Keb

Keb

Good morning everybody.  I'm looking for any information available on retractable tubing systems for use in a private home.  


I'm caregiver for a wonderful "homebound" individual who must use O2, 24/7 in her hm.  My lady uses an electric scooter to get around her hm.  She currently uses  50' of tubing connected to her condenser.   


This is located midway in her home so she can go into her livingroom, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and reach both doors in her hm.  When she leaves her hm she uses a portable condenser.


Our problem is the 50' hose lays on the floor dragged behind her scooter getting tangled and can disconnect from her cannula.  It gets stuck on the small wheel at the rear of her scooter or caught up underneath it often.


It seems to me there should be some sort of "retractable system" that would allow the hose to play out as needed and when not all the tubing is in use, have it securely above the ground.


Can anybody suggest something for our problem???



3 hours ago

Lorrie State Captain of South Mississippi

Lorrie State Captain of South Mississippi

Mornin Ya'll I relize it's not ole Fluffy Friday but this is ta cyte of a picture and story not ta Share.  So I was in the house and heard sumpin bangin onvthe back door in our room and also heard Crazy Jay's tail hittin the inside door well I walked out and Goof goof was doin backflips off of the storm door playin Peek a boo with Jay . Afterward Goof goof got up on the chair ta play some more . Just thought ya'ens would get a laugh outta it .
Have Ya'ens Self a Wonderful Day my Friends 
Lorrie 

3 hours ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/business/fda-purell/index.html

FDA to Purell: Stop claiming your hand sanitizers eliminate Ebola, MRSA & flu

The US Food and Drug Administration is giving the maker of Purell products a stern warning: Stop making unproven claims that over-the-counter hand sanitizers help eliminate Ebola, MRSA or the flu.

4 hours ago

Eric the Red

Eric the Redanswered the question Ashwagandha benefits for COPD

Thanks for your responses to my post on Aswaganda Jean and Caroline.Much appreciated.Well I have tried CBD oil,six small bottles imported from California,now been taking one Ashwagandha pill in the morning and one at bedtime for about 6 weeks.I was …

11 hours ago

Eric the Red

Eric the Red

Hi Vinny,Thank you for your good wishes for me in 2020.I of course reciprocate for you and yours.I do read Q&A daily and the daily posts here.I do forget to open my mail for some reason.My apologies for my late reply to you.

11 hours ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

I don't think running is going to be in my workout routine, my knees have been bothering me since Saturday, I'm guessing tendinitis? I have my eye on a Firmstrong Bicycle, they're just slightly out of my reach financially right now. I really wish I could Bike to work and ditch the car and payments forever, that would be to good to be true! 

18 hours ago

Ben A

Ben A

Now that I've discovered that the Plaquinel was the source of my SOB and that I stopped taking it, I'm doing much better.  And last night, I realized that we'd eliminated the Singulair from my routine without taking the Plaquinel's effect into account.  Last night, I reintroduced it and this morning my asthmatic SOB was MUCH improved.


So, the good news since eliminating the Plaquinel - I'm breathing significantly better.
The bad new since eliminating the Plaquinel - my arthritis is going untreated and it hurts like hell.


If it ain't one thing, it's another......

18 hours ago

joney

joney

I am doing well hope u are all well๐Ÿ˜

20 hours ago

Susiejoy

Susiejoy

Hey all. Beautiful day in Memphis . 

20 hours ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain Someone challenged me this morning to a 10000 step challenge, I won! Not bad for a dude with COPD๐Ÿค˜

20 hours ago

ksuzn

ksuznHaving a quiet day today; low energy, but not in a bad way. The end of last week got referred to er for a chest x-ray and blood work to rule out pneumonia. I'd been getting a lot of exercise-induced asthma even with precautions. I'd had continuous wheezing for weeks and then persisted on prednisone. They gave me a breathing treatment and after the labs came back sent me on my way. No pneumonia.

So I get home, and over the weekend I'm getting my test results on my chart. On the CBC WBC was elevated which was expected by the doc with the pred. He didn't get a differential, ack! which I really would have liked to see what the eosins and neutrophils were doing. There has been mentioned that my asthma is steroid dependent. Could have showed up in the diff.

Chest xray reported nodule in right lower lung. This was the dreaded bedside ex-ray and I am only hoping that is part of my Boob. dummy! I do have a  CT confirmed nodule in left lower lobe.

I did get some relief over the weekend, I began to be less symptomatic and the continuous wheezing is gone for the most part. I also have not had exercise-induced asthma, and my rhinitis symptoms are under control. I had just started accolade----like singulair--and it seems to be working for that. I does make me feel SOB though, especially in the morning, so time will tell if that is the right thing for me.

As far as the x-rays and radiology, this also relates to the QandA here:
https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Questions-and-Answers/What-Can-X-rays-and-Ct-scans-really-tell-us.aspx

What Can X-rays and Ct scans really tell us?

Ok, so I phrased this as a question because I really wonder sometimes--my pulmonologist was going over my last CT which showed that the "possible …

21 hours ago

Caroline

Caroline

I am here asking for your help one more time, and this will probably not be the last time that I request advice and counsel from this group.  I am getting ready to prepare my presentation to the nursing students at one of our local community colleges.  


I would like to hear from some of you who have done such speaking events and get your input about what I should include in my presentation.  I have 45 minutes for speaking and questions.


I know that the COPD foundation did a workshop on this in which I was not able to fully participate. 


Hit me with your best shot. lol

22 hours ago

Kenn

Kenn

So, over the last two months or so my peak flow rates have gone from 220-250 down to averaging 180. The right upper side of my chest hurts to breath in (sharp pain) and my lungs are always on fire. My o2 levels are always good when I've been to the pulmo office or the couple times I've ended up in the ER over the last couple months. X-rays consistantly show no inflamation or fluid build up. I had been doing Yoga and some exercising in the mornings until the last couple months. Now I can berely walk across the room without getting dizzy and short of breath. Should I be pushing my pulmonologist to dig deeper or do something else? I get super overwhelmed and confused over the last few months as well. Any suggestions?

22 hours ago

Elana

Elana

Dear Bill, Your answer is pulling me through.  And so many people on this site are so realistic about this that I am losing my fear. Thank you so much, Elana

1 day ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

I quit June 2015, started seeing a pulmonologist and exercising later that year. The first few months were challenging, I didnโ€™t desaturate during the standard tests but I would getting on the  low after 15-20 mins of exercise. I kept exercising and my pulmo kept testing trying to get insurance to qualify me for supplemental O2. The problem was, the more I exercised the better my O2 saturation got. My lung function didnโ€™t improve but my muscle condition improved significantly and that was behind the change. I still see it, 4 years ago a particular exercise might make me quickly drop to 88, 90ish these days that same exercise I will be 93, 94. Deconditioning can play a role in low O2. 


I would talk to your pulmonologist and get serious about exercise. 

1 day ago

breathe for today

breathe for todayanswered the question Getting off o2

I was able to get off oxygen 18yrs ago after quitting my 3 1/2 pack per day habit. Excercise was key. I am probably getting close to needing oxygen but 18 years was good.

1 day ago

breathe for today

breathe for today

Hi Everyone,    My cousin has chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
 He contacted the LUNG INSTITUTE in Pittsburgh in the fall and laid down $ 12,000 for the stem cell treatment. 

Talked to him last night.  No change in 2 and 1/2 months.  He is still hopeful and has one more treatment.  Will keep you posted.  He is in contact with others.  No miracles here.  He said the treatment is supposed to heal lung tissue.  
I urge you to ask a lot of questions.  All I got was it's different for everyone.    

1 day ago

Jean IA State Captain

Jean IA State Captainanswered the question Getting off o2

That depends on a lot of things. If you don't quit smoking, there's absolutely no chance that it will happen, so quitting is the first step. Once you've got that down, the next step is exercise. Exercise will make both your heart and your lungs much more …

1 day ago

Snowflake

Snowflakeanswered the question Worry

I am in a program here in which I have been provided a pulse oximeter, blood pressure machine, scale and a tablet. Once daily my tablet comes on and asks health questions and requests my stats. This information is sent directly to a Tele Health nurse. …

1 day ago

netmouse

netmouseasked the question: Where is lungguy?

Return to us โ€ฆ your insight and info is so valuable to us โ€ฆ.

1 day ago

ksuzn

ksuznanswered the question Worry

Yes, what Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain Said. Also many of the new smartphones, wearables and fitness watches, have had HR and pulse oximeters, for a while now and there is a whole culture built around the fitbit. Really miss my old Samsung phone that had the HR and Ox- …

1 day ago

lbcoopman

lbcoopmanasked the question: Getting off o2

if you stop smoking can you or is there a chance of getting off 24 hr a day o2?

1 day ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain answered the question Worry

Don't forget athletes, mountain climbers and anyone in the aviation field also use Oximeters, I've had high endurance athletes inquire about them!

1 day ago

AMO

AMO

Thanks for asking. I had a very, pleasant day. I am still kinda in shock over my copd diagnosis. I doctor told me Thursday

1 day ago

Jean IA State Captain

Jean IA State Captainanswered the question Has anyone had a cold this winter

Katherine 58, your COPD did not go away; you still have it and will have it for the rest of your life. What went away were the symptoms, probably brought on by some sort of exacerbation. You're very lucky in that you clearly are in the mild stage of the …

1 day ago

Josephbel

Josephbelanswered the question Has anyone had a cold this winter

I caught one too in early January, check it with my regular doctor just so he can listen in on the lungs and he gave me clearence. I had no fever thank God! Rest and lots of fluid helped me get thru it in few days. Tean with lemon and no sugar can help a …

1 day ago

Soleena

Soleena answered the question Coping with shortness of breath

thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I will ask about pulmonary rehab and breathing techniques. My doctor told me I have a tendency to air trap which is not comfortable. Iโ€™ve discovered wearing cpap helps. Albuterol before morning inhalers is …

1 day ago

lbcoopman

lbcoopman

Yesterday and today have been the best i have had in awhile.not sure why but ill take it. Starting smoking cessation class!
Question...has anyone come off o2 by stopping smoking? I know yhe many benefits but wondering about this one. 

1 day ago

Grandma05

Grandma05

Good evening all, I took in all your comments to my questions and have had a long talk with myself ๐Ÿ˜†.
Yes Iโ€™ve got the diagnosis emphysema which isnโ€™t causing any symptoms which is tremendous, I read your posts and I wish I could take it all away but obviously I canโ€™t, you are all so kind to respond over and over and thatโ€™s helped me more than youโ€™ll ever know so from the bottom of my heart thank you ๐Ÿ™.
I hope one day I can help you like you help me, have a great evening and il keep each and every one of you in my prayers xx

1 day ago

JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Has anyone had a cold this winter

I caught a cold near the end of November. It took longer than I anticipated for the effects of the cold to pass, but has cleared for the most part. Absolutely call your doctor tomorrow, if only to check in to see if you should be doing anything …

1 day ago

das23

das23answered the question Has anyone had a cold this winter

So far no cold for me {fingers crossed}----ur right-call your Dr tomorrow. That's what I do if I feel a cold coming on. Good luck

2 days ago

Katherine58

Katherine58asked the question: Has anyone had a cold this winter

has anyone had a cold this winter yet. Iโ€™m nervous. Nโ€™ose is running continuously - started early this am. Was diagnosed with copd emphysema last June , it took 2 months to go away with prednisone and antibiotics. Will be calling my gp tomorrow - but …

2 days ago

Angelos Giagia

Angelos Giagia

This is my first communication on this app. 
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with moderate copd Emphasima . Thank goodness no flu or even a common cold in the last 2 years until last week. Got the flu. Fever, sore throat and muscle aches. 3 days in and Iโ€™m coughing. Since this is the first time Iโ€™m dealing with this since my ER visit and admission into the hospital Iโ€™m a little nervous. Iโ€™m currently overseas and am hesitant to see a pulmonologist here. I have a prescription for prednisone with me. A nebulizer and my albuterol. Robitusson for cough. And a zpack Incase of respiratory infection. Iโ€™m taking the prednisone. High dose for 5 days. Waiting to see the color of the mucus before I start the antibiotic. And using the nebulizer every 6 hours. I actually feel pretty okay but Iโ€™m having some anxiety because what I experienced 2 years ago was terrifying. Am I doing the right things? And when will I know if I need to go to an ER? 
Hope someone here can help me out. 
Thanks!

2 days ago

Sassycat

Sassycatanswered the question Red hand palms (palmarerythema)

I am confused as to why your doctor is referring you to a pulmonologist for COPD. Do you have symptoms other than the red palms that can be from a 100 different things?

2 days ago

Soleena

Soleena answered the question Cold weather and oxygen concentrators

thank you all for your replies and thoughts. My DME office said just to minimize time out in the extreme cold. Usually it is just getting from my car to the building or scraping my car off that Iโ€™m out in the cold. Thankfully it has warmed up to the 30s …

2 days ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Since we are having posts about skin, it seems to me I get painful skin at times or skin feels sore like I have the flu type of skin pain. I know its from the inhalers. I take very good care of my skin and everything else, just avoiding problems down the road. 

2 days ago

Snowflake

Snowflakeanswered the question Red hand palms (palmarerythema)

Great article, thank you ksuz. Overwhelming and scary how many things are related to or caused by having COPD. โ„

2 days ago

Snowflake

Snowflakeanswered the question Red hand palms (palmarerythema)

://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/p...

2 days ago

ksuzn

ksuznanswered the question Red hand palms (palmarerythema)

don't know about my liver but auto immune disorders and, interesting...albuterol https ://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/p...

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Iโ€™m applying a bit of Mederma to the faint discolorations so they will better blend in with the rest of my forearm. sure looks better than I had feared!

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Finally, I am able to shed the hydrocollodiol bandages and viola a much less noticeable pair of scars than I feared. My H has been using these fancy, pricey bandages for years now. Iโ€™m a convert. They cost a lot but it does really reduce the size and notice ability of the scar for skin tears.


Sadly, my skin tears very easily thanks to decades of inhaled steroids for improved breathing and clumsiness.  Iโ€™m really happy to have these โ€œfancy bandages,โ€ so my skin doesnโ€™t look so scarred. 

2 days ago

Marsha Gail

Marsha Gailanswered the question Worry

I donโ€™t have an answer, but I want to comment on how great it is for us โ€œnewbiesโ€ to be able to read such varied and well informed answers here. Thank each of you for taking the time to answer questions that you have probably answered a thousand times …

2 days ago

MM4

MM4answered the question Worry

I have 2, one is my purse for when I'm out and about (daily) and one I use around the house. I do check it often when I'm active because I know I'm often close to being too low so I make sure I'm still ok. Not out of fear or nervousness, but sometimes …

2 days ago

Forgeti5

Forgeti5

๐Ÿ˜’ Just had an argument. Glad I can
come here to catch my breath. Kaya
โ™ก๐Ÿ’ƒ โ™ก โ™ก

2 days ago

Marsha Gail

Marsha Gail

Hi, everybody. Iโ€™m having a pretty good day. Iโ€™m optimistic enough that I bought the large tube of toothpaste at the store. I Have a question about my O2 levels. I got an oximeter earlier this week and Iโ€be been checking my levels a few times a day to get a read on how my supplemental O2 is working. If I a without the O2 it drops to the 70โ€™s. I put on the O2 and it goes to the 90โ€s. But I donโ€™t feel any different with the O2 going, or without it. Am I supposed to feel a difference?

2 days ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota answered the question humidifier bottle

My allergist before had me get rid of humidifier due to mold and fungus that grow quickly maybe the humidifiers now days are much better back when. My eye dr says use one without filter that is where the mold grows. Who knows.

2 days ago

ksuzn

ksuznanswered the question Worry

I went through the "toy" phase as well, and it still kind of is, and yes it got me into trouble a few times--especially when I forgot it was time to change the batteries. Still, it is a very necessary tool at times, especially when I think I'm getting …

2 days ago

Caroline

CarolineHere is my orchid in bloom again this year and for the first time I have the second bloom stock. The orchid is a reminder of the film essay that Boehringer did on my struggle with COPD and the help that Snowball and Albert have to my survival. For those of you who are new, here is the link. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/respiratory/copd/unique-bond-my-side

2 days ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain I beat my all time step count and mileage between work and my exercise. Just shy of 15 miles. Eveything was perfect yesterday the weather,  breathing etc... today is a little rougher 

2 days ago

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Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.