Oxygen at home, is this possible?

[MuGGGhoulWump]

I'm really struggling with my asthma.
I'm on steroids since Wednesday, but seem to be getting worse.
I am about to call and request a visit from GP but I know the next step is hospital, and I'm terrified of it and I have no one at all to have DD, she'll have to go into care.
We packed bags last night incase of needing to call 999.
I'm ok just sitting, but can't manage much else.
Can they give me oxygen at home?

Oh bless that sounds scary, you can have home o2 but this is normally for people with chronic breathing problems and it sounds like you are having an immediate problem. Def speak to your gp, hope you feel better soon. Have you got a nebuliser at home?

No, because when you have acute asthma you need more than just oxygen.

I'm sorry you're so poorly; a spell in hospital is awful but hopefully they'll get you back on track and arrange a review with a respiratory specialist to review your therapy.

I have a nebuliser.

Sidge, I was hospitalised with it earlier in the year, well pneumonia but it was my asthma that caused the problems.
Until I went to High Dependency, and then Intensive Care they didn't do anything other than give me oxygen and nebulisers, except when they forgot.
I really don't want to go back there, and particularly because of DD.

GP is sending someone out.

yes you can have oxygen at home but my only experience of this is with cancer, therefore very ill and not getting better iyswim.

I hope they can sort something out for you at home x

Riven I have no one for DD.
My Uncle took her last time but called me everyday complaining about it, and then when I came home told me he'd never have her again in case 'people talk'

Gosh that's crap muggle, I mean nebs and oxygen is a main part of asthma management but they should have reviewed you in Resp Clinic esp if you had been to ICU!!

You should have regular nebs, steroids, inhalers, oxygen and then a thorough review.

Get well soon.

Sorry Sidge, my post was misleading.
I did/do have inhalers and other meds (singulair), what I meant was other than oxygen, they didn't give me anything other than what I already have at home.

I've just spoken to GP.
He can't come today, but can get someone else up, or I can go in and see him.
I've chosen to go in as he knows my case best.

He's also promised another hospital if I need it, as I'm terrified of the last one. My nearest one won't take me as I'm considered too serious a case and they don't have the facilities.

Pixie, no one else can take her, it has to be SS.

She's in tears, I'm in tears and terrified.

Where do you live ? is there a Mnetter that could help you out ?

Ah gotcha, hope your GP can get you sorted.

Where are you? Can we help?

I'm just back, had to wait ages.
He says I'm borderline, if I agree to be admitted now I can choose not to go to the awful hospital, if I end up calling 999 it'll be the hospital I'm scared of.
I don't want to go in so I'm chancing staying at home.

I'm all packed and ready to go if needed.

He's given me amoxycillin, though there's no sign of infection and mucodyne, and I'm due back at 10am on Monday.
I'm already taking prednisolone, singulair, seretide, becotide and have ventolin and saline in my nebuliser 4 times a day.
I asked about the oxygen but he says no as it needs to be supervised.
They only give it out for home use for terminal lung conditions.

My FIl wanted oxygen at home, he was in earlish stages of emphasyma. NHS would not help, so he went privately.

He had oxygen tanks delivered and collected every week.

Don't know if this is possible for you, quite expensive I think.

Muggle awful to have to struggle on because you can't leave your child, or because the choice of hospital is that bad. I hope the ABs work, along with the other meds - but whereabouts are you? I know if you were in my area, I'd be happy to help out in any way I could - and am sure other MNers will feel the same.

I'm betting you'd do the same.

How old is your dd?

Doubtful Lynli, I'm broke!
NHS here wouldn't give me a nebuliser, I bought it.

I'm nearish Glasgow Riven, but really there's not much anyone can do. DD is 9 so doesn't need looking after while I'm here, so long as I can stay at home we'll be OK.

Ah. Nowhere near me, then. Here's wishing you better very fast, and no need for 999s xx

Hope you feel better soon MuGGG

I was wondering the same thing about home oxygen for asthma for dd1.

She is 4 and has been hospitalised several times a year with asthma.

They always give her nebulisers and oxygen every few hours.

We have a nebuliser but it is the oxygen that seems to work wonders when you are really struggling.

Right, I've just got off the phone with my boss (also a really close friend) She says should anything happen over the weekend she'll take DD, even if it's the middle of the night.
She's coming up tomorrow and will get anything I need.

If I'm still at home on Monday, I'm going to call SS and see what would happen to DD if I need to be admitted.

That might put my mind at rest so I can be admitted not as an emergency, and then I won't have to go back to the Hospital I'm frightened of.

If DD is with a foster family, my boss will still visit her and bring her to see me.

She'll also look after my house/pets/finances as she did last time, and of course I don't have to worry about work at all.

You poor thing

You MUST call for an ambulance if you get worse. Your dd will cope with a brief temporary foster placement. What she needs more than anything is you fit and well. Make sure you are close to a phone and that she knows how to ring 999 for you if needed.

DD knows how to call an ambulance, and knows all our details and what is wrong with me.
I've also written down boss' number for her to call.
Phone stays with us and she is sleeping in my room, she also knows how to work my nebuliser if she needs to.

I feel so bad for her, I tried to get in touch with a young carer's place after the last time, but had no joy.
She's not my carer as such, but I thought she may be able to talk to other kids who have parents who are/have been seriously ill.

The GP said today I have brittle asthma and it's not going away in a hurry

Yes it is. She won't be able to have her long term (last stay was 12 days) but at least DD won't have to come to hospital with me and then be taken away by a stranger which would be awful.

I'm hoping all the drugs will work and I'll be laughing again by Monday!

x posted - good to see your boss can help with dd. I know someone who had to have their ds looked after by a temporary forster parent when she was hospitalised awaiting the birth of her child and there was nobody around to help. It wasn't easy but it was much the best thing for all of them. Her ds was well looked after by a caring and understanding person who took him to school and bought him in to see her. Also took him to the circus!
What's important is that you get well and your dd is safe.