My mother developed atrial fibrillation which resulted in additional breathlessness despite her oximeter readings showing adequate oxygen levels.  If your O2 readings are ok and the breathlessness is unexplained, prompt evaluation would be a good idea to check for other causes or contributing factors…best wishes!

My mother is using 4 to 8 l/min oxygen flow through a regular nasal cannula.  The hi flow nasal cannulas that the supplier provides have a similar appearance with tubing that is very slightly larger in diameter.  The air that comes out when we use the humidifier bottle is quite cold and my mothers temperature actually drops over the course of… Read more

So my mom’s condition has taken a turn for the worse.  She has had pulmonary fibrosis for a very long time, and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension a few years ago.  She has managed pretty well with the supplemental oxygen, but complained of excessive fatigue and was found to have developed atrial fibrillation.  Her blood pressure has… Read more

That is a very good idea Michael.  I will reach out to them!  Best Regards to you!

Hello Deb,
Thank you for the suggestions.  I will contact her doctor and ask for the referral to hospice to see what they say.  My impression with my mom is that she doesn’t want any outside intervention, but I fear for her comfort.  I think it would be a very good idea to speak with the people at hospice. I’ve heard good things overall… Read more

Hello Hans,  all of the responses have been very helpful.  I also adjust the settings before my mom rises to go to the bathroom.  Even though it is only a few feet away from where she sits during the day, it tires her out greatly and her SPo2 values decline to the upper 70’s or low 80’s and sometimes inexplicably even lower.  I tried to get… Read more

Hello,

I am living with and caring for my mother, who has had IPF for several years, complicated by a very productive cough.  She has been reluctant to increase her oxygen as her needs have been increasing from the 2L/min she was originally prescribed, but I have been increasing it as her breathlessness has increased, while knowing that… Read more

We use a long rubber band and loop it around the tubing first, then around the body of the portable concentrator near the hose attachment to the outlet.  The tubing maintains its loop at the outlet, but heads downwards from there…