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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Question about Oxygen
        
(Message started by: Scarlett on Mar 30^th, 2005, 11:19pm)

Title: Question about Oxygen
Post by Scarlett on Mar 30^th, 2005, 11:19pm

My husband is CH sufferer and in the past when he has gone to emergency and they have given him oxygen in combination with litocain, it has cleared his headaches up with in a few minutes. He was prescribed an oxygen tank to use at home,but it hasn't done him any good. In fact the noise of the tank and having to sit still wearing the mask actually make things worse. We have the tank set on 5 and I am wondering if he needs to take in more oxygen per breath or if the litocain is nessesary to acheive any relief? Any thoughts on the subject would be totally appreciated! :)

Title: Re: Question about OxygenH
Post by RichardN on Mar 31^st, 2005, 12:04am

Hey Scarlett and Welcome

Well, the hard part is over . . . you've gotten the script and the 02. Now he just has to use it correctly . . . 5 lpm won't do it.

First, don't WEAR the mask . . . . the rule usually is "cut the strap off" . . . I will admit that I left mine on because it's convenient for hanging the mask on tank or cart . . . but I NEVER USE IT. When he gets the hang of using it, it's very easy to wake, grab the mask, crank open the valve, breathe til it goes away and go back to sleep . . . . that's why you HOLD the mask in place . . . then if you fall asleep, the mask will fall away and you'll just wake up with an empty tank.

You probably were given an 8 lpm regulator . . . not enough . . . you need a 15 lpm regulator. I usually set mine at 10-12 lpm, take long inhales (4-5 seconds) and 3-4 second exhales. If hit at night with a KIP 4-5, it's 15 lpm, 4-5 second inhale, 2-3 second exhale til pain subsides, then cut down the lpm's and get back to a normal rate . . . . many will continue to breathe at a reduced rate 6-8 lpm for several minutes after pain is gone to help prevent a rebound headache.

You said he had a mask . . . the one with the bag? That's the proper mask . . . . you can squeeze the bag on the enhales for maximum effect. Take the little valves off the sides of the mask . . . . you're going to lose them anyway . . . and tape up the holes. Just slightly crack the mask for the exhales and hold tight for the inhales.

If he just has the 8 lpm regulator, turn it up to 8 and only breathe at the rate it's giving him 02 . . . the key is 100% oxygen.

Use as soon as he feels the ha in progress . . . . the sooner the better. During the daytime, I can kill him in a few minutes. If waked by a KIP 4-5, it might take 5-15 min, but I DON'T HAVE TO DANCE! I can deal if I don't have to "dance".

I had two night before last and he caught me pretty bad yesterday afternoon . . . I broke my own rule and let him get too good a hold before I went to my van and got the 02 . . . . worked, but endured far more than necessary.

Hope this will help . . . please let us know.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Question about Oxygen
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Mar 31^st, 2005, 9:29am

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm
Hope this helps,
Mast

Title: Re: Question about Oxygen
Post by Scarlett on Mar 31^st, 2005, 11:28am

Thank you both...I think your advice will help us a lot!

Title: Re: Question about Oxygen
Post by Bob P on Apr 1^st, 2005, 10:09am

Scarlett,
My regulator is only an 8lpm. I have it set on 7lpm which is enough for me. I use the technique Richard describes above, including squeezing the bag on inhales and it aborts the attack within 10 minutes.

Title: Re: Question about Oxygen
Post by Karla on Apr 2^nd, 2005, 6:10pm

I used to use my tank for 10-12 ltr for 15 to 20 min. It eventually quit working for me after a couple of years of use.