Posted by Chris M. on 11/5/2009, 10:39 pm, in reply to "linda"
72.251.78.232
Learning all you can personally about your equipment is essential for COPD'ers or for that matter anyone who uses supplemental oxygen. Chronic low oxygen can cause brain damage if nothing else, so become the local expert fast as you are the only one who will notice the slightly pinched tubing, the worn connector, the new noise...
I think oxygen in our free room is 21%, but those extra liters you are inhaling only bring you up to what others experience as "normal"...so when you drop lower you are robbing your brain, heart, kidney's, etc. No one else notices your slight problem but you are smart enough to become an advocate for your future by being able to monitor, adjust and check your own equipment and tubing.
Sadly, the DME suppliers are only filling contract requirements, and fill demands reluctantly, so I'm still amazed Nancy got the cooperation she did on her trips, but this is no time to be hands off- learn as much as you can and don't expect these companies to care a hoot. When they do, wonderful,still watch them closely for we are the ones who loose with a subtle too low oxygen.
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