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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> 1st try with oxygen failed
        
(Message started by: EyeHurtOhio on May 12^th, 2004, 11:24pm)

Title: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by EyeHurtOhio on May 12^th, 2004, 11:24pm

Tryed O2 tonight for the first time during my CH. Got no relief and it made the inflamed right side of my nose and eye even hurt worse. I stuck it out as long as i could about 10 minutes, and then ran for the Imitrex! The LPM was at 10 with non rebreather mask. I will admit it seemed to help the Imitrex pill kick in faster. Maybe i didnt catch this one early enough.

Oh well i'll try again next attack.

Tom

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by HypnoticFreddy on May 12^th, 2004, 11:47pm

Imitrex works best as injections. Have you tried them (A stat-dose pen)? I am not helped AT ALL by oral Imitrex.

-Scott

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by Superpain on May 13^th, 2004, 6:06am

That's probably not enough flow rate...

But then again, I'm trailer park, with the welding setup. I'm comfortable hitting at about 20lpm (or more). But it sure makes the ha go quickly. ;)

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by FZfan on May 13^th, 2004, 8:09pm

Agree with superpain, up the lpm. Also, stay with it more than 10 minutes. On average, mine would melt away in about 12. Give it 20 minutes before you quit.

I know it hurts like a mofo while you're in the mask, but if you can stick it out more than 10 minutes, you might find that elusive relief you seek. Worth a try. Another thing I do is press the mask hard against my face to make sure the seal is as tight as possible. Superpain's method of hitting it straight off the hose is a good alternative if the mask is too uncomfortable.

Catching it earlier definitely helps, but I've killed 'em with o2 even after being aroused from sleep. Keep trying a few more times before giving up. Hope it works for you.

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by Mac_Muz on May 14^th, 2004, 5:01pm

I am so new I have no mask yet. Superpain explained to me about getting the right O2 into me with no mask.

This stopped last nights attack faster than it could start.

The key for me was knowing it was an attack first.

At 11 pm sharp the sting came.. I fooled around with other remidies a bit to see if the sting was a real warning.

At the first little twang I get behind my eye of which there are several with in a few seconds, I was headed for the O2 in my shop shed. I got the O2 on and began the procedure given and deep breathing O2 is the main part of that with enough O2. At 15 breaths I discovered the twangs stopped, but the sting was there still.

At 25 breaths the sting went, and I remained on O2 for 35 breaths trying to be sure.. That did it for me..

Speed in getting O2 seems to be a key factor as well..

I am not sure what must be done if you are into the pain hard with O2 yet, but I am so sure I will find out and soon...

Thanks Superpain... You saved my butt last night...

excuse the side note. I have been trying to give you a star.. I assume these are a given thing, even though somehow I have one. Mac

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by Superpain on May 14^th, 2004, 5:25pm

I think the star has to do with post count or something...
Thanks anyway. I'm glad it worked for you.

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by buckeyescooter on May 14^th, 2004, 5:41pm

Definately up the flow, and stay with it longer as my wise cohorts have stated here. I've also found that having a a fan or air conditioner,(if possible), blowing on me seems to help. May be pyschcosymatic...but it really does in my case.

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by BlueMeanie on May 14^th, 2004, 5:53pm

Unfortunately the O2 doesn't always work. I get about a 60% success rate out of it. The key is to hit it at the slightest onset of a Cluster. Every second counts when in battle with the Beast. Agree on trying to up the flow rate too. If you decide to start using injections (much better success rate), then look at the Imitrex tip at the left of the page. 1/2 shot works as well as a full shot. Good luck and Pain Free to you.

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by EyeHurtOhio on May 14^th, 2004, 9:05pm

Thanks Everyone for the input. I had much better success on my last 2 attempts. I upped the flow rate to 12 lpm and hit the O2 as soon as i felt the CH coming on. I'm VERY happy to report its been 27 hours since i've did the dance! Even was able to sleep through the night.

Sincere Thankyou!
Tom

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by FZfan on May 15^th, 2004, 12:04pm

That's great, tom, glad to hear it. I know o2 doesn't work for everyone, but for those it does work for it's a miracle. I am also pretty sure a lot of folks give up on o2 too soon. Bluemeanie is right when she says it's not 100% effective. In my case it worked about 80% of the time. If your first few tries at o2 happen to be the ones that it doesn't work for, it's easy to get discouraged and give up on it.

Glad you stuck it out and gave it another try. In my opinion, even if o2 only works half the time, it's still well worth it.

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by eyes_afire on May 16^th, 2004, 12:38pm

Another thing I have done:

Taped up those damn holes in the mask with electrical tape. After awhile the diaphragm discs either warp or don't seal properly allowing outside air to seep in (therefore diluting the pure oxygen). I just make sure I don't exhale into the mask, as the diaphragm discs are used to vent exhaled CO2.

--- Steve

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by Mac_Muz on May 19^th, 2004, 8:08pm

Good Tom, Killed another Ch great goin.. Kill em all let God sort out the demon.

I use welding stuff, and so my rate is in psl, and no mask yet... I don't care what I use so long as it works...

I might be a bit harder than some as I consider it WAR, but there are a few others that deal with it as I do....

it is said a mask is in the coming.. if and when I'll see about that and maybe get a small bottle and a medical regulator that is a wee bit more moveable than a 4'6" tank.. Till then the welding unit has lots of O2..

Mac

Title: Re: 1st try with oxygen failed
Post by pubgirl on May 19^th, 2004, 8:17pm

Just to reiterate what others have said, from trial and error, I find that whacking in at 12-15l/minute and breathing very hard, then dropping back to 9 or 10 as the pain begins to go, then staying with it for a few more minutes after the HA has gone works best for me.

If it is a particularly bad one, I take a triptan pill as soon as I use the 02 to "mop up" any rebounds that may happen. I can pretty much guarantee only one real attack a night this way.

I also now use the non-rebreather with the reservoir bag, which I think is marginally faster than the standard mask with the holes taped up (although that did work)

Wendy