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joboofish
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questions about O2 tank
« on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 12:04pm » |
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Hi again everyone. Well I did get O2 after getting in to see a great neurologist but I have a couple questions. First, the O2 seems to work great most of the time, but for instance this morning I started feeling pain and put the mask on for 10 minutes, but still felt some twinges with the oxygen and when I turned it off the pain was back within minutes. I tried to wait 10 minutes and then turned the O2 on again. It definitely wipes out most of the pain while it is on, so I kept it on for 13 minutes this time and turned it off and the pain came back stronger again. I waited again for 10 minutes, put the O2 on again for maybe 10 minutes and that seemed to do the trick. I should mention that in previous attacks it took between 7 and 12 minutes every time to totally abort the attacks. Also, my regulator only goes up to 8 and that is generally what I have it at. This leads to my next question. I have an M tank and according to the gauge I think I have used 1/3 to 1/2 the tank already in 2 1/2 days. My script says one refill so I can get one more, but should I be going through them this quickly? Lastly, has anyone else noticed a sore throat from the oxygen. My tank does not have a humidifier, is this why my throat is all scratchy? Thanks for reading and any advice.
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Giovanni
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #1 on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 12:59pm » |
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Your regulator should be rated at 15 liters per minute not 8. You have the wrong regulator. You may not need the entire 15 liters per minute, but probably more than 8.
During peak cycle I use 2 M tanks and several E's per week. You RX should have read "as needed" @15 liters per minute.
Sometimes with me the O2 will hold off the next headache for some hours beyond the "normal" hit time. Other times only for a few minutes. That's when I hit a triptan drug to knock it out. I will at first try the O2.
Your throat and mouth will dry out from using the O2 with no humidity. A bubbler would probably help.
John
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tanner
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #2 on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 1:44pm » |
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Jo, I can only reiterate what Giovanni ( who I hope to meet in Jan ), has already stated.
My reg goes to 15 lpm but after reading someones post on here ( sorry I can't remember and credit ) I have found that by controlled breathing which is really just breathing normally I can cut back to 12 lpm's.
I go through a ton of the stuff! I have also found that I get best results if I chug a Redbull right before I go to O2.
Do you have a Clustermask? Yes my throat gets very dry.
I get the most relief on the early morning less intense hits as mine tend to ramp up as the day goes on and if it has not aborted after 15 min. I give up on the O2.
Glad that you found a Neuro that you like  , That is key!
Now you just need to start them on their continuing education course in Cluster 101 
Best of luck, Tim
Oh btw, my supplier changed out my reg to the correct one just with me asking them to. I don't think they contacted my Doc.
Oops, I forgot to say congrats on your good medical condition, we love ultrasound pics around here 
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| « Last Edit: Nov 2nd, 2006, 1:47pm by tanner » |
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Guiseppi
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #3 on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 3:03pm » |
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I require cafergot with my oxygen or the headache always comes back within 10 minutes of discontinuing the oxygen. I take one cafergot when the headache starts, then go on the 02 for about 10 minutes. It usually stops the headache and the cafergot seems to keep it at bay. The only side affect I get from the cafergot is I get a little edgy, (caffeine sensitive) and a weird taste in my mouth. Beats the headache any day! Good luck to you.
Guiseppi
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Mr. Happy
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #4 on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 6:03pm » |
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WHAT a great O2 info thread, Joboo! Glad you have positive results. Some salient points here:
Quote:regulator rated at 15 not 8. Use 2 M tanks and several E's per week. O2 hold off headache for hours...minutes. hit a triptan. bubbler would probably help.
I chug a Redbull right before I go to O2. Clustermask.
cafergot with my oxygen or the headache always comes back |
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Beauty info from these guys. O2 isn't mean't to kill CH totally, just kill it quick. Longer relief comes from other meds. Unless you're able to huff O2 on demand, hourly, etc., you kind of need to look at the "other stuff."
M tanks for home, E tanks for out and about. (They take different regulators, tho.) Once you know how much you need, keeping supply with demand should be about as hard as falling off a log.
Huff long and prosper.
Hap
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NovellRed
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #5 on: Nov 2nd, 2006, 6:37pm » |
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You seem concerned about the amount of oxygen you are using. I have found out that I can minimize the amount of oxygen needed to abort an attack. I turn the supply off between breaths. and I empty my lungs as completely as possible when I exhale.
1. Inhale the oxygen as deeply as possible, turn off the O2 hold your breath for 15~30 seconds.
2. Exhale as completely as possible, (really force the breath out until you cough) turn on the O2, breath in deeply, turn off the supply, hold breath, repeat until you feel better.
You may have to take the low flow regulator out of the equation for this process to work for you. I just crack the valve on the tank and breathe it straight.
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seasonalboomer
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #6 on: Nov 6th, 2006, 8:49am » |
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In most cases for me, O2 will knock the CH right out in less than 15 minutes. I will, on occasion, particularly with middle of the night hits, get another headache which will require O2. If it is more than 2 hits in a night I will go to, what I consider, my big gun, in the form of the Imitrex injection.
Most of the time however, it is one use of the O2 and I'm on my way for the day.
Scott
(great questions by the way)
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clusterwife
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #7 on: Nov 7th, 2006, 8:10am » |
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My hubby said that the 02 doesn't work until the pain peaks. He tried to use it as an abortive, but it only wasted the oxygen. But, once he is breathing it in, the pain is pretty much gone in 15 minutes. By no means is it a cure all, but he swears by it. He takes it with him everywhere, luckily it has wheels. He named it Bob. Hope all goes well!!
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NovellRed
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #8 on: Nov 7th, 2006, 10:57am » |
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O2 is magic for me.
When I am awake and aware and feel a cluster coming on, I hit the O2 tank. Using my deep breathing technique I can get rid of the beast in 10 breaths.
When the beast awakens me, it is further progressed and it takes substantially longer, but 10~15 minutes on 100% O2 and it is gone.
Everyone is different. Not everything works for everyone. I have been fighting the beast since 1977. Used every medication known to man (might be a slight exaggeration here), but the list is at least 30 meds long. O2 is the ONLY thing that has worked consistently. God bless the internist at Naples Naval Hospital who discovered that O2 works for me.
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Gator
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Re: questions about O2 tank
« Reply #9 on: Nov 9th, 2006, 8:46am » |
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Tell your doc you want the script to read up to 15lpm via non-rebreather mask for up to 20 minutes as needed. If he balks, give him this. In fact, give him this anyways.
http://www.chhelp.org/mhni.html
It's from a well respected doctor in the cluster headache field and justifies high flow oxygen use for ch.
You might also consider getting a clustermasx. With a regular NRB mask, it would take up to 10 - 15 minutes to abort. With a clustermasx, I am knocking most of them out in 5 - 7 minutes. The larger bag means I can take full deep breaths instead of the partial breaths I'm forced to take with a regular NRB mask.
Good luck.
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