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The Pulmonary Paper

It is our belief that when a person understands their disease process, they will be better able to cope with the symptoms and changes chronic lung disease may bring to their lives. The Pulmonary Paper is a way for people to support each other and keep up on the latest news in respiratory care treatments and products. Our nationwide newsletter is published every other month. The Pulmonary Paper, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, is supported by individual contributions.

For more information, you may contact us by E-mail, by phone at 1-800-950-3698 or mail at The Pulmonary Paper, PO Box 877, Ormond Beach, FL 32175

Because we believe there is power in numbers, we have asked companies that are involved in respiratory products to give our members a discount when ordering. We do not endorse one product over another and do not receive any compensation.

Tax Deductions

It's tax time again and we would like to present this popular annual article! If you are an oxygen user you may be able to deduct the cost of the electricity used to operate your concentrator as a medical deduction. Check with whoever prepares your annual income tax return if you can, or would benefit from taking this deduction. This hidden cost of oxygen is very real to users.

To compute the cost, do the following:

1. Look at the label on your concentrator. It states the number of volts and amps the concentrator uses. If not found on the concentrator, look for it in the manual. As an example, we will use 115 volts at 4 amps. To convert to watts, multiply volts and amps as in 115 volts x 4 amps = 460 watts or W.

2. Next, calculate the number of kilowatt � KW � hours per year. Multiply the watts your concentrator uses by .001KW/W to convert watts to kilowatts as 460W x .001 KW/W = .46KW

3. Multiply this answer by 24hours/day x 365 days/year if you are a continuous user. If you do not run your oxygen continuously, multiply by the average number of hours per day and then by 365. In our example, .46KW x 24hours/day x 365 days/year = 4,029.6 KWH/Y - This is the kilowatt hours you have used in the past year.

4. You now multiply the above result by the cost per kilowatt hour your electric company charges you. (It may be listed on your bill or you could call the local office.) Let�s say they charge you 8 cents per kilowatt hour, but remember they vary widely depending on where you live. In our example, 4,029.6KWH/Y x $0.08 = $322.37. This is the amount it cost you to power your concentrator in the past year.

You may want to investigate the possibility of deducting the cost of an oximeter as part of your medical expenses.

FAA Now Allows All Five POCs During Flight!

The FAA will now allow AirSep's Lifestyle and Freestyle. the Inogen One, Sequal's Eclipse and Respironic's Evergo to be used during flight! Check with each individual airline for their regulations on the portable oxygen concentrators!

AirFrance - www.airfrance.com

Will allow the Inogen on their flights.

Alaska Air - www.alaskaair.com - 1-800-426-0333

Accepts all five POCs.

Allegiant Air - Will allow the Inogen to be used aboard their flights.

American Airlines - www.aa.com - 1-800-433-7300

Accepts all five POCs.

American West - will allow the Inogen to be used on their flights.

ATA Airlines - www.ata.com - 1-800-435-9282

Accepts all five POCs.

Continental Airlines - www.continental.com - 1-800-525-0280 (Oxygen Desk direct line - 1-800-228-2744)

Will allow the Inogen One and AirSep's Freestyle.

Delta Airlines - www.delta.com - 1-800-221-1212

Accepts all five POCs.

Frontier Airlines - www.frontierairlines.com - 1-800-432-1359

Accepts all five POCs.

Hawaiian Airlines -www.hawaiianair. com - 1-808-835-3700.

Accepts all five POCs.

Horizon Air

Accepts all five POCs.

JetBlue - www.jetblue.com - 1-800-538-2583

Agents were unaware of the POCs but thought if the FAA had approved their use, they would expect a policy change from their corporate offices.

Lufthansa - Will allow the Inogen

Midwest Airlines - www.midwestairlines.com - 1-800-452-2022

Accepts all five POCs.

Northwest - www.nwa.com - 1-800-225-2525

Now accepts the Inogen and LifeStyle. We were told as of March 10, 2007, they will accept the Sequal Eclipse.

Qantas and SAS Airlines allow the Inogen.

Southwest Airlines - www.southwest.com - 1-800-435-9792

Accepts all five POCs.

Sun Country - www.suncountry.com - 1-800-359-6786

Accepts all five POCs.

United Airlines - www.ual.com - 1-800-241-6522 Special assistance 1-800-825-6331

We were told they are not and probably will not allow POCs to be used on their aircraft.

America West - www.americawest.com - 1-800-235-9292

US Airways - www.usairways. com - 1-800-428-4322 (These two airlines recently merged)

As of November 2, 2005, both approved POCs are permitted for use on any US Airways Mainline, Shuttle, or Codeshare flight operated by America West or America West flight. (but not on US Airways or America West Express flight.) You may download their required medical authorization form from their web site. The POC must fit underneath the seat in front of you. Take extra batteries for the entire flight that are safely packed, as it did not sound as they would have outlets available for you to plug into. As long as the �fasten seat belt� sign is not lit, you may walk around the plane with the POC.

Jimmy Nelson of Oxygen To Go, told us he has rented the Inogen One to passengers who flew on Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways. You may also contact Inogen Customer Care at 1-877-446-6436 for up-to-date airline acceptance info

Portable Oxygen Concentrators are valuable but expensive pieces of equipment. The ten pound units with extra batteries have a retail cost of $5000 and up. You may want to rent one before purchase to see if it is right for you.

Information on The AirSep Lifestyle may be found at Air Sep Corporation - The company suggests you ask your local homecare dealer for availability.

Learn about the Inogen One at Inogen.net Two companies have agreed to give Pulmonary Paper readers a discount on the Inogen One. They are Oxygen To Go at Oxygentogo.com (1-877-736-8691) and RxStat Pharmacy at RxStat Pharmacy (1-888-648-7250)

It's Time To Travel!

Staff from The Pulmonary Paper accompany travelers on exciting roundtrip cruises. Besides touring spectacular places, we also make time to exchange ideas and talk about the latest in respiratory treatment news. Generous vendors donate respiratory related products such as OxyView Glasses and aerochambers that are given away and we often have new products for us to evaluate. You never know what surprise are in store!

Sea Puffers 2007 Schedule

Eastern Caribbean January 13-20, 2007

Departs/returns Fort Lauderdale, FL on Holland America's ms Zuiderdam. Visit the white sand ports of: Half Moon Cay (Bahamas), Grand Turk, Tortola, and St. Thomas. Escape the January blues on this 7 day laid back cruise! A super winter getaway!

Hawaii February 4-19, 2007

Departs/returns San Diego, CA on Holland America's new ms Zaandam. Visit ports of: Hilo, Honolulu(2days), Lahaina (Maui), Kona. A glorious relaxing cruise for those who love the sea! Dolphins and whales are sure to entertain you! Many days at sea enjoying all that nature has to offer on the splendid Pacific Ocean.

Panama Canal March 3-13, 2007

Departs/returns Fort Lauderdale, FL on Holland America's ms Volendam. Visit ports of: Half Moon Cay Bahamas Oranjestad, Willemstad, Panama Canal, Colon (Panama), and Puerto Limon (Costa Rica). Beauty, rain forests, wildlife, relaxation and history all in one wonderful cruise!

Bermuda June 9-16, 2007

Departs/returns Cape Liberty, NJ on Celebrity Cruises's Zenith. A very relaxing cruise with just two port stops: 2 days at St. George Island, and 3 days at Hamilton, Bermuda. Golf, swim on the beach, explore, shop or rest! Smaller, elegant ship, no verandahs.

Northern Europe and Russia July 12-24, 2007

Departs/returns Harwich England on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas. If you thought you could never do this, think again! We have a wonderful oxygen and equipment supplier in London and there are non-stop flights from most major US cities!

Join us on this splendid cruise visiting ports of Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia! Plus land trips in England before cruise!

Alaska September 14-21, 2007

Departs/returns Seattle, WA on Holland America's ms Amsterdam. What is the one word most used to describe Alaska? It is truly MAGNIFICENT! The exciting, breathtaking Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska! Visit ports of : Juneau (Stephens Passage), Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria!

Las Vegas October 4-9, 2007

CELEBRATE OUR 5TH YEAR AS SEAPUFFER CRUISES! Included: Super Guest Speakers! Lake Mead Dinner Cruise! West Rim Grand Canyon Tour! Hoover Dam of course! Night Lights of Las Vegas! Theater! MORE INFORMATION IN SEPTEMBER, 2006!

Call Pam at Sea Puffers Cruises at 1-877-473-2726 for more information!

It is all up to you! Take part in all you can, or stay onboard and relax in the spa! The great thing about a cruise is that you can make new friends or have a quiet time on your own. Maybe you would enjoy the great bingo games, the bridge tournament, or the casino and nightlife. It�s all there for you to choose!

Get your Pulmonary Rehab and Better Breather groups together, discounts may be available.

Contact Pam at Sea Puffers Oxygen Travel for full details at 1-877-473-2726 or Send E-mail to Pam or visit Sea Puffers Cruises. Bon Voyage!

Looking for Answers?

Dr. Michael Bauer has the answers before you know the questions to ask! See what people have been wondering about lung disease.

Tips to COPE with COPD

Learn from the experts - people that have COPD themselves. Check out the tips for the swimming pool!