Share Tips On Living Life With Lung Issues!

Wow! found this old thread and trying to bring it forward. Did not realize how long I had been on oxygen until I seen this. Currently on 2 liters 24/7 at rest and 3 liters with activity. I did get an Inogen One pulse control portable one so I could continue to work part time plus be as active as possible.

Looking forward to more updates and tips from other members.

I have been on O2 for about4 years no i let my copd run my life mo i am taking my life back, and that travel concentrator is great ! good luck to us on our journey from here on.

Great tips here! I am off the predisone and trying to watch my diet now. Need to make more time in my day to use the great nutrition tracker here on Spark as it helps me to stay on track with calories and sodium.
I think being outside during summer activities we really have to pace ourselves. I've found a hat works well as it keeps my face shaded.
In my basement bedroom I use a dehumidifier during the summer months. It seems to help.
When I first went on oxygen I declined the little cup that you fill with distilled water. Mistake! My nostrils were really dry and had sores. I now have the cup and it works wonders! The medical supply company I use is fantastic. When I went to Nashville a couple weeks ago they gave me a small concentrator that ran on power or batteries. Was a livesaver in the motel room, in the car and at the CMA Fan Fest. Made the trip more enjoyable.

Sorry to hear you're now on O2. Just a few things off the top of my head. Ask your O2 company for a swivel adapter. It will help prevent the tubing from twisting. There is a website called softhose. Their cannulas are softer and more comfortable than what I get from my O2 co. and are reasonably priced. A cotton bath robe reduces the need to dry off after a shower and saves your energy. Once you're off the prednisone, watch your diet. I have been able to use a lower O2 setting during exercise since I lost weight. (I'm still working on that one.) Please feel free to ask if you have any questions. I would be glad to help if I can.

How do you best protect your lungs and still be active outside - like today is Annual Rodeo Parade in town and we will go and sit on the curb in lawn chairs - will have lots of liquids and the inhaler in a cooler but any other hints?

Dear Husband is basking in the help of prednisone but as you all probably know, that is a decreasing dosage and he only has three more days...what do we expect when they are done? Forgive my fear, but will the attacks come back?? will he continue to feel this good? he laughingly says "I'm on steroids...super strength..." but is there trut in that - will it deminish when the prednisone is done? This is all so new - I want to know how to prepare myself for dealing with the next steps.

A general question of how do you keep your air clean [did you pull the carpet out of bedroom and go to no curtains and dust mite covers on all beddings etc like some articles say?? and specific: do you humidify or de-humidify your sleep area? Humidity seems to help the bronchial stuff but increases the wheezing...so what is one to do??? We live in a fairly dry area of Washington [not on the coast like many people picture Seattle washington] ---we actually live what is called 'high desert'

Thank you, Bonnie! I guess I'll have to stop caring a purse. Maybe just leave it in the car and put my wallet, phone, keys in a cloth bag or in my brief case. Between the oxygen, briefcase, purse & mail/paperwork..I was making several trips back & forth between the car, house, office. I will just have to lighten up! I pretty much have a routine now with mostly night time use. Some usage during the day as needed. Purchased an oximeter and watch the numbers. Doctor wants the oxygen levels between 92-95 and pulse between 72-75. Without the oxygen I always had to stop and force myself to breathe slowly until I could go again. Now, I don't have to do that!

Glad you asked Bob about the money jar...I was wondering too as I just started an emergency fund. Use to use the Sparksavings web site for their budget and savings plan but haven't updated it for some time.

Bob, that's how I knew I was having problems by the inhailers not doing the trick the way they use too. Was using the fast acting inhailer much too often.

Have a great day!

ok Bob have to ask .. whats with the money jar? I am sorry to hear that you all will be on oxygen eventually too.. my biggest problem with it is tripping over the daarn cord..one of these days I will probably break my neck on that thing..LOL Linda you may want to ask your oxygen company for some cream to put in your nose...mine gets scabbed from being so dried out and this cream helps that.. For a long time I took mine off to take a shower, however the breathing is worse so no longer do that.. another problem I have found is carrying things..it seems you always have to have one hand for the oxygen so I have stocked up on the cloth grocery bags and use them to carry about everything in as I can handle a light one in the same hand as the o2 and a heavier one in the other hand...very seldom use a purse anymore as it is just too much to carry.. if I think of other tips I will let you know.. you just learn from trial and error..

Hi Linda, I am sorry to learn of your going on oxygen but proud of the positive way you are dealing with it. I am not there yet but I also was told that eventually I would be on O2.
I am beginning to go through more inhalers so I know a change is happening.
I also wanted to wish you a Happy Mothers Day.
Keep up the positive attitude,it does rub off, on me anyway.
Bob

Linda, I am sorry to hear that they have put you on oxygen. So far I am managing without all that. But DR has told me the time would come that I will have to have it. I wish I had answers for you but I don't. I hope someone here will help you out and this way I can learn too!

I am on day 3 of living life with oxygen and am learning of all the adjustments I will be making in my day to day living and wondered if others could share how they are doing. Plus, learning all the medical lingo of reading oxygen levels and purchasing all the equipment & supplies that must be kept in my home and office. I have been blessed with having a Medical Supply Company right next door to my office that got all my equipment & supplies to me immediately plus they even set up a concentrator at my office so I wouldn't have to carry portable tanks back & forth. At home, the concentrator is in my bedroom with a long tubing so I can go upstairs to the kitchen and living room area. The third level of the house will have to be visited with a portable tank or no oxygen for short periods at a time. Thoughts are crossing my mind of selling this home for a one level ranch style home! Still on the antibiotics and steroids so have picked up another couple of pounds. Exercise has been nonexistent and food choices, not so good. Looking forward to hearing from others on how they manage day to day life taking care of themselves with all the extra baggage!