RVing with lung disease

[Kay_and_Gene]

I have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Didn't find much info in the thread on medical issues. Was wondering if any folks still camp/travel with similar medical issues. Am on o2 24/7 and tied to a 50foot air line at home and have two o2 tanks that give me about 2 hours each. I Have a large unit that provides constant flow and a unit that charges the tanks when empty.

[mhardin]

The wife is on O2 24/7 and we have no problems traveling. After messing with the tanks for a while, we had an out of town emergency and no place to get the tanks refilled. Fortunately, we also had her home concentrator with us, too. That episode prompted me to purchase a battery powered concentrator that weighed about the same as the small tanks and would run for about 4 hours on a charge. Inogen G-3

Now, we take the home concentrator as a "just in case" and use the battery powered unit 24/7 when on the road. We don't even have any tanks anymore since we have generators and both concentrators can be run by either 120 or 12V. Even the bigger home unit can be run in a vehicle by using an inverter.

[shelbyfv]

I think you are correct to be concerned. Lack of oxygen can hinder your mental capabilities as well as reflexes, etc. Should you be piloting an unwieldy rig down the highway at 65 mph, inches from passing semis? Is your spouse able to get you and your rig home if you have an episode? Can you change a flat? We all wind down eventually and there is something to be said for accepting it with grace. Best of luck, whatever you decide!

[Kay_and_Gene]

Thank you all for the come backs. Was considering getting rid of the travel trailer but now I will reconsider and look into o2 alternatives instead.

[Rocky2]

My wife traveled with a portable concentrator for years. It could do up to 3 liters per minute constant or 6 on pulse. Pulse didn't work for her. I installed solar so we could run the thing 24/7 on battery power and seldom used the generator to keep it charged. Use your oximeter to monitor yourself at altitude and just go with the flow. We were able to do 13 years before she passed.

[eubank]

It depends on your oxygen needs, liters per minute. If it's pretty moderate -- like under 4 or so -- then you may be able to get by on a portable oxygen generator like the Inogen One, whose batteries can be charged by either 120 or 12 volts. If your needs are higher, it gets harder. Our Inogen has a max of 6, and that's with oxygen pulse, not constant flow. And it is somewhat marginal for her at 5000 feet.

As others have pointed out, you always want to carry a backup supply. We carry some extra larger bottles with a regulator just in case. (And, indeed, the Inogen's 120 volt power supply kicked the bucket a couple of weeks ago, and we needed the backup.)

🙂
Lynn

[Shadow_Catcher]

Know of one teardrop trailer owner who powers his oxygen concentrator from solar panels, (some/many) can use 12V.

[profdant139]

I'm assuming you also have a "walk-around" bottle of oxygen, right? We often see folks at RV parks with shoulder harness oxygen bottles, so that they can do chores around the RV (dumping the black and gray water, etc.). Then they switch to a larger bottle on a little two-wheel dolly to take longer walks. I had a conversation a couple of years ago with someone with severe COPD -- he said that RV travel is far easier for him than hotel traveling, since you can have your bedside oxygen system permanently installed and arranged to your liking.

Hang in there, and I sure hope you can make it happen!

[BadgerMcAdams]

About the only thing I could think that might cause a problem is Altitude. Not sure of your O2 needs (Flow rate, etc), but If you are planning on camping at sites that are higher in altitude I would talk to your Doc. Camping at higher elevations can and do put additional stress factors on your body. Better to be safe than sorry.

Big Lake in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona is at 9,000 above sea level. I'm in decent health, and going there lets me know real quick that the air is a bit thinner than down in Phoenix.

But as long as the Doc says you are good to go, get your backside out there and enjoy life!

[Nvr2loud]

Planning is key, ensure you have a generator and fuel capable of running your O2 generator if power is out at the campsite. I would also keep a couple spare portable tanks (enough to travel out of the campground in an emergency)

[Johno02]

I have known several RVs that required oxygen all the time. One required a portable tank when away from their Motor Home, and had a machine and air line that he stayed attached to when in or close to his coach. So it can be done.

[Lwiddis]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this health issue but all of us older RVers have one or more health issues. You can make it work with planning! When I pass let it be at a campfire near my RV at a Forest Service campground.