Mom's doc says the dependence thing isn't true, but friends of her with presumably the same problem, hear different things from their doctors.
Mom's on the oxygen 24/7 and is hoping to not have to be forever.
Help.
2006-09-18 03:47:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
If she is on it 24/7, sounds like she needs it a lot. What would be the advantage to go off it, if she needs it? It certainly wouldn't be helping her if she couldn't breathe well without it. I don't know about the dependency thing, but my mother had COPD, and it was hard for her to manage without the oxygen. I hope your Mom reconsiders.
2006-09-18 03:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by deonne r 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not true. Some people go on O2 because they've gotten out of the hospital and still aren't 100%, but some may need it continuously, especially during exertion.
Especially with smokers, if your lungs are damaged (COPD) they cannot be restored or repaired.
If your mom is on 24/7 and feels good, you may want to ask the doctor to do an oximetry study which can be done by the people that supplied her with the oxygen; maybe they can even lower it. They also can do an overnight oximetry study if needed as well.
Oxygen won't make you dependent on it; it's usually very necessary. Remember to consult your physician on anything that you do.
2006-09-18 03:59:14 · answer #2 · answered by Ice4444 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no cure for COPD, unfortunately. And it seems that the time has come for your mother to have oxygen 24/7. Your mother's friends are probably not at the same point in their disease as your mother. The oxygen creating more of a dependence is wrong. Just like wearing glasses will make your eyes worse---BS. The oxygen will improve your mother's quality of life, help her sleep, keep red blood counts normal, decrease headaches, and of course--greatly improve her breathing.
2006-09-18 03:59:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a dependency, it's a neccessity. Your moms body is starving for oxygen. COPD interrups the lungs ability to transfer oxygen to the blood. The only way she is going to not need oxygen is to stop the cause of COPD, usually smoking. It's going to be a rough road, and she may need the oxygen for the rest of her life, but if she is smoking, and she stops, some of the symptoms will lessen and she won't need the oxygen as much.
2006-09-18 03:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Chiro 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
COPD is commonly associated with worsening oxygenation of the blood.
Oxygen therapy is generally safe. Toxicity from high concentrations of oxygen is well recognized, but little is known about the long-term effects of low concentrations of supplemental oxygen. Because providing oxygen reduces the death rate of people with advanced COPD, the increased survival and quality of life benefits of long-term oxygen therapy **outweigh the possible risks.**
2006-09-18 03:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her to follow the doctor's oxygen parameters exactly. Too much O2 will kill her. It will trick her brain...and make her stop breathing all together. Not enough will kill her as well.... oh, the consequences of her 'dependancy' to cigarettes.
2006-09-18 04:43:20 · answer #6 · answered by TRISHA P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed that if she's on it that much, she needs it. My grandmother was in a similar position for a while. She tried to get off it a few times, and ended up getting sicker than she was. Eventually she was able to get off of it- but she can't overwork or else she will go right back down hill.
Good luck to your mom!
2006-09-18 04:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but COPD is not something that will be cured or healed over period of time. If your mother wants to be SHORT OF BREATH DOING THE LITTLEST THING ITS HER CHOICE. I guess she enjoys GASPING OR BEING SHORT OF BREATH. She has the choice NOT TO FOLLOW THE DOCTORS ORDERS BUT IF SHE DOES SHES STUPID.
2006-09-18 04:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by rea4154 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋