygen flow will NOT always improve your ability to breathe.
When you have COPD your brain can get used to higher levels of carbon dioxide and miss sending your lungs a signal to keep breathing if blood oxygen levels get too much higher than your usual. If you are started on oxygen NEVER decide on your own to turn the flow rate higher than the level prescribed by your doctor.
I would think it would be considered in your favor toward getting home oxygen therapy if your troubled breathing hasn't responded well to inhalers or other medication attempts. Have you ever had a nebulizer to use at home during these difficult times or a breathing treatment in the hospital? Sometimes those treatments get the medicine deeper into your lungs and are better at breaking up sudden attacks than a handheld inhaler. It is also nice if you can treat when you have symptoms rather than all the time. Lots of those COPD medicines have unpleasant side effects.
Keep working at getting all the things you need through the VA Dennis. I haven't met many vets with your patience and persistence when dealing with VA facilities or regs. For that reason I've come across even fewer who end up as successful as you in getting what they deserve. When I pay taxes in 2012 I'm going to put on the 1040 that I want my donation to be applied directly to the service member of my choice (that would be you)!
Mary
wow, I'm sorry Dennis!
My guess is that they will be able to prescribe oxygen for you. A friend of mine used oxygen off and on because she worked in a ceramic studio for years. She had a small cart that she could wheel around when she would visit. And, there were times she didn't need it.
COPD is tough, I hope you get answers soon!
Red
My guess is that they will be able to prescribe oxygen for you. A friend of mine used oxygen off and on because she worked in a ceramic studio for years. She had a small cart that she could wheel around when she would visit. And, there were times she didn't need it.
COPD is tough, I hope you get answers soon!
Red
Since I get my health care through the VA I suspect that it would be the same as for Medicare.
My breathing problems are more like altitude sickness in that I have trouble breathing during storms ( low air pressure) and when I go even a little bit higher in altitude that I live ( about 1000 feet) . Last year when my mother died I drove out to Oregon and had a horrible time going over the mountains ( headache, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheaded, and aching lungs). Of course the heat this year hasn't help with my breathing at all either.
I have had a sleep study done in the past which indicated no problems there.
As far as the blood gas levels that my be my only problem in getting oxygen therapy. The VA is about 300 feet lower than my home and I don't have any problems breathing at that altitude. Most of the time I don't even have trouble breathing at home either. It is only during storms, high heat, and traveling that causes the problems.
Otherwise I have a COPD DX and they have tried various inhalants which don't help me at all.
Dennis
My breathing problems are more like altitude sickness in that I have trouble breathing during storms ( low air pressure) and when I go even a little bit higher in altitude that I live ( about 1000 feet) . Last year when my mother died I drove out to Oregon and had a horrible time going over the mountains ( headache, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheaded, and aching lungs). Of course the heat this year hasn't help with my breathing at all either.
I have had a sleep study done in the past which indicated no problems there.
As far as the blood gas levels that my be my only problem in getting oxygen therapy. The VA is about 300 feet lower than my home and I don't have any problems breathing at that altitude. Most of the time I don't even have trouble breathing at home either. It is only during storms, high heat, and traveling that causes the problems.
Otherwise I have a COPD DX and they have tried various inhalants which don't help me at all.
Dennis
Hi Dennis, I am sorry to hear about your need for oxygen and am interested to see what you have to go through.
I would think there is a set of tests or measurements to make sure you meet the criteria. Do you know what your oxygen sats are at different times of the day? Probably depends on your insurance. For Medicare coverage, they want:
Your doctor must document a severe lung disease or other condition that interferes with your ability to breathe
Your condition might improve with the use of oxygen
Your blood gas level falls within a certain range
Other alternative measures were not helpful for you (medicare.gov)
Have you had a sleep study yet? I am thinking that your sats are probably really low at night. A sleep study will help your cause.
I had a sleep study last month and have to go back a third time because they haven't been able to titrate properly yet. One of the things I learned is that with some people, oxy is also used with the CPAP treatment. A girl I met said her life was changed dramatically once she got oxygen therapy.
I will look for more info. please keep us posted. I would really like to know what happens.
hugs, Red
I would think there is a set of tests or measurements to make sure you meet the criteria. Do you know what your oxygen sats are at different times of the day? Probably depends on your insurance. For Medicare coverage, they want:
Your doctor must document a severe lung disease or other condition that interferes with your ability to breathe
Your condition might improve with the use of oxygen
Your blood gas level falls within a certain range
Other alternative measures were not helpful for you (medicare.gov)
Have you had a sleep study yet? I am thinking that your sats are probably really low at night. A sleep study will help your cause.
I had a sleep study last month and have to go back a third time because they haven't been able to titrate properly yet. One of the things I learned is that with some people, oxy is also used with the CPAP treatment. A girl I met said her life was changed dramatically once she got oxygen therapy.
I will look for more info. please keep us posted. I would really like to know what happens.
hugs, Red
Sorry you are dealing with having a hard time breathing. I hope you can get some help with this.
take care,
Pam
take care,
Pam
I'm sorry you have to deal with copd, too. I do, as well. That is why I can't try ginenya..it decreases lung function. It does complicate treating MS, doesn't it?
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