Now doomed to a life without travel?
March 5, 2017 2:33 PM Subscribe
My mother requires oxygen at night while she sleeps. She lives in the DC area, I live in Orange County, CA and we would like to find a way that she can visit me, as well as attend her granddaughter's graduation in June.
Her preference is to have O2 delivered to my home in advance of her arrival. Another option she has investigated is renting or purchasing a small, purse sized O2 condenser that she can carry with her on the plane. From what she's found, the batteries on the smaller condensers won't last all night and won't work if they are plugged in. So far, the only option we've found is for her to rent a heavy O2 condenser on wheels that is the size of carry on luggage which has to be stored in the overhead compartment. The problem there is that it is far too heavy and cumbersome for her to handle on her own. It's out of the question.
She has asked her doctor and he doesn't know how to help. She's called her O2 supplier and they don't know how to help. She's tried calling her insurance company and they were the least amount of help out of everyone. She's been hitting road blocks of one form or another regarding this problem for months and months.
I know that people on dialysis can travel to many places around the world now. It seems to me that people who need O2 should be able to travel, too. Has anyone out there had to deal with this before? I will be grateful for any suggestions you may have. Thanks!
Her preference is to have O2 delivered to my home in advance of her arrival. Another option she has investigated is renting or purchasing a small, purse sized O2 condenser that she can carry with her on the plane. From what she's found, the batteries on the smaller condensers won't last all night and won't work if they are plugged in. So far, the only option we've found is for her to rent a heavy O2 condenser on wheels that is the size of carry on luggage which has to be stored in the overhead compartment. The problem there is that it is far too heavy and cumbersome for her to handle on her own. It's out of the question.
She has asked her doctor and he doesn't know how to help. She's called her O2 supplier and they don't know how to help. She's tried calling her insurance company and they were the least amount of help out of everyone. She's been hitting road blocks of one form or another regarding this problem for months and months.
I know that people on dialysis can travel to many places around the world now. It seems to me that people who need O2 should be able to travel, too. Has anyone out there had to deal with this before? I will be grateful for any suggestions you may have. Thanks!
My dad traveled in this condition. Small battery powered condenser for the plane. Rental O2 tanks at his destination.
posted by gnutron at 2:43 PM on March 5, 2017
posted by gnutron at 2:43 PM on March 5, 2017
Best answer: The equipment dealer is wrong. There are absolutely portable O2 concentrators that have both long life batteries and can operate while plugged into the wall (and charging at the same time). Just for example the Inogen System is approved for use on aircraft (where your mom may also require oxygen, due to lower partial pressures of oxygen at altitude) and works off a wall plug in.
There are a number of similar systems, and some have batteries with a life of 8+ hrs. One factor that may come into play is how high her litre flow requirement is. Higher flow requirements may have less options.
You need to talk to a supplier directly, or possibly ask a Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital for a more helpful referral.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 2:50 PM on March 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
There are a number of similar systems, and some have batteries with a life of 8+ hrs. One factor that may come into play is how high her litre flow requirement is. Higher flow requirements may have less options.
You need to talk to a supplier directly, or possibly ask a Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital for a more helpful referral.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 2:50 PM on March 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Response by poster: Her insurance company is saying they won't cover any of it.
Since it is my mother's insurance, I hadn't tried calling from my end of things, so I'll try that first thing in the morning.
posted by Sunnyshe at 2:51 PM on March 5, 2017
Since it is my mother's insurance, I hadn't tried calling from my end of things, so I'll try that first thing in the morning.
posted by Sunnyshe at 2:51 PM on March 5, 2017
Best answer: My mother is on oxygen at night but we haven't had to deal with travel. From little I know:
- You should talk to her doctor about airplane travel - there is a good chance that she will need O2 on the plane even though she doesn't usually use it during day.
- The people that do wheelchair/disability services at the airport can help her if she ends up with equipment that is too cumbersome for to handle on her own.
- insurance won't pay twice for the same thing so if she has a concentrator at home, they be objecting to pay for another one at your house while she is traveling. However, when we thought my mother would need daytime oxygen, the social worker was going to arrange for the doctor write a separate prescription for a purse-sized concentrator for her - so she may just need new orders from her doctor
- renting a concentrator, even without insurance does not appear to be expensive - the first site I found was quoting prices for a travel rental of less than $200 per week depending on what you need. So even if she has to pay to get a concentrator at your house, it might not be too bad.
posted by metahawk at 3:05 PM on March 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
- You should talk to her doctor about airplane travel - there is a good chance that she will need O2 on the plane even though she doesn't usually use it during day.
- The people that do wheelchair/disability services at the airport can help her if she ends up with equipment that is too cumbersome for to handle on her own.
- insurance won't pay twice for the same thing so if she has a concentrator at home, they be objecting to pay for another one at your house while she is traveling. However, when we thought my mother would need daytime oxygen, the social worker was going to arrange for the doctor write a separate prescription for a purse-sized concentrator for her - so she may just need new orders from her doctor
- renting a concentrator, even without insurance does not appear to be expensive - the first site I found was quoting prices for a travel rental of less than $200 per week depending on what you need. So even if she has to pay to get a concentrator at your house, it might not be too bad.
posted by metahawk at 3:05 PM on March 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think it is likely to be oop- travel not for medical purposes is not something medical insurance generally feels the need to cover.
posted by pearshaped at 5:20 PM on March 5, 2017
posted by pearshaped at 5:20 PM on March 5, 2017
Could she take the train instead of flying? It's about 3 days to cross the country on Amtrak but she could get a roomette (a small sleeping compartment) and there would be enough space for the O2 condenser on wheels. She would probably have to change trains in Chicago, so you could call Amtrak and see if anybody would be able to help her with this at the station. (They seem pretty accommodating, in most cases.)
posted by Quietgal at 5:21 PM on March 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Quietgal at 5:21 PM on March 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Amtrak is definitely an option, if the cost isn't an impediment. Amtrak is very good at enabling travel for people with challenges such as this. Sleeper accommodations typically include an outlet in the room, and an attendant in each car whose major function is to make the trip more enjoyable by helping you navigate the challenges. Amtrak redcap service at the stations can provide transportation from the station to the train, and they'll happily work with the car attendant to make the transfer smooth and painless.
DC to LA would probably be the Capitol Limited from DC to Chicago, an overnight train, and then the Southwest Chief from Chicago to LA, a two night trip. Amtrak ticket prices vary widely, but it's probably on the order of a thousand dollars one way. It is expensive, but it is a pleasant way to travel. I'm an infrequent passenger on the Cap Ltd and have been on the Southwest Chief as well. It goes through some beautiful territory (assuming you think the southwest US is beautiful).
Costwise, it is probably better just to pay to rent something out of pocket and then fly, but if you like relaxing travel and some opportunity for social interaction and seeing the US up close, Amtrak's hard to beat.
posted by jgreco at 5:58 PM on March 5, 2017
DC to LA would probably be the Capitol Limited from DC to Chicago, an overnight train, and then the Southwest Chief from Chicago to LA, a two night trip. Amtrak ticket prices vary widely, but it's probably on the order of a thousand dollars one way. It is expensive, but it is a pleasant way to travel. I'm an infrequent passenger on the Cap Ltd and have been on the Southwest Chief as well. It goes through some beautiful territory (assuming you think the southwest US is beautiful).
Costwise, it is probably better just to pay to rent something out of pocket and then fly, but if you like relaxing travel and some opportunity for social interaction and seeing the US up close, Amtrak's hard to beat.
posted by jgreco at 5:58 PM on March 5, 2017
If she only uses oxygen at night then go to a medical supply company locally and pick up a tank of oxygen. Your mom can bring her regulator and cannula.
posted by pintapicasso at 8:59 PM on March 5, 2017
posted by pintapicasso at 8:59 PM on March 5, 2017
Best answer: Please don't send your mother on Amtrak. The part on the train is likely to be okay, except for the train rocking unpredictably as she tries to shower and how they often start to run out of meals as they approach the end of the line (and the train gets later and later because freight trains take precedence and then the lateness also leads to staffing + supply problems). The transfer is likely to be many hours between trains (which you need, because longer runs chronically end up hours late). During those hours, she will probably be able to put the condenser in a luggage room, but she will be stuck trying to amuse herself in/around a hectic, uncomfortable terminal where she has to walk a long way to get anywhere. Or taking a cab to a hotel for $$$.
I enjoy riding Amtrak! Being rocked to sleep in a roomette is lovely and the scenery is great and the staff take good care of folks with rooms. But it doesn't sound like a good choice here.
posted by momus_window at 9:21 PM on March 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I enjoy riding Amtrak! Being rocked to sleep in a roomette is lovely and the scenery is great and the staff take good care of folks with rooms. But it doesn't sound like a good choice here.
posted by momus_window at 9:21 PM on March 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd complain about how boring the menu on Amtrak is before I'd complain about running out of certain menu options, which does happen sometimes. The small number of menu options and only slight variations between menus on different routes is definitely a thing worth complaining about.
Sleeping car passengers have access to the Acela Lounge in Washington DC, and also the Met Lounge in Chicago, which is a great place to wait. The Met Lounge in Chicago used to be a bit of a quaint little hole in the wall that was a little dark but with a wide selection of comfy furniture. It was recently remodeled into a double level, twice-the-size modern affair that's bright and pleasant but lacks a bit of the weird charm of the old one. In addition, they've also added the Chicago Legacy Club, where you can pay a small premium for priority boarding and you also gain access to a new Club waiting area, which is apparently fairly nice as well, which is a good option if you're riding coach instead of sleeper.
Chicago is absolutely a hectic, uncomfortable station. It's a lot smaller than New York Penn, and while commuter traffic especially in the morning and evening is definitely a problem, most of the commuters know exactly where they're going, and you don't get all the foot traffic going all the way through the maze of corridors of a massive station. The feeling is much more one of orderly chaos, people hurrying to the escalator and then out the door. Outside of rush hour, it is only modestly busy.
The Cap Ltd does arrive in Chicago during the morning rush hour, but if you wait and ask for red cap assistance, they'll take you right through all that and drop you at the Met Lounge. The Met Lounge will be happy to hold your luggage in a secured holding area, which is very freeing if you then want to explore a bit.
Chicago Union Station is right on the river, and exiting up the Jackson Street exit will put you right on the river. If you then cross the bridge and walk half a block, the Sears-now-Willis Tower is right there, and you can pay to visit its Skydeck viewing platform. There are potentially a lot of other things to do in the immediate area. Within a half mile walk is LaSalle Street, the heart of Chicago's financial district, with the CBOT building at the end. If walking isn't an option, getting a taxi at Union Station and taking a little trip to Navy Pier for lunch is a good way to see a bunch of landmarks, especially if you ask to get there by way of Museum Campus and Buckingham Fountain. A return taxi trip to Union Station by way of the Magnificent Mile gets you a bunch more landmarks.
So overall, I'd have to disagree with the previous comment. It may not be ideal, but almost nothing ever is, and you can choose to take a suboptimal thing like a Chicago layover and turn it into opportunity instead.
posted by jgreco at 2:40 AM on March 6, 2017
Sleeping car passengers have access to the Acela Lounge in Washington DC, and also the Met Lounge in Chicago, which is a great place to wait. The Met Lounge in Chicago used to be a bit of a quaint little hole in the wall that was a little dark but with a wide selection of comfy furniture. It was recently remodeled into a double level, twice-the-size modern affair that's bright and pleasant but lacks a bit of the weird charm of the old one. In addition, they've also added the Chicago Legacy Club, where you can pay a small premium for priority boarding and you also gain access to a new Club waiting area, which is apparently fairly nice as well, which is a good option if you're riding coach instead of sleeper.
Chicago is absolutely a hectic, uncomfortable station. It's a lot smaller than New York Penn, and while commuter traffic especially in the morning and evening is definitely a problem, most of the commuters know exactly where they're going, and you don't get all the foot traffic going all the way through the maze of corridors of a massive station. The feeling is much more one of orderly chaos, people hurrying to the escalator and then out the door. Outside of rush hour, it is only modestly busy.
The Cap Ltd does arrive in Chicago during the morning rush hour, but if you wait and ask for red cap assistance, they'll take you right through all that and drop you at the Met Lounge. The Met Lounge will be happy to hold your luggage in a secured holding area, which is very freeing if you then want to explore a bit.
Chicago Union Station is right on the river, and exiting up the Jackson Street exit will put you right on the river. If you then cross the bridge and walk half a block, the Sears-now-Willis Tower is right there, and you can pay to visit its Skydeck viewing platform. There are potentially a lot of other things to do in the immediate area. Within a half mile walk is LaSalle Street, the heart of Chicago's financial district, with the CBOT building at the end. If walking isn't an option, getting a taxi at Union Station and taking a little trip to Navy Pier for lunch is a good way to see a bunch of landmarks, especially if you ask to get there by way of Museum Campus and Buckingham Fountain. A return taxi trip to Union Station by way of the Magnificent Mile gets you a bunch more landmarks.
So overall, I'd have to disagree with the previous comment. It may not be ideal, but almost nothing ever is, and you can choose to take a suboptimal thing like a Chicago layover and turn it into opportunity instead.
posted by jgreco at 2:40 AM on March 6, 2017
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posted by Lyn Never at 2:41 PM on March 5, 2017