Do I need ambulatory oxygen?

Some people’s oxygen levels are good when they are sitting and resting but drop when they are exerting themselves. If the drop in oxygen level is significant, it will affect your ability to exercise or exert yourself and over a long period of time may affect your heart.

Your physiotherapist will assess what happens to your oxygen levels when you exercise, if they find you require ambulatory oxygen, it will be ordered for you and the oxygen supply company will contact you and deliver it to your home.

How does it work?

Ambulatory oxygen works by giving your muscles extra oxygen while you are active. This allows you to do more before you need to stop.

Oxygen will not stop you being breathless. It helps your body to work more efficiently and enables you to do more before you need to rest.

You will not feel a ‘need’ to use it, but you should use it whenever you are active.

Oxygen devices

You will use either a small cylinder or a liquid oxygen flask.

The oxygen supply company provide a bag for you to carry the oxygen in. If you have difficulty carrying the cylinder you could consider using a trolley or walking frame.

You will be taught how to use the devices by the oxygen delivery company and your respiratory practitioner can continue to support you with advice on usage during walking and everyday activities.

You will be asked to sign an oxygen consent form, which is an agreement to share information with the oxygen supply company, the fire service, your electricity company and the team ordering the oxygen.

Using ambulatory oxygen during pulmonary rehabilitation

Some people feel reluctant to use oxygen, particularly if they do not feel bad when exerting themselves. By giving you ambulatory oxygen during pulmonary rehabilitation, you should be able to exercise to a higher level. This will give you better results, without putting additional strain on your heart.

Will I need ambulatory oxygen long-term?

You will be assessed to see whether you still need the ambulatory oxygen throughout your episode of care. Most people, once started, do require ambulatory oxygen long-term. If you do improve, your respiratory practitioner will contact the oxygen company and ask them to remove the oxygen.

If your assessment shows you do still need the oxygen, your respiratory practitioner will discuss this with you and together you can make the decision whether to continue or not.

If you continue, this will be reviewed every six months in the ambulatory oxygen clinic. If you no longer want to continue, your respiratory practitioner will arrange for the oxygen to be removed.

If you do not use the oxygen frequently or do not use it as you have been advised, your respiratory practitioner will arrange for it to be removed.

Is oxygen dangerous or addictive?

There is no evidence to suggest that oxygen is addictive.

You must only use your oxygen when you are on the go. You may also continue to use your oxygen for up to 10 minutes after your activity, to allow yourself to recover.

You must not use oxygen when you are resting or sitting for long periods unless you have long-term oxygen therapy, use a concentrator, have had a blood test and have been told to do so by your healthcare professional.

Using your oxygen while you rest – unless advised – could be harmful and result in having too much which can be dangerous for people with lung problems. It could also be dangerous to use your oxygen at a higher level than you have been advised. Do not turn your oxygen up to a higher setting unless you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional.

Oxygen is not in itself flammable, but can feed a fire. You must not use your oxygen near any naked flames or sources of ignition. Be careful with hand and face creams as they can be flammable. Only use water-based creams.

When should I use my oxygen?

Use it whenever you are active or on the go. There is no value in putting it on after the activity as your muscles need the extra oxygen while you are doing the task. Your respiratory practitioner will ask you to complete a small diary to show how you are using the oxygen at home.