Re: Does anyone here use at home oxygen treatment?

[Guest guest]

yes. My mask is ceramic and comes from the foundation store at the

Environmental Health Center of Dallas. Anne

On Dec 5, 2009, at 11:17 AM, barb b w wrote:

> ..with a mask instead of cannula?

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[Guest guest]

Why the question?

I use O2 when I need it, which has decreased markedly (at home) since getting

rid of my mattress. I am also very sensitive to chemicals, and have no fragrance

chemicals in my house. I know that makes a huge difference for me. I use O2 with

a cannula when walking, sometimes when biking, and with a mask and set at 5 when

using a cardio machine--treadmill or stationary bike. I will when I start a

cross trainer, too.

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> ..with a mask instead of cannula?

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[Guest guest]

I use oxygen for migraine headaches, but I have the flu...and chest tightness

and wondered if breathing in with a mask would be more effective for chest

congestion since I could breath in with mouth and nose but I'd have to go buy

one. I can get oxygen treatment at my doctors office with mask but it would

cost me 110 per treatment when I already have the oxygen part at home. Thanks

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> Why the question?

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[Guest guest]

The question was to ask if you get more oxgyen through a mask than a cannula?

It sounds like the answer is yes, since you use yours for running, when your

demand would be higher..assuming that from your answer.

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> Why the question?

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[Guest guest]

MY answer to your question is, yes, I feel I got more useable O2 with the mask

than with the cannula.

Interestingly, when I finished, I turned to O2 off, and didn't need it. I

probably should have left it on a few more minutes, but I didn't need it then. I

had just a few minutes left in the tank, and felt I might need it to get back to

my van.

When I started using the treadmilln or boke at the gym, I set the O2 to 5 and

used a cannula. Though the supervisor posted " please be fragrance free " signs,

not everybody is, and I still have problems with fragrances. I asked for a

conversation to make aadjustments for me for the caradio machines, but that has

not happened yet.

I need to do what I can do, and one thing I could do is try an O2 mask with the

O2. I had to get a prescription for it, and was advised by my provider to set it

at 5. Less than that, the buildup of carbon diooxide could cause death. So, if

you get a mask, do use it at at least " 5 "

Now, to further answer your question:

With the O2 at 5 and using a cannula, I had problems. I had to stop to rest

frequently. We have 30 minutes on a machine, hour to half, off . Next person

goes from half hour to the hour. Which basically gives me about 20 minutes of

use, and I may ask for an accommodation because of that. But I digress: With the

cannula, my nose often drips, causing it's own problems, but some stops were

simply to catch up on my breaths.

When I used the mask the first time, I was not at my best, and needed to stop

several times to rest and breathe. In fact, I had to sit down on the tm. The

second time I used it, I did very well. I did have to stop 3 times in the half

hour to blow my nose, get a drink, and once to take more of a rest.

MY answer to your question is, yes, I feel I got more useable O2 with the mask

than with the cannula.

It's possible, but I don't know yet, if fragrance chemicals will be a problem.

On both sides of me the first time were people using fragrances. The second

time, on one side were two people who were fragrance free, (husband and wife)

and on the other side was a man who was possibly fragrance free. That may have

made the difference between the two experiences.

If, with the O2mask, the f's still affect me, I will have to try something else.

They don't seem inclined to do more. But, we'll see.

Anyway, if you get a mask, don't use a setting less then 5, and check with your

provider first.

Ella

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> > Why the question?

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[Guest guest]

First of all, apologies for the misspellings and typos.

Thinking about all this, it must have been the fragrances that caused the

problem the first time I used a mask. The reason I sat was because of the

fragrance of the woman to my left. I should have quit when I became aware of her

f, but didn't.

So, I may have to go to a gas mask instead. If I can.

Ella

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> > > Why the question?

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I heard about the carbon monoxide possibility with the mask. Good you were

able to get an rx for oxygen for your frangrance problem. Thanks for the info.

>

> MY answer to your question is, yes, I feel I got more useable O2 with the mask

than with the cannula.

>

> Interestingly, when I finished, I

[Guest guest]

I don't have O2 for my chemical sensitivity.

I have O2 because I have a severely damaged respiratory system. Because my

respiratory system is so weak, it is often the first part of me that responds to

fragrances, and it's even more difficult to breathe. I suffer many other

symptoms, too, and because of them I pretty much live in a bubble.

I started going to the gym in order to prepare for lung surgery. My ability to

breathe improved to the point that I could see a difference in my " normal "

ability to breathe, and my ability to breathe when affected by fragrances (f).

At that time a few new people came, laden with f and I reacted. Using the gym

was a matter of life and death, and I had learned enough of the ADA that I asked

for help and got it. Until recently. They haven't _overtly_ said no, they just

haven't responded. I need to do what I can. (ADA: Paragraph ( prohibits overt

denials of equal treatment of individuals with disabilities.)

Even in a regular room, I can't use the cardio machines without O2.

With the cannula, though I have supplemental O2, I still am affected by

fragrances.

I do what I can to mitigate my disability.

They have not responded to my request for more help.

I thought I would see if an O2 mask would help.

The pulmo doc agreed, and prescribed a mask, since I use O2 on the cardios at 5

anyway.

I do not yet know if an O2 mask will be sufficient.

If not, I may try a 3M fume filtering mask if one will fit over the O2 mask, as

I cannot breathe through other masks.

If not, I see two other options: 1)getting a standard gas mask with side filters

and adapting it to receiving O2,

and 2)making a formal request for ADA accommodations.

A question might be, and I don't know how to phrase this yet, so all suggestions

are welcome: is a disabled person required to do something that will be

outstanding and unusual enough to cause humiliation and ridicule if a facility

can easily make a small change? such as use a hazmat type gas mask?

Ella

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> > MY answer to your question is, yes, I feel I got more useable O2 with the

mask than with the cannula.

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> > Interestingly, when I finished, I

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