The practicalities of living with oxygen: A perspective from a person living with COPD

Abstract

Although I welcomed oxygen into my life, it required a degree of adjustment and perseverance. The concentrator told all visitors that this was the home of a "patient", and using ambulatory oxygen in public takes a lot of getting used to. Safe use of oxygen entailed some changes in routine activities, and travel needs to be planned ahead to ensure that I don't run out of oxygen. Despite its drawbacks, oxygen has enabled me to have a full and active life once again.