Judg69, your comments regarding pulsed dose for POCs is correct, but not correct if you're using tanks or LOX on pulse dose. Those are not limited by the size of the sieve beds, which is the limiting factor for the POCs, so if you are using tanks or LOX portable delivery systems in pulse dose, those numbers do pretty closely equate to LPMs. It's the size of the bolus, and in those portable systems the bolus can be much larger and usually is.

I use pulse dose all the time, for LOX, tanks or my POC. I simply breathe normally and the unit responds. Every once in a while there might be a skip, but 99% of the time, it breathes right with me. In fact, I don't like continuous because I don't get that "hit".

You really shouldn't have to make any special effort to trigger the pulse dose; if you do, then I would ask to try a different conserving unit. The advantage of the pulse dose is that the tanks or Lox devices last a lot longer than they do on continuous. On continuous, you're wasting all the O2 when you're not inhaling. If pulse is really uncomfortable for you, use continuous.

Just FYI, it will be very surprising to find a doc who actually understands how a POC works. Most of them think O2 comes out of the walls in hospitals and have no idea how a home delivery unit works. Some RTs do understand, but not all, so be aware that you really have to find someone who DOES know how they work in order to get decent advice.

First, please realize that the numbers on pulsed oxygen units are just numbers on a sliding scale, they are NOT lpm and do NOT equate to the lpm numbers on a continuous flow unit. Pulsed oxygen is the reason portable pulsed units can be smaller in size. I am on oxygen 24/7 at 2 to 4 lpm. When I am inside I typically have my home continuous flow concentrator on 2 to 2.5 lpm. When I go out I have my pursed oxygen concentrator ( Simply Go Mini ) set on 3 , occasionally 4 . Please note that I comfortably walk a mile a day with my pulsed unit at 3. If your oxygen prescription is similar to mine at 2 to 4 lpm, then it is possible you are overbreathing or breathing too rapidly. Pulsed oxygen units will provide an oxygen pulse when you breathe in, no need to try to figure anything out. All I can suggest is to try pursed lips breathing the next time you use your portable unit, and slow down the pace of whatever you are doing. Hopefully the above will be of benefit to you. You should double check your prescription with your Dr and discuss the use of a pulsed oxygen unit with him or a respiratory therapist. All the best wishes, judg69

I had to get a larger cannula with the pulse and now have no problems with pulse flow! Also, there are some that flare for the two parts that go into your nose.

Brother, you need to use your oximeter to know whether turning your O2 up will do any good. If your O2 sats are below 88 to 90, then turning it up will help. If your sats are good, then turning the O2 up won't help at all, and may do you harm. Get yourself a good oximeter and use it. You also need to learn to breathe properly and use pursed lip breathing. That helps by blowing off the CO2 and will help you be less sob.

Jean is correct in that my comments speak to pulsed oxygen poc units . Also happen to agree that most Dr's and many RT's are not knowledgeable at all when it comes to portable oxygen concentrators. It is important that you breathe normally.