Guest guest Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Bruce ... long story short...I had my concentrator changed out for a quieter one. We live in an upstairs apt, as you know, and not only was the noise a bother for nighttime sleeping (can't get very far away from it) but the neighbors downstairs got the reverberation... Second and third ones were a bit quieter but did not fill the bill. Neighbor has a concentrator that is so quiet she keeps it right by her chair! I wanted what she had, a Resperionics...well Lincare said they didn't have that and couldn't get it...I said I would contact "the other company" and see if my insurance would cover w/them... three days later here came Lincare w/ a new concentrator and it's nice and quiet. Doesn't even have to have the filter cleaned...everything is internal. BTW...my pulmodude didn't even know what the PFLEX trainer WAS. Never heard of it but he did send an Rx after I gave him the website. Yeah, we keep on keepin' on 'till we get what we need! MamaSher, age 70. IPF 3-06, OR. NasturtiumsDon't fret about tomorrow, God is already there! Re: Cronic cough MargaretI doubt seriously that her doctor specified which of the portables, butrather did specify flow. The oxygen companies do often provideinappropriate equipment. For the record, doctors offices are oftenrather uninformed too. I realize you've only been here a short while butpeople are provided equipment that isn't best for them all the time andeven told certain equipment doesn't exist sometimes. Doctors offices arenot equipment knowledgeable sometimes and oxygen delivery people oftendeliver what they are use to or have handy or the least that willpossibly work. They deliver Helios Plus all the time to people whoreally need Marathons. They deliver concentrators that only go to 6 lpmwhen and act like there is no higher because thats all they happen tohave at that moment. They are use to COPD patients far more than PFpatients.Marathon is prescribed typically for those who are on flows no greaterthan 4 lpm most of the time as it has demand to 4 lpm and continuous to6 lpm. At 6 lpm, in addition to its short life it's inclined to freezeand it's rather uncomfortable blowing it's maximum. It also provides noroom for more if required. The Companion 1000T or the Caire StrollerHigh Flow are designed for patients requiring more flow. They arecontinuous only and go up to 15 lpm. So, I stand by my statement of theappropriate equipment for someone who constantly requires 6 lpm.Jane uses a respironics evergo and others may. Its a very good piece ofequipment if you can fit within its limitations. It is pulse only andgoes up to 6 lpm. So it can not be used for sleep or for anyone who canonly function on continuous. It works off AC and DC and at 2 lpm willlast nearly 8 hours on two fully charged batteries. Or 4 lpm for 4hours.If one needs continuous for sleep, the only portable that provides thatis the Sequal Eclipse. It is heavier than the Evergo although any ofthem are pretty much going to require a cart. It has continuous of up to3 lpm to go with pulse of 6 lpm.As to the costs for monthly concentrator rentals you are correct thatthey providers are charging quite a bit for little service on normallyrather old and inexpensive concentrators. I think most people believethey are more expensive than they are. I have a personal RespironicsEverflo that I own just for places like my cousins house with miles ofsteps where getting my reservoir inside is difficult. I paid around $700for it new. Reconditioned units are available for half of that. Thereare units under $600 new. However, the cost to the oxygen companies istanks and deliveries. For my reservoir and my liquid portable as well asproviding travel reservoirs when needed (although I also own own a smallone of my own they fill for me) the rate they charge medicare is quitereasonable. Knowing in case of problems I have 24/7 service is quite acomfort as well.> > > >> > > > I was diagnosed with IPF in March 2005. I'm unable to do things> > > > without my oxygen. When I try without the oxygen, it's> difficult> > and I> > > > cough uncontrollably. So the doctor put me on 3 liters 24/7. I> > take a> > > > portable tank with me when I go out.> > > >> > > > The cough is very annoying. There are times that I'm unable to> > speak> > > > because I'm unable to breath and the coughing. When I cough, I> > have a> > > > burning sensation in the back of my throat. The pain goes into> > the> > > > base of my neck (below my adam's apple).> > > >> > > > I'm going to my PCP next week to discuss this. Does anyone> else> > have> > > > this type of problem?> > > >> > > > Thanks for your thoughts.> > > >> > > > > > > >> > > >> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------> -> > -------> > > >> > > >> > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> > > > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com> > > > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.13/1916 - Release> > Date: 1/26/2009 7:08 AM> > > >> > > >> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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