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Don't know if it's just a coincidence. My 93 year old father has dementia, CHF, AFib, PAD. I swear when he gets these treatments on a daily basis his mental state improvements. Not to the point where he could function and drive again but he is more lucid and more himself.

I'm just curious if others have found this to happen. It makes sense to me. The more oxygen to the brain, the better the brain functions.

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Chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Hm. What's PAD? Oh - pulmonary artery disease?

Sandy, it makes complete sense that your father's brain functions better when it gets enough oxygen. So would yours! :) Normally, our hearts pump blood efficiently enough to carry the oxygen around. Given your father's many circulation problems - occluded arteries, poor pumping - not enough oxygen gets into his bloodstream from ordinary atmospheric air, and then not enough blood get upstairs, so it's a double whammy. The O2 helps to correct the blood oxygen saturation; I'm not sure what the nebuliser is for but I'm guessing it's to improve his airways?

Pam is of course correct; and I'm sorry - we're in a similar position, though without the A fib - to think that these treatments can only relieve symptoms, not treat the underlying disease; but on the other hand it is some consolation to remember that all of this support makes your father infinitely more comfortable than he would be without it. And that's not always the case - there are a few palliative treatments that do make you wonder if they're not worse than the problem they're supposed to solve.

So, no, no coincidence. Wishing you many more conversations with him to treasure x
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My husband (he has Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinsonism) was hospitalized all summer and was on oxygen, first 24 hours and then at night. I noticed a big improvement in cognition. He's now back at assisted living, and they won't continue the oxygen at night because his saturation level is above 90. Very frustrating when you observe something that helps and can't get it.
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Yes. Oxygen in excessively high concentrations is toxic.

It's all a matter of balance: if your loved one is oxygen deprived for some reason - poor breathing function, poor heart function, poor circulation, that sort of thing - then increasing the amount of oxygen in the air that he breathes will help return his blood oxygen level to *normal*. But you should never just up the oxygen in the vague assumption that the more oxygen he has, the better. If you suspect he might be oxygen-deprived, seek to have that checked. They'll use a finger meter to start with, then if necessary confirm with a quick, minimally uncomfortable blood test.
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What I have found is that going on oxygen is a sign the end is near.

My sample is only 3 people, But in all three cases, it seems their bodies quickly became dependant on the added oxygen...then in quick succession required greater and greater concentration. My Dad was only 1 month on oxygen. My Great Aunt lasted 3 months. my grandma was less than a month. All of them struggled with CHF for years...but ended quickly once oxygen was introduced.
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CM I won't be wearing out any backpacks. By hell or high water I intend to get a portable concentrator even if i have to buy it myself!
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O2 will definitely help his train of thought, but with CHF and A-fib, the train could derail at any time. A-fib is a deadly clot-maker.
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This interests me, I hadn't thought of oxygen as therapy . Sorry to be green but can you elaborate on what CHF and Afib are ??
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Very frustrating, GMB; but don't forget that pure oxygen can have toxic effects, I believe? As long as they're monitoring his levels and keeping the balance as good as possible.
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My Mom doesn't use either, but I have noticed a very significant change when she drops weight! My Mom took a turn for the worst a year ago lost 20 lbs during that time she couldn't stand, eat, talk or even hold her head up straight. I pretty much force-feed her anything I could get down her! Dr. even notice the improvement she came in on a wheelchair when bad and next time with weight gain was standing using her walker and talking! They even wrote her off at hospital said she had Adult failure to thrive. A month later after feed her ALOT her PCP said "What did you do?" She's was doing nearly a 360 turn around!
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Katiekate,

I thought my dad was the only one. But once he needed oxygen he only lived another month. I know everyone is different, but here I thought it would help him live longer. It still breaks my heart.
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