Oxygen and Asthma

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Mikey - 12 Apr 2005 01:13 GMT

My doctor gave me an RX for oxygen due to my asthma to be used as
needed in case of a severe attack and also to be used as a portable
nebulizer instead of an expensive portable compressor. My insurance
covers the oxygen equipment so that works out fine. I was just
wondering if it is safe to leave the small tank (D size) in my car when
I go out shopping etc. in the summer heat. I always bring it back in
the house with me when I return home, but when I go out, I don't want
to carry it with me everywhere. Will the heat cause any problems? Is
it dangerous to leave it in the trunk or should I put it somewhere
else?

Thank for any info,
Mikey

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nonerequired - 12 Apr 2005 01:34 GMT

Not dangerous directly but there are some potential concerns. All compressed gas
cylinders have a thing called a burst disk. This is designed to "pop" out should
pressure get too high to prevent a tank explosion, which WOULD be a catastrophic
problem, like kill you and anyone near the car. Increased temperature causes
increased pressure making it more likely to cause the burst disk to release. The
potential is small but it makes a heck of a lot of startling noise if it does
which has the potential for causing a traffic accident if driving.

It would have to be a full tank and pretty hot in a closed car for a long time
to happen so the probability is low.

FWIW, if your asthma attacks are that bad that you need O2 and you don't have
other underlying problems (COPD), then your asthma is possibly not under very
good control. O2 will squeak you by until the medics arrive and intubate you if
you are that bad. If you aren't that bad then the O2 is unnecessary and it's a
poor answer to a nebulizer problem.

Fritz Merkel
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-WA Branch
http://www.aafawa.org/

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Mikey - 12 Apr 2005 04:22 GMT

Thanks for the reply. I will probably only keep a 2/3 or 1/2 full tank
in the car knowing this. My asthma is very bad, but I also have
interstitial lung disease and when I have an asthma attack my sats drop
very low. The doctor that prescribed the o2 is a pulmonologist, so I
assume he knows what he is doing. My GP didn't seem to have an opinion
either way. My insurance wont cover a portable nebulizer.

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nonerequired - 12 Apr 2005 05:25 GMT

That's why I asked if there was an underlying lung problem. O2 is entirely
appropriate for such a situation. In "pure" asthma the sats don't customarily
drop until the person is getting very bad indeed.

Like I said, unless it's a full tank, dark colored car, and very hot the problem
is remote. It's just damn loud and scary if it happens. It's most likely to
happen in a parked car since it would be unbearable to drive a car that hot,
like when you first get in one thats been parked in the hot sun for several
hours. To that end it's better to keep it in the passenger compartment where
it's cooler than in an enclosed trunk that's likely to get hotter. You can also
crack the windows while parked to keep it a bit cooler, not so in the trunk.

Fritz

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cloud - 12 Apr 2005 13:26 GMT

Hey Mikey,
I have a question or two or three... . If the doc gives you a small tank to
use, just in case it is needed, why leave it in a hot car while you are
shopping? What if you do indeed need it? Isn't it wizer to take it with
you which was the purpose of giving it to you in the first place?
I only use oxygen at night and have one of them big ol' clunkers that makes
the oxygen. I was also given a tank in case of power failure, which i
probably won't ever use.
I am suppose to lug this big ol' oxygen maker wherever i go as it is on
wheels, so if I go on vacation, mister o2 comes with me. Great hey? NOT!!
Didn't they give you a carrying case for the little o2 tank? They do have
them and all that would be needed is to sling it over the shoulder when you
go shopping. Not a very big deal and is really not that cumberson. Just
ask good ol' Scott Peterson's Mom as she was toting one along and no one
ever gave it a notice. They gave her nose apparatus a notice but otherwise,
did anyone ever see her tank?
Maybe should ask the respitory people who supplied you with the tank and
then maybe the pulmonologist can write you out a new script for one. Maybe
this would help.
I would think if the insurance covers the oxygen then it most certainly
would and should cover a portable nebulizer, but do you carry your rescue
inhaler with you??? A spacer may help also. Do you use a spacer? Dang
insurance companies certainly put us in a pickle at times, don't they?!
Always,
..? ???)) -:?:-
?.?? .????))
((??.?? ..?? cloud -:?:-
-:?:- ((??.??*

> My doctor gave me an RX for oxygen due to my asthma to be used as
> needed in case of a severe attack and also to be used as a portable
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thank for any info,
> Mikey

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Kendal Emery - 12 Apr 2005 15:43 GMT

>Dang insurance companies certainly put us in a pickle at times, don't

they?!

I have to laugh sometimes at my insurance, and what happens at Walgreens. I
can get albuterol for the nebulizer as often and as much as I want, up to
three boxes. However, the inhaler, which I carry with me for emergencies, I
can only get once a month. And if it is three weeks, they tell me that it
is too soon, and that the insurance is not going to pay for it. Now the
nebulizers are important, but I don't carry them with me. The inhaler is my
lifeline when I get bad, and it goes with me wherever I go. Seems odd to me
that I have more trouble getting the inhaler than the nebulizer treatments.

Signature

Kendal Emery
MCNGP #19
Now living in the great state of Colorado
Permament resident of the State of Confusion

> inhaler with you??? A spacer may help also. Do you use a spacer?
> Always,
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > Thank for any info,
> > Mikey

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cloud - 13 Apr 2005 02:48 GMT

if you find yourself running low on the rescue inhaler, might want to speak
to your doctor about it so you will have an ample supply when needed. And
yes, you are correct about the pharmaceuticals and pharmacies. They
certainly make no sense to me. Especially when a person needs a script for
a spacer. What the heck is a person going to do to abuse a spacer?
Sometimes I just don't git it, and figure I ain't suppose to for good cause.
Ha!!
Always,
..? ???)) -:?:-
?.?? .????))
((??.?? ..?? cloud -:?:-
-:?:- ((??.??*

> I have to laugh sometimes at my insurance, and what happens at Walgreens.
> I
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>> > Thank for any info,
>> > Mikey

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SJF - 23 Apr 2005 22:56 GMT

> if you find yourself running low on the rescue inhaler, might want to speak
> to your doctor about it so you will have an ample supply when needed. And
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:-
> -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

I can see the need for script to show medical necessity if insurance will
pay the bill. As you say, it makes no sense if you are the payer. ---
SJF

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jackmallory@webtv.net - 22 Apr 2005 16:32 GMT

I use a B tank. It's about eleven inches long and weighs maybe seven or
eight pounds. My supplier furnishes a bag and I sling it over my
shoulder. The A tank is smaller.

Small children always notice there is something going in and out of your
nose. They're not ashamed to stare.

If your O2 exploded under any but the most extreem and uncommon
conditions the manufacturer would be liable. Because of this the tank
is constructed to be very strong indeed. No one likes to go to court.
(Except maybe lawyers)

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