Is using e-cigs if you are on oxygen okay? I'm asking for my Mom.

[gigipark]

I just started using e-cigs recently and it's been great. I am trying to convince my mother to use them. She tried one of mine and she liked it. BUT, she's been a HEAVY smoker for over 50 years and has emphysema. She also had head and neck cancer (she's 5 years out of treatment and okay) of undetermined origin that they are pretty sure was caused by her smoking. Her emphysema has gotten so bad they may be putting her on oxygen. I know she should just quit altogether, but I honestly don't think she can. So, I thought e-cigarettes would at least be a better alternative. However, I don't want to get her all excited about them if it turns out she can't use them safely if she's on oxygen at home. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any help and advice you can offer.

 

[keelalagirl55]

Talk to her pulmonologist.....(sp)...there are so many different factors there in what you have just described....I'd be worried if you took anyone's advice before talking to the professional. I have not seen any negative reactions from posts here from pulmonary docs....seems to only be some Primary Physicians.....

 

[swedishfish]

I just started using e-cigs recently and it's been great. I am trying to convince my mother to use them. She tried one of mine and she liked it. BUT, she's been a HEAVY smoker for over 50 years and has emphysema. She also had head and neck cancer (she's 5 years out of treatment and okay) of undetermined origin that they are pretty sure was caused by her smoking. Her emphysema has gotten so bad they may be putting her on oxygen. I know she should just quit altogether, but I honestly don't think she can. So, I thought e-cigarettes would at least be a better alternative. However, I don't want to get her all excited about them if it turns out she can't use them safely if she's on oxygen at home. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any help and advice you can offer.

My mom is in a similiar situation (without the cancer) with COPD. She was never going to quit- and she's vaping and loving it. I spoke with her doctor and he's all in favor of it.

She said her breathing has improved. I don't know if it actually has or she just feels like it has but whatever! She feels great because I think she feels more positive about herself.

Best of luck to your mom!

 

[swedishfish]

And lets face it, if she smoked and used oxygen she'd blow the house up. So it is safer.

One more thing to add, my mom hasn't used her oxygen since she started vaping. She was on an as needed situation with the oxygen and feels like she doesn't need it.

 

[keelalagirl55]

My mom is in a similiar situation (without the cancer) with COPD

I have seen several ECF members state they have COPD and that they feel better with the pv and one I believe has cut his meds down, so your mom may very well be breathing much better..... I don't foresee an issue, but I would (like you did) check with the doc first...as for it interfering with the O2 tank....highly doubtful.....

 

[swedishfish]

As the doctor told my mother quitting is ideal. But if you can't, it's better than smoking. He said (as we all know but I was shocked to hear a doctor say it) that his objection isn't with the nicotine, it's with the other chemicals. He puts the ecig in the same catagory as patches and gum and he's fine with it.

 

[keelalagirl55]

And lets face it, if she smoked and used oxygen she'd blow the house up. So it is safer.

lol...that is very true....if she is not gonna quit smoking, then yep.....I always hated seeing people on O2 smoke.....it just broke my heart......

As the doctor told my mother quitting is ideal. But if you can't, it's better than smoking. He said (as we all know but I was shocked to hear a doctor say it) that his objection isn't with the nicotine, it's with the other chemicals. He puts the ecig in the same catagory as patches and gum and he's fine with it.

That is what gets me with some of these docs out there......they obviously have not kept up with their studies (which they are supposed to do)..when they go totally bashing the nicotine....there are health benefits to it.....I have no intention of giving up my nic....I have a grandmother bedridden with Alzheimer and another that is getting worse by the day with paranoid dementia......I'll keep my nic thank you.....

 

[Plantgirl]

I too have head and throat cancer and was told by my Oncologist that he was fine with Ecigs.

 

[gigipark]

Thank you for the replies. All sound advice. @plantgirl - I'm so sorry to read that you have cancer. I know what my Mom went through between the radiation and the chemo. It's very tough. Hang in there!

 

[swedishfish]

Don't get one of those super inexpensive ones. Her lungs are obviously weak and she may not be able to draw enough on one of the automatic cheapo models.

 

[toto1013]

gigi,

Get her excited about them!! The sooner the better.

Close to 40yr smoker here, on oxygen 24/7.

Let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[MichaelJMcFadden]

The danger of smoking with oxygen is that an oxygen-rich atmosphere makes it easy for a fire to start and spread. The tiniest ash or spark from the end of a cigarette that might ordinarily disappear into nothingness can cause a fire in such a situation. I have no knowledge as to whether the heating element in an ecig could cause a problem but I could see it being at least a small possibility. I have no idea where to look for more information on it. Ideally that's the sort of thing that doctors and the FDA should be examining since smoking emphysema patients could be some of the greatest beneficiaries of e-cigs. Unfortunately the FDA and most doctors are so totally blinded by antismoking fanatics that anything that even suggests the THOUGHT of smoking -- such as e-cigs -- has to be portrayed as the essence of evil and no positive research supported.

Sad world.

 

[JustJes]

Not sure if there is a danger in vaping while on oxygen but I had a lobe of my lung removed due to cancer. I started vaping the past October and there is a huge difference. I breath easier and no wheezing when I lay down at night. My oncologist was not concerned at all at the fact I had replaced my smoking habit with vaping.

 

[Tracj007]

I think I agree with the concept of vaping over smoking with O2....smoking, she'll blow herself up for sure at some point, at least with vaping she won't! I've heard sooooo many people say how sick they were when smoking with there lungs and now how much better they are because of vaping. I'm hoping that will be the same result for me in time, right lung plural effusion, left lung two masses! I'm crossing my fingers I get the same positive results I keep reading about. But also agree...ask the pulmonary first! But you should be good to go! Good luck!

 

[Dwindacatcher]

as there is no open flame it should be fine with oxygen, but i'd still talk to her doctor about it. even over the phone.