Anyone using oxygen at home?

[Samurai_Writer]

I recently had a sleep study done, and it was found that while I do NOT have sleep apnea, because of my genetic lung deficiency (alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency) I need oxygen at night. They delivered the machine 2 days ago. It take ambient air and turns it into 95% pure oxygen. I've been using it the last two nights, and it is so loud I can't sleep. Ugh. Do I have to wear earplugs the rest of my life? Using oxygen at night was supposed to make me feel better during the day, but I am just exhausted from not getting any sleep! Not to mention I'm pretty bummed about the fact that I'm 47 and have to be on oxygen. Makes me feel like I'm an 85 year old woman.

[elleng]

1. RadFemFL,

seems to me there's usually a 'complication' from med 'procedures' usually/often not mentioned by docs!

Sorry to hear about your sleeplessness, and hope you will find solution!

[Warpy]

2. There are a couple of things you can do

First, you can go to your local gimp store and get some extension tubing and a connector. You can then move that machine into another room preferably behind a closed door. That will cut the racket down considerably.

Ear plugs will help, but they can be pretty uncomfortable.

You can also sleep with a source of white noise close to your bed, like a small fan. That will help drown out what noise remains of the concentrator in the next room.

Don't feel old until you have to cart one of those things around with you.

Oh, and please tell me you don't smoke!

[mopinko]

4. white noise machines are cheap these days.

we bought one for one of the kids- alarm clock, radio, noise machine. i think we got it at walgreens, and it was about $30. that was a couple of years ago, already, too.
it has about half dozen sounds- rain, waves, etc.

[Warpy]

5. Yeah, but a fan is ten bucks

and can be aimed to keep you more comfy in the summer.

[mopinko]

6. yeah, said child

doesn't use the machine. he runs the fan 365.

[Roon]

3. I have sleep apnea

but I only have to use a CPAP at night. My Grandmother uses oxygen when her oxygen level drops and when she is exercising. My Mother uses oxygen at night. My Uncle is suppose to be on oxygen after his third heart attack and quintuple bypass, but he refuses to use it. He still smokes. My brother-in-law's Father is on oxygen 24/7.

I quit smoking three years ago and my sleep apnea seems to be much better. I did gain a lot of weight and have recently started living clean again and hope to lose 80lbs by next winter. Then maybe I can ditch the CPAP for good.