usvi-on-line
travel with oxygen
travel with oxygen
Recently I was told that I'd be on oxygen 24/7 the rest of may life. This is the first year due to medical problems that we didn't make it to St. John. Has anyone with the same problem- oxygen- traveled to the islands with oxygen ? Was it hard? were you still able to go to the beach etc . thank you
Really sorry to hear that the O2 is going to be 24/7 for you. It's tough, I know.
I have a daughter with cystic fibrosis who needs oxygen when she flies and who (should) also use it at night.
About six years ago, the new oxygen concentrators came on the market, just about the time she started needing to use oxygen. If you can at all afford it, I would highly recommend buying one. Unfortunately insurance won't cover it. If you don't know, the concentrators produce oxygen from the air so that you're not dependent on filling tanks or carrying anything flammable. All the airlines let you take them onboard, no problem. (We bought the Inogen). It's lightweight and also came with a little rolling cart, which we've actually not used, but it would be definitely handy for 24/7 use.
At the time that we were going through the process of buying the Inogen, a lady with COPD was also buying one through the same medical service we were using. The salesman gave the "intro and overview" of it to both of us at the same time. This lady had a place on St. John and was VERY excited about the Inogen, because she felt it would give her the freedom to travel back and forth between Boston and the islands again.
The oxygen prescription was devastating when we first got it, but fortunately there are ways to live a normal life with it! That includes visiting STJ! Good luck.
I have a daughter with cystic fibrosis who needs oxygen when she flies and who (should) also use it at night.
About six years ago, the new oxygen concentrators came on the market, just about the time she started needing to use oxygen. If you can at all afford it, I would highly recommend buying one. Unfortunately insurance won't cover it. If you don't know, the concentrators produce oxygen from the air so that you're not dependent on filling tanks or carrying anything flammable. All the airlines let you take them onboard, no problem. (We bought the Inogen). It's lightweight and also came with a little rolling cart, which we've actually not used, but it would be definitely handy for 24/7 use.
At the time that we were going through the process of buying the Inogen, a lady with COPD was also buying one through the same medical service we were using. The salesman gave the "intro and overview" of it to both of us at the same time. This lady had a place on St. John and was VERY excited about the Inogen, because she felt it would give her the freedom to travel back and forth between Boston and the islands again.
The oxygen prescription was devastating when we first got it, but fortunately there are ways to live a normal life with it! That includes visiting STJ! Good luck.
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
I have nothing to add but I wanted to comment on the value of this forum and those who contribute. Maryanne, your post really impressed me. I was thinking to myself that here one person posts a very important question seeking answers and within hours another forumite contributes a very valuable and informative response and such a positive response too. Charlie, I'm happy for you that Maryanne was able to provide you with some good, positive news in light of the lifestyle changes now imposed on you.
~Brenda~
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beachplums
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:28 pm
- Location: MA & OH
Thank you Maryanne. Hope your daughter enjoys St. john as much as I do. The way I see it I have to buy abt$4000 a consentrator or rent one and take along an extra battery 2hrs each? and hope I'm close to a person or restaurant etc that will let me recharge. Do you ever need air tanks ? Are they avail on ST. John.
Yhanks again, Charlie
Yhanks again, Charlie
The extra batteries are a good idea, but at the same time I can't imagine that anyone would mind you plugging the machine in when you're at a restaurant, etc.
As for air tanks, no, have not used them because of the Inogen... if I needed to, I would call the Myrah Keating clinic or the public health nurse and start there.
Myrah Keating Smith Community Clinic (340) 776-8900. Public Health Nurse (340) 776-6400
As for air tanks, no, have not used them because of the Inogen... if I needed to, I would call the Myrah Keating clinic or the public health nurse and start there.
Myrah Keating Smith Community Clinic (340) 776-8900. Public Health Nurse (340) 776-6400