Clusterheadaches.com Message Board (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> O2 Troubles
(Message started by: Frank on Mar 22nd, 2003, 11:23pm)

Title: O2 Troubles
Post by Frank on Mar 22nd, 2003, 11:23pm
I'm in a reeeeallly bad cycle now... been going on since earlt December. I have O2 but have been experiencing problems whe I use it.
I am inhaling O2 at 8 LPM with a non-rebreather mask, regular breathing. But sometimes, I feel like each inhalation is like cold air blowing across a raw exposed nerve on the same side as the CH pain. That sensation is almost as bad as the Kip-10 I am trying to get rid of.
Ideas (yeah I know... block that nostril... but try to inhale 8 LPM through one side :o)?

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by rumplestiltskin on Mar 23rd, 2003, 2:21am
Do you have a "bubbler" on yer system? See Jonny"s latest photo of his O2 rig. They cost a couple bucks and install in a minute. Conteracts the dry burning effect. Highly recomended for those sucking O2 at extreme high concentrations like we do.

The feel of my mask and the O2 flowing often drives me crazy. I want to tear it off and throw it away. The extreme pain overwhelms my rational thoughts. My mind often screams "it's not working!...it's making it worse!" ...butt my higher consciousness, which sees the big picture....KNOWS how many times it has worked... KNOWS that I have to keep at it. I usually force myself to excercize while I'm sucking.

It was horrendous when I was trying to use those "cannules from hell". This web site taught me the correct way.

I sympathize with those who quit at this point....before the miracle happens...and then claim that O2 does not work for them.

Those moments are when I feel most alone with my misery.

good grief
den

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by catlind on Mar 23rd, 2003, 7:58am

on 03/23/03 at 02:21:09, rumplestiltskin wrote:
It was horrendous when I was trying to use those "cannules from hell".
den



Couldn't have said it better myself Den.  The one time I went to ER and they gave me the nasal cannula I just about drown from trying to breathe the O2 while my nose was flowing at the rate of niagara falls.

O2 is the nectar of the gods if you can get through the agony of waiting for it to work.

Cat

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by K. on Mar 23rd, 2003, 5:13pm
What makes me mad is that these so called medical professionals are supposed to know that you cannot get 8L/min through a nasal cannula. I've asked a few med. professionals that I respect and they informed me that 4 to 6 L/min is the most you can get out of a nasal cannula no matter how high you turn up the O2 and at that flow rate will dry out the nasal membranes which is very painful. So with that in mind and knowing that WE need around 10L/min...why do these so call med. professionals try to use nasal cannulas for CH??? It's unbelievable!!!
Karen

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Frank on Mar 23rd, 2003, 8:14pm

on 03/23/03 at 17:13:02, K. wrote:
What makes me mad is that these so called medical professionals are supposed to know that you cannot get 8L/min through a nasal cannula. I've asked a few med. professionals that I respect and they informed me that 4 to 6 L/min is the most you can get out of a nasal cannula no matter how high you turn up the O2 and at that flow rate will dry out the nasal membranes which is very painful. So with that in mind and knowing that WE need around 10L/min...why do these so call med. professionals try to use nasal cannulas for CH??? It's unbelievable!!!
Karen

I have found a few home medical equipment places around town that sell non-rebreather masks. They are inexpensive, around $4.

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Frank on Mar 23rd, 2003, 8:18pm

on 03/23/03 at 02:21:09, rumplestiltskin wrote:
Do you have a "bubbler" on yer system? See Jonny"s latest photo of his O2 rig.

I'll try a home health store for one... if they don't have it, I'll make one. I'm an Electrical Engineer by trade... but handy at O2 plumbing too.

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Kcir on Mar 23rd, 2003, 8:39pm
Frank,

I understand the reeeallly bad cycle. You might try the BONG
technique (as named by Not4Hire) ;D
This is from a previous post of mine.

I find that O2 works quick and always for me as long as I breath it at 100%. The easiest way to be asured of this is to put the plastic tube in my mouth and turn the regulator up to inhale at a fairly fast rate. When my lungs are full I turn the regulator off, wait a few sec, exhale and start again. I always get partial relief on the first or second breath and full relief in less than five minutes.  This way you don't waste any oxygen.

Good luck,

Rick T

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Frank on Mar 23rd, 2003, 11:46pm
I might give the Bong technique a try if I get hit tonight. O2 up the right side of my nose is getting to be a major pain sometimes.

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by fubar on Mar 24th, 2003, 1:10am
Frank,

Are you saying you usually get all of your oxygen through your nose?  I know there's no way that would work for me.  I could get some relief with a regular mask, but it was noticeably better when I finally got the right mask.  It wasn't easy though... my neuro thought it was nonsense when I asked about it.  Even the oxygen supply guy that was delivering oxygen had no clue what I was talking about, and when they finally figured it out, they said I’d have to get my own somewhere else.  All I know is I wanted to try it, since I wanted to try anything that might help at all  I found the masks on eBay and I think I paid $9 for 3.  I am happy, and my neuro has a new data point to work with.

-Fu

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Not4Hire on Mar 24th, 2003, 10:58am
...maybe I'm missing the obvious here, but please remember that the whole idea of Oxygen therapy with a NONREBREATHER mask is to raise the O2 concentration in your blood.....so that your screwed-up hypothalamus is not telling your body to raise the amount of (oxygenated) blood being pumped to your head....which puts pressure on yer trigeminal nerve which causes PAIN......

...if your nasal passages are clogged--or dry--or painful: JUST BREATHE THROUGH YOUR MOUTH!!! And breathe DEEPLY and regularly.....the sooner you can raise the o2 concentration in your blood, the sooner yer hypothalamus will send a signal to your heart to slow down the pump and lower the pressure...VOI-fuckeneh-LA.......RELIEF!!!

...of course, I could be wrong........I'm sure the BOBs and Uelis and jonnys will sort out my shit if I am......

(and I'm still workin' on the O2 button: Ueli has agreed to check my work....he's just scarce these days due to all the political stuff.....)

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by ave on Mar 24th, 2003, 4:42pm
Frank, during some attacks I will get the "razorblade up the nose pain" as well.

I do as some of the above say: I breathe through my mouth at those times.

It DOES work too. Best of luck.

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by jonny on Mar 24th, 2003, 5:39pm
I dont even think of nose when I get on the 02, I just open my mouth and keep up with the bag @ 15 LPM.

..........................................jonny

Title: Re: O2 Troubles
Post by Frank on Mar 24th, 2003, 8:46pm
All- I think I got it... will try breathing though my mouth when this happens.

Ave- "razorblade up the nose" describes it well.

-------------------
Stay tuned for my "Insurance Co. wastes four days and still does not approve Imitrex injections" rant... coming later.



Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.