Oxygen Therapy and F/T RVing

[crzyltlmama]

I am currently on oxygen therapy (due to COPD) about 15 hours a day..during my waking hours. I have an oxygen concentrator at home, and carry small tanks with me while I work (I currently drive a van for a mental health agency), and while I shop, walk, etc.
I am currently looking to buy an RV, and I am planning to become a full time RVer for the next couple of years. I am curious if there is anyone else out there dealing with oxygen therapy, and what advice they could give me. Is there some type of concentrator that also enables refilling the small portable tanks?
My current oxygen supplier is nationwide, but does not have a set up for refilling your own tanks. (Plus I expect from time to time to be in remote areas away from the nearest location of my supplier.) I would have to carry 15 - 20 small portable tanks, and then replenish at the nearest office before I run out. Where to carry that many tanks is also challenging. Is there an alternative? Anyone?

[bridgestohealth]

Are you on Medicare? If so, the first thing I would do is to contact them and request a list of DME Vendors (specifically oxygen). Many of these vendors will deliver to you, no matter where you are.

Also, I would not recommend carrying a dozen tanks! The product is highly flameable and storage would be a challenge in a RV.

Let me know what you find out. I can do further research for you once I know your insurance situation and such. You mentioned that you have your own tanks. Just curious, why you chose to go that route. Was there a higher copayment to rent the tanks?

Dr. Linda Mundorff