Getting Used to Wearing Oxygen at Night
All pulmonary fibrosis patients require supplemental oxygen as our disease progresses. As scarring in our lungs worsens, we need extra oxygen to stay alive.
Starting using oxygen
I was shocked when my doctor told me that I needed to use supplemental oxygen, which involves rolling a tank around with me. I said that I was 57 years old and not willing to push around an oxygen tank as if I were 80. He was surprised at my response and said I could carry a portable oxygen concentrator around in a backpack. I said, “OK, I am willing to do that.” It took me several months to feel comfortable carrying oxygen with me.
At first, I only used oxygen when I was moving around. Then I needed to use it at night when I was sleeping and eventually I was using it 24/7. Each time my oxygen needs increased, I grieved and argued with my doctor. I didn’t want to accept reality.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis News forums are a place to connect with other patients, share tips and talk about the latest research. Join today!
Using oxygen at night
I was particularly upset when I realized that I needed to wear oxygen when I slept. I thought it would make my sleeping difficulties worse.
It took a little time to get used to; at first, I worried about whether sleeping on my side would cut off the oxygen — but it didn’t. The emotional adjustment was more difficult for me than the physical. A wonderful outcome of wearing oxygen at night was that my quality of sleep improved significantly.
Low oxygen can contribute to sleep problems
Many patients with pulmonary fibrosis have problems sleeping, which increases fatigue and affects quality of life. It can be hard for us to fall and stay asleep. Sleep deprivation contributes to increased fatigue and a lower quality of life. Sleep problems originate from a variety of problems, one of which is reduced oxygen saturation.
PF patients are particularly vulnerable during the rapid eye movement, or REM, part of the sleep cycle. REM sleep is the most rejuvenating part of the cycle, but it poses a problem for PF patients. During REM sleep, the diaphragm controls breathing, while the smaller accessory muscles are temporarily not functional.
Those without a lung disease aren’t affected when this happens, but it is problematic for PF patients. Our blood oxygen levels may fall and cause us to wake up, disrupting our REM sleep. During REM sleep we dream, consolidate our memories, allow our bodies to recover and prepare for the next day. Not getting enough REM sleep can also affect how well our immune system functions.
Ask your doctor about whether you could benefit from an overnight oximetry study to check your oxygen levels while you sleep. Using oxygen at night may help you to sleep better and improve how you feel in the morning.
It really helped me
As my oxygen needs increased, I noticed that I was breathing through my mouth, rather than my cannula, which meant I wasn’t getting the oxygen I needed. I talked to my doctor about using an oxygen mask at night. He explained that if you are using 6 liters per minute (lpm) or more of supplemental oxygen you can wear a closed oxygen mask at night or during the day to improve your breathing. The use of an oxygen mask requires a prescription from your doctor. I started using a mask when needed 6 lpm and was becoming congested at night. Patients can also wear a vent or OxyMask when using between 1 to 15 lpm — I recommend checking with your doctor first.
My sleep quality has improved, and I’m feeling better since using supplemental oxygen at night and wearing a mask. However, we are all different, so what works for me may not work for you. Please talk with your doctor about your sleep problems and the solutions you are considering.
I’m glad I feel more rested in the morning, but it did take me time to adjust. I hope this information will help you to sleep a little better.
I’d love to hear from you!
Do you use oxygen at night? If so, how did you get used to it? If you use 6 lpm or more have you tried using a mask during the day or at night?
Please leave a comment below and share with those who could benefit via email or on social media.
***
Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.
About the Author
Rachel San Miguel
I use oxygen 24/7 and it is worse at night if I sleep laying down I wake up and during the night congested. I sleep almost sitting up
Ed Campbell
Consider sleeping on a “motion bed”.
It takes a while getting used to (elevating waist up) but it does help.
We purchased the king size which gives you two “single” beds that operate independently.
Also the extra benefit is to be able to raise those tired legs when you are sleeping.
Helen Turcotte
I use oxygen at night: 3 lpm. I would wake up with sore lower legs when at 1 or 2. Not any more. I got used to sleeping with the cannula right away. Because I fall asleep on my stomach, I tie it to the back of my head using a small length of Q-tip stick to insert into the slider so it won’t get loose. Works just fine for me. Helen
Anne Philiben
I didn't have any problem adjusting to 02 at night and was surprised. I am however having problems adjusting to my increased need for 02 with activity.
Sandra Keesee
I use a CPAP and have recently added the O2. I have never slept good, even with CPAP before O2. It’s a rare thing for me to sleep more than 2 hrs most of my life, lol I know that O2 drops when you sleep, I wonder if this has been the issue all my life.
Darlene MacLean
Your heart needs to rest and recover sometimes too! If you go without enough O2 it works overtime to compensate. Don't cause yourself yet another problem by not using enough oxygen.
Marylou ward
I too use oxygen at 2 lpm at night. I sleep much better and have started using it more in the day time. Walking I use4 lpm and sitting I use2 lpm. I breath better so I’m using it more. Quality of life. I’m 75 yo just turned this age.
Sherri Norton
I also use oxygen 24/7. When I go out I have Oxi-View glasses and they are wonderful. The oxygen comes through the frames into canulas at your nose. Hardly noticable. You can get the frames online and then have your optometrist put in prescription lenses if necessary. Highly recommend them.
unknown
How do you sneeze if you're wearing it?
Ron Johnson
I have been using O2 at night for over a year and use a POC on exertion. I have learned two things that might help in keeping the cannula clean. I use an alcohol patch (comes in individual pouches at the pharmacy) to clean the nose tubes every morning and after each use during the day.
A ziplock bag comes in handy to store the nose piece in temporarily to keep it from hitting the floor as so often happens when trying to handle the tube. My mother in law thought of this after her heart surgery.
John Campbell
What are good methods for keeping the cannula in place while sleeping? I often find mine out of the nostrils.
Susan Ashcroft-Simpson
Hi, my mum uses oxygen at 8 lpm 24/7 and has a terrible problem with her nose blocking up, this means she then can’t get enough oxygen. We are using all sorts of sprays and she also uses a nebuliser often to moisten her nose, but these things aren’t great. Does anyone have an advice ? Thank you so much it’s such a difficult illness isn’t it x
Janet Dunn
The one thing that I can say that did help me when I was using the oxygen because it dried me out was to have a humidifier and as soon as my humidifier runs out my head starts hurting so it helps with the moisture and would help probably from the clogging up but I don’t know she may already have one it’s just a suggestion... Jan dunn
nancy fitzsimonds
I wake up & my oxygen has fallen out of my nose.I then use for about an hour while I'm awake.I have tried taping the small hose to the s ide of my face but tht also oes not always work! I have sleep-aptnea.Sorry I cannot spell!,Nancy
Jodi Sprague
I wear oxygen at night at a 2. But I sleep with my mouth open and wake up alit during the night with dry mouth. Does anybody have any suggestions to help me with the dry mouth? I have a glass of water by my bed. Would turning up my oxygen help?
Linda
No, don't turn your oxygen up. it's unsafe for you to be at a higher level than what you need, it can make you dizzy give you headaches and other kinds of problems. Also turning your oxygen up will only make your mouth more dry. my nose was getting very dry and I was using saline spray, but my doctor told me to use Ayr gel spray and that's keeping my nose moist. I don't know what to do about a dry mouth other than drinking water like you said
john griffin
Have you ever tried 'mouth taping'?
Brenda
Biotene brand moisturizer spray for dry mouth works for me.
Raymond Benedict
Hi my name is Ray I am I on oxygen at rest and around the house it is only point seven five millimeter its when I start doing physical things I get more short-winded I checked with my odometer on my finger and it will be 96-97 all day is this good to be that high with COPD or what can I do to bring that down I barely have my oxygen concentrator on the lowest level
Joann L Jacobson
My oxygen dropped into the 60 I have restpirtory failure is it safe to sleep with oxygen? Reply joann
Jill
Yes it is safe to sleep with oxygen. Oxygen dropping to 60 is very low. I too have respiratory failure and pulmonary artery hypertension and use 4 lpm if oxygen 24/7 and bipap with 6 lpm at night
Carol
I have COPD, I was put on overnight oxygen this week as my oximetry readings came in at 61
Pearl
Yes very safe you need to talk to your doctor, your oxygen levels are low at night.
Pearl
Any suggestions I'm a mouth breather find it hard to breath with a cannula at night, do you think a mask would be better and do I need to get it from my pulmonologist?
Bill McQuerry
I don’t quite know what you are talking about level 2 ? I imagine it is the amount of Oxygen that a person needs? My pulmonary Dr says that I should use a tank at night when I am sleeping. They say because my oxygen level at asleep is 88-90 with the gadget on me.
I had a Ablation on my heart for a a fast heart beat which stayed at about 150 until it finally came down to normal. This procedure stopped the fast beat which is wonderful but at night while asleep my pulse goes very low to 36-38 and my Electronic Dr says there is no danger unless I start to get dizzy and he would put in a pacemaker_ I have not been dizzy.
My question is if I start using at night, will I need more or daytime use? I am ok in the day.
Stephen Bichard
I was told to stop using my machine a short while before getting up, as using it sends a message to your brain and it needs a break as you feel funny if you just get up without a break.
Vera Sue Golden
After using the oxygen for the first time last night I woke up short of breath. This does not seem normal to me. Why?
Jan Dunn
Beside the little tubes that go inside my nose I have a clear tube on each side it goes down to my neck and it gets black in there what can I do to clean that out...Thanks for any help ......Jan Dunn
CLARA WARWICK
I have quite recently started to use oxygen 24 7.. it is good to read what other users have to say. I would like to buy a small bag and oxygen cylinder that I could take out with me something like a shoulder bag anybody any ideas
Beauty
Hello how are you? I have a question to ask am using level 2 of oxygen but sometimes l feel my under feet painful and headache..while l am my heartbeat stop few seconds starts again to breath..thank you for your help..
Tracy Morris
Get a CPAP Chin Strap --- I use one and it is great -- after a while -- I seems to have trained my mouth to stay closed --- but every now and again I have to use it again --- especially if I have a cough -- they are comfortable as well -- once you figure out how to put your hair I have very long hair . Hope it helps -- I sleep much better breathing though my nose as well :)
Jan
Take the cannula out when you sneeze.
Hope Berg
I was diagnosed with IPF, last January. I had a hacking
Bothersome cough. My primary issued a script for a
chest x-ray. This, done, it was followed by a
CT scan of the lungs. The diagnosis Was IPF.
I am on oxygen, nightly, a rolling machine,
which I call my R2-D-2, from Star Wars. The oxygen
level is at 2. I do not sleep well with these two little
Tendrils in my nose, all through the night.
I have taken them out a few times, in my sleep. I take
my oxygen level in the morning and it’s usually about
93. I’m also enrolled in the pulmonary exercise class, 2x
Per week, which does help, I’m sure. I also have
my flutter machine to be used 15 mins per day.
I am 84 years old. I have not needed oxygen on a
steady basis, during the day.
I am being very well taken care of by my doctors and
Family. I had another CT scan yesterday. I’ll know
the results when I see my pulmonologist on August 1st.
Bye for now.