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RobScott
Rookie
3 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 21 2010 : 2:21:59 PM
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| Does anyone use a portable oxygen concentrator like a Respironics Evergo? My Dad is with Apria and they don't carry them so they won't give us a demo. But we've been seeing commercials from a company called Open-Aire, www.open-aire.com, and I've seen it at a bunch of other sites online when I search with google. It looks good since he could travel with it, but I don't know much more than that. Is anyone here currently using one or used one in the past? Any experiences you could share would be great. |
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PennyPA
Contributing Member
USA
1564 Posts |
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CarolCA
Contributing Member
USA
606 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2010 : 6:24:16 PM
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| Probably the best way is to rent one from Lincare or whoever you can find to rent from. Some have continuous and others only pulse and that makes a big difference. What liter flow does he use? These only go to 3 on continuous. Can he carry something rather than pull it? There are some good comparisons if you google "compare POC's". They are pretty expensive but sometimes you can pick one up on Craigs list reasonable, well, still not cheap but then no warranty. Evergo has good ratings but a bit heavy as I remember. |
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RobScott
Rookie
3 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 5:20:59 PM
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| He's at 2 LPM right now, but he does have to put it up to 3 LPM sometimes. I'm not sure if he needs to have continuous or not thouugh. Open-Aire had a rental program so maybe we'll check it out. Still wanted to see if anyone had some personal experiences, but I suppose he's in no rush. Grandbaby isn't due until October so no big reasons to travel until then. |
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CarolCA
Contributing Member
USA
606 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 5:52:11 PM
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| If you will google "compare POC's you will get some good info from people that have done the research. If he has to use it 24/7 then you would have to have one that is continuous though some of them are very sensitive and can pick up nightime breathing with the pulse. They suggest that a person be tested for overnight if they are going to use pulse. |
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Dink
Rookie
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 6:07:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by RobScott
Does anyone use a portable oxygen concentrator like a Respironics Evergo? My Dad is with Apria and they don't carry them so they won't give us a demo. But we've been seeing commercials from a company called Open-Aire, www.open-aire.com, and I've seen it at a bunch of other sites online when I search with google. It looks good since he could travel with it, but I don't know much more than that. Is anyone here currently using one or used one in the past? Any experiences you could share would be great.
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Dink
Rookie
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 6:09:20 PM
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| I have an Inogen One and they are great. You can check it out on the internet. I am selling mine as I have a home care from Invacare and won't need it. |
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PennyPA
Contributing Member
USA
1564 Posts |
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CarolCA
Contributing Member
USA
606 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:08:38 PM
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| My O2 company has switched to the Evergo now for their portable customers. |
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tsainta
Member
41 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 09:34:24 AM
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| I have had an Invacare SP02 for over a year. I am satisfied with it, but it offers only demand flow. However, it goes up to 5LPM. If I were looking for a new one now I would take a good look at the Sequal Eclipse 3. It is a bit heavier and practical for mobile use only with a pull-cart, but it offers demand flow up to 6PLM and steady flow up to 3LPM. Be sure to understand your battery duration requirements. You may need several, and they're not inexpensive. Also check out the need and cost for other accessories like the pull-cart, battery charger, humidifier, AC and DC power supplies, and accessory bag. You may or may not need some or all of them. Vendors get very creative in how they market POCs. Some include a lot in the advertised price; others do not. |
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Dink
Rookie
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 3:09:46 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by PennyPA
Remember, you probably don't want to use the portable 24/7 as I don't think they're built for that but for traveling, they surely fit the bill.
The Inogen can be used 24/7, it even has a Satelite Conserver so you can use 100 ft of tubing. |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 5:45:37 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by CarolCA
My O2 company has switched to the Evergo now for their portable customers.
Can you tell me more about your evergo? I am with Apria and they won't supply a poc, so I wonder what company you have? |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:28:16 PM
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| I am alsoconcidering a LOX (liquid oxygen concentrator). Has anyone used the Spirit 600 or the big Heliios. I would be interested in your experience. Are there others on the market? |
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Helen-CO
Rookie
19 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 10:06:35 AM
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Here is an excellent site on the various 02 portables and concentrators, although the newer ones might not be included:
http://www.portableoxygen.org/
I have used the Helios Marathon (LOX) portable for five years and have been extremely happy with it. It weighs about 5 lbs filled and goes from 1 to 6 liters on continuous, and 1 to 4 on pulse/demand. |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 10:06:59 PM
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| Thank you so much for your answer. Could you tell me approx how long it lasts on 2 liters on demand? What kind of problems to you have when travelling? I'm sure you have to arrange for liquid to be available at your destination. Is this a problem? Or do you sometimes carry two lox? thanks for your help |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 10:23:01 PM
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| Really great web site. Thanks again |
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Helen-CO
Rookie
19 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2010 : 09:44:08 AM
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| The Marathon lasts app. 18.5 hrs on 2L demand/pulse. I've taken several long trips with my Marathon, a LOX travel reservoir, and a small concentrator furnished by my DME provider. |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2010 : 11:08:02 PM
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| HI Helen, you are way ahead of me. I assume you travelled by car. What is a lox travel reservoir? What do you mean by a small concentrator? What does DME mean? Does Medicare pay for your Marathon or did you have to purchase it? Thanks again for your great help. |
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PennyPA
Contributing Member
USA
1564 Posts |
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Helen-CO
Rookie
19 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2010 : 10:00:29 AM
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Hi Pat - actually we traveled in a van/SUV. Are you on LOX? The LOX travel reservoir is about half the size of the reservoir we use at home and lasted me a week. The small electric concentrator (uses room air to produce 02) is just smaller and easier to get in and out of vehicle.
You need to work thru your DME (durable medical equipment/02) provider to determine what your particular options are. Some companies are very limited in what they offer now.
Have you just started using oxygen? |
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Pat-tex
Rookie
7 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2010 : 2:31:09 PM
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| Hi Helen, no I am not new to Oxygen. My 02 provider is Apria. I have repeatedly tried to talk to them about what my options are for going from home more than my small Helios for 4-6 hours. I have 4 big tanks in my house with 100 foot canulas. Then I changed doctors and they are the ones who called Apria and told them to get me a Marathon. Apria is having to order one and it's already been 3 weeks and getting anymore info is difficult. My new doctors are at Baylor and apparently Apria jumps when they speak.amazing what changing Drs can do. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Marathon. I hope it isn't too big for me to carry on my shoulder. Do you use a cart of some kind. The weight sounds great and so does the amount of time. Does the Marathon evaporate like the Helios? I find that even turned off, the liquid leaks/evaporates over a period of hours. You have been so much help to me and maybe I can get out of the house for longer periods of time. Do you subscribe to the Pulmonary Paper, PO Box 877, Ormond Beach,Fl.? I like it very much. This group also has cruises where they will guarantee the oxygen will be available. They are going to Russia this year but that airline trip will be more than I want to endure (I am 83 years old) and the rest of the trips for this year are places I've been to so many times before but I'm hoping for something more interesting next year. |
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Helen-CO
Rookie
19 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2010 : 3:16:30 PM
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Wow, Pat--You are fortunate to have found doctors who have clout with your 02 company! Maybe they need to remind Apria you are still waiting for your Marathon. I think you will be very happy with it, but yes it does get heavy after a few hours. I wear mine in a backpack but sometimes just carry it by the handle. You could also use a cart. It doesn't vent out the 02 overnight like the small Helios does, which is a real plus.
I haven't seen a 'Pulmonary Paper' lately. Are you considering a Seapuffers cruse for those on 02? I've heard so many good things about their services and know they provide LOX on board. Here is their site: http://www.seapuffers.com/
Maybe your Apria branch provides one of the portable 02 concentrators such as the Inogen One, Sequal or others mentioned that you could test for travel. |
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Portable Oxygen Concentrators
