questions for patients using oxygen

[entrepeneur]

I am a patient using oxygen and will continue for a long length of time. I am having problems with the dual nasal cannula prongs I have been given to use. I have used two types. These are my only choices per the home respiratory team. The dual nasal prongs are very uncomfortable, they become dislodged frequently while sleeping. The shape of the prongs is irritating within the nostrils. My question is am I the only one complaining or is this an on-going problem with other users of oxygen

[heartstart]

Salter Labs at 100 W. Sycamore Road, Arvin California 932003 USA make a nice soft, curved pronged, latex free nasal canula.  "Reference 1600, Adult Salter Style"
In time they will harden and need replacing but I supplied them to all the therapy patients and they were happy.

[heartstart]

Canulas do vary. The best ones to use are the ones with soft flexible nasal prongs. In time they do go hard and iritate but then that is time to replace them. The prongs on these are curved (unlike some that are straight) to go into the nose with the curve facing towards the back of your skull.
If you aren't happy, tell your therapist to sort it out for you and to come back to you with an answer, preferably in the form of a more comfortable canula.

[mmfd]

HI.  I also use oxygen at night.  There is a cannula made for children that has slightly smaller prongs.  I have found that if the cannula starts to bug me, it is time to change it.  Once a week is my average.  Also, if it becomes dislodged during your sleep, it may be you that is dislodging it!  You probably won't believe me, but this happens to me now and then, in fact it did last night.  You won't remember it, but I figure that I may try to scratch my nose or something like that and it ends up aerating my forehead!  So if I wake up and it is off I just put it back and go back to sleep.  Not a big deal.  If the cannula is adjusted properly under the chin, then I don't believe it can come out by itself, and I have been on oxygen about 4 years now.

[Bobbi-OH]

check out this site page three will talk about a Oxyarm
http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/forum.htm\
Check it out it could help you Bobbi-OH

[entrepeneur]

Another query about patients using oxygen. If a patient usually breathes through their mouth, rather than their nose, how can they be sure when using their oxygen that enough oxygen is actually inhaled?

[entrepeneur]

You are the typical patient having to put up with what the home delivery people give you to use for your oxygen needs. They don't seem to care whether it "works" for you, only that they give it to you because that is their job. Why should you, the patient or other patients have to find your own resources to remedy the problems?? How many of the companies now dispensing medical equipment and or medications are making millions on their products, and are giving lavish gifts so that their products will be prescribed and used??? It's not for the benefit of the patient first and foremost, it's all about making profits. And guess what if it doesn't work or causes problems down the road then maybe it will be resolved. I am going to try like heck to get my idea out to some company who has the compassion and brains to realize the "patient comes first". I am fed up with using my oxygen and not wanting to do it all the time. Whoever designed the dual nasal prongs must have had a cast iron nose. I have only been offered two types of prongs one straght up and one flared and neither is acceptable. The problem also is them becoming dislodged while sleeping. Adjusting the cannula at the throat has not solved my problem. We will see what happens in the future

[entrepeneur]

Well guess what I am going to come up with a better solution. ONe company only has the monopoly of issuing the standard dual nasal prongs. Noone has complained enough to do anything about it. My point is patients using oxygen already have problems why shouldn't the equipment be as comfortable as possible for their use, and not be told "this is what we give you to use". Thanks for recognizing the need for change. And you should not have to make your equipment over in order to use it. These companies make huge money and their product should be of the highest quality.Thanks for your input

[dllfo]

I agree with you but will "raise you one"...I have to use oxygen AND heliox.  So I have had to put up with TWO cannulas in my nose.

My DME people are lame, lazy and limited in their vocabulary. They are trained like the TV commericial, "Just say no..."

I finally went to the web and bought my own oxygen cannulas and got some "Y" connectors so I only have one set of cannulas to use and when I bought 50 of the seven ft length cannula hoses, I also got some one ft "hoses" that allowed me to combine both E bottles. It is much nicer.

The hoses I bought were by the same manufacturer, but the web companies had a wide variety of prices. I think I finally got 50 for about $22.50 plus shipping. Less than half of what other companies were asking.

I solved my comfort problem..oh wait, the DME people (not sure if I am allowed to mention names) gave me straight cannulas that fell out of my nose. My new flared set has a piece that slides up and down the hose, effectively "locking" the cannula in place.
SO NICE.  I used to have to watch that the old ones didn't fall out.

Modify them to what you need.

[woodbeegood]

I have the same issues you do-i cut the nasal prong parts and sort of customized them so it feels a little better. you would think they could come up with a better setup.