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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> O2  How 2
(Message started by: jdadams86 on Mar 19th, 2007, 6:44pm)

Title: O2  How 2
Post by jdadams86 on Mar 19th, 2007, 6:44pm
I am new. I have introduced myself previously, but in the wrong sectiong. sorry.

In relation to the O2 technique, Where can I buy everything I need. Does a welder supply have the right fittings I need? I am really curious and would like to get it as soon as possible.

Do you guys buy refillables or just a one time shot? How expensive is it?  How long does one tank work for? Do you guys buy more than one tank so you can take one to work and have one at home?

thankz
jordan

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by jdadams86 on Mar 19th, 2007, 6:47pm
one more...Do I have to have a prescription to get oxygen?

k b ye

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 19th, 2007, 7:03pm
To get medical oxygen, you need a 'script.  That is the easiest way to go, as the oxygen supplier has everything needed, and most you don't have to buy.

To go the welding oxygen route is more complicated.  You can't get everything there. and NEVER tell them that you are using the oxygen for medical purposes!

The welding oxygen is the same as medical.  It is just as pure.  You don't need a 'script for it.  The only difference is the tank, and fittings.   The industrial tank (welding) is not inspected as often as the medical one is.

I have a 'script, and therefore don't have to buy tanks.  I have LOTS of tanks.  Right now, I have 6 "M" tanks (about 5' tall) and 5 "E" tanks (smaller and portable).  This way, I always have a spare tank, and I also keep one (an "M" ) mounted in my van, right behind the driver's seat.

Where ever you get you O2, get a ClustermasxTM from here: www.clustermasx.com  It is $25.00 USD.  It is the Rolls Royce of masks.  This is the only place you can buy them, and your supplier will not know what you are talking about, if you ask them for one.  It is designed and vended by a fellow clusterhead.

Good luck!

Chuck

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by jdadams86 on Mar 19th, 2007, 11:26pm
Well i'll get a prescription then. I'll have to set an appointment wed. I have a busy day tomorrow so I will not be able to do anything. I hate 10 hour shifts. but wut can ya do.

Thanks for your help.
Jordan

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Superpain on Mar 20th, 2007, 7:27pm
Do you have insurance? Medical O2 is very expensive.
If you do, go that route, if not I can explain what to do for welders O2...

DEFINITELY get a clustermasx regardless of what type O2 you use!!!

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Gator on Mar 20th, 2007, 8:42pm

on 03/19/07 at 23:26:47, jdadams86 wrote:
Well i'll get a prescription then. I'll have to set an appointment wed. I have a busy day tomorrow so I will not be able to do anything. I hate 10 hour shifts. but wut can ya do.

Thanks for your help.
Jordan


Check your "new member" thread.  

If you are able to get a script for the O2, make sure the doc prescribes it for up to 15lpm.  He'll also need to specify a non-rebreather mask.  I went through all that when I first got oxygen.  The spazzes at the medical supply house wouldn't give me a NRB mask unless it was written on the script.

Good luck.

Mike

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by jdadams86 on Mar 20th, 2007, 10:11pm
Thanks for the specifics guys. I"ll be sure to write everything down. The appointment is tomorrow at 2. I"ll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again
Jordan

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Superpain on Mar 21st, 2007, 12:55am
Don't even bother with the NRB... The clustermasx is a NRB, but made for comfort in our extreme situation, and it's customizable with the padded mask or mouth tube, and different sizes of bags. A larger bag helps tremendously keeping enough O2 available, and it helps save O2 as well.
Plus the "padded mask" is also handy for accupressure around your eye, or at least for me.
I was never able to use a regular NRB mask. It just pissed me off more than anything. It's inneficient and irritatingly uncomfortable!
Don't you have one Gator? Gotta get one!

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 21st, 2007, 1:05am
And, the clustermasx is a MUST for a guy (or lady, I guess) that has a beard.  Those shitty MRB masks SUCK if you have a beard!

Chuck

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Gator on Mar 21st, 2007, 1:25am
I absolutely DO have a Clustermasx and I told Jordan so in his "new member" thread.  With it, I can abort in half the time  (or less) of an ordinary NRB mask.  Nonetheless, he needs something until he is able to get a clustermasx and the next best thing available through a med supply house is the standard NRB.  The only way to get that is to have the doc specify it on the script - at least that's what I had to do.

Amen on the beard thing, Chuck.  I get a much better seal with the clustermasx than with a regular NRB mask, plus with the mouthpiece attachment, I have a backup for when I have been in the mask so much that I get claustrophobic.  Gotta love "high cycles."  NOT!


Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Superpain on Mar 21st, 2007, 1:35am
Yeah, before i got the masx, I just pulled off a 1/2" plastic tube. It was just as effective, but a pain in the ass because I had to turn on/off the valve with every hit.
The masx is sooo much better. I just leave the big bag full when I'm done with it so it's ready to use on the next headache. I'm all about conserving the gas. The guys at ramsey welding supply know me well as it is. I walk in and they usually just say "The usual?" And a regular NRB wastes about 50% of the tank spewing out excess O2 unless your pulling on it.

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by kk on Mar 21st, 2007, 8:16pm
I just ordered one. I'm tired of trying to plug the holes on the NRB mask while taking a hit. Also, I noticed that when I exhale, the bag fills up with diluted air. That can't be good. I hope it arrives soon.

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Gator on Mar 21st, 2007, 11:43pm

on 03/21/07 at 20:16:26, kk wrote:
I just ordered one. I'm tired of trying to plug the holes on the NRB mask while taking a hit. Also, I noticed that when I exhale, the bag fills up with diluted air. That can't be good. I hope it arrives soon.



Use tape for the holes and inspect the check valve between the mask and the bag.  There should be a little rubber flapper disk that keeps you from breathing back into the bag.  If the disk is there, you may need to remove it and clean the mask and the disk in a mild detergent solution.  If it is not there, go to any med supply house and they should be able to get you a replacement disk until your clustermasx comes in.


Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by jdadams86 on Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:55am
Went to the doc today and he deemed an O2 tank "unnecessary". I told him I wanted one. I insisted and he still wouldn't write me a 'script. He wouldn't even let me get some imitrex...instead he slapped with some other shit called maxalt.  I don'tknow.

Do you guys know of any good preventative medication. He is giving me one...I forget the name, but I"ll run it by you guys before I take it.

My friend is an EMT for a medride company, and he is giong to look at getting some O2 from his boss. So that should work out.

Does everyone here have doctors that write them 'scripts for O2?  I'm a little upset about the whole thing. I hear O2 is the best.

Thankz
Jordan

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 22nd, 2007, 11:14am
Is this doctor a neuro?

Some doctors are anal about taking suggestions from their "dumb" patients.  After all, THEY are the ones with "PhD" after their name ... Yes, PhD = Piled Higher and Deeper ...

Find another doctor.  One of our family members told us that her doctor actually said that she got enough oxygen from the air she breathed.

What fucking IDIOTS!

Get thee to a new doctor!!!  Preferably one that does not have a God complex.

Chuck

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by thebbz on Mar 22nd, 2007, 3:10pm
Fire that a$$hole. Go to a doc that will listen.
all the best
jb

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Superpain on Mar 22nd, 2007, 3:26pm
Agreed!!! >:(
Fire that not a very nice person!!!

Any doc that won't at least let you try O2 for clusters doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.
O2 is the safest, cheapest most helpful and effective tool in fighting clusters (as long as your in th 90% that it works for).

Personally I wouldn't waste anymore time. Go to a welding supply, get a tank, a regulator, a clustermask, and just duct tape the hose to the regulator if you need to!!! (that's what I do, and it works great!)
If you can get medical O2 after that, fine... You either have a backup, cheap supply with the welding tank or you can turn it in or sell it. But most importantly you could have relief today! I got by for years by using a 1/2" acrylic tube attached to the regulator output with a small hose clamp purchased at home depot for about $3. (you've gotta turn the valve on and off with each hit)You could do that until your masx gets there.

You can't possibly comprehend how important O2 is if you've not had it. I feel sorry for you. You really need to go get some immediately!!! Seriously...

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Gator on Mar 22nd, 2007, 5:26pm

on 03/22/07 at 10:55:17, jdadams86 wrote:
Went to the doc today and he deemed an O2 tank "unnecessary". I told him I wanted one. I insisted and he still wouldn't write me a 'script. He wouldn't even let me get some imitrex...instead he slapped with some other shit called maxalt.  I don'tknow.

Do you guys know of any good preventative medication. He is giving me one...I forget the name, but I"ll run it by you guys before I take it.

My friend is an EMT for a medride company, and he is giong to look at getting some O2 from his boss. So that should work out.

Does everyone here have doctors that write them 'scripts for O2?  I'm a little upset about the whole thing. I hear O2 is the best.

Thankz
Jordan


Dude, FIRE that SOB right now.  Do not even think of putting up with his lack of knowledge.  

Try Dr. Marc Lenaerts at the OU Medical Center.  He's an Assistant Professor of Neurology specializing in headache and he fuggin rocks.  He was the ONLY doctor, out of 5 or 6 that they asked, that would agree to an interview with Channel 4 when they did their report on CH last November.

I drive all the way from Stillwater to see him.  You're a lot closer than that.  I'll send you his address and phone number in a pm.



Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Sandy_C on Mar 22nd, 2007, 5:37pm
Also agreed!  Fire him.  

I am right now without a doc because the one I was working with and who listened to me, learned with me, retired and sold his practice.  Even though my files state CH, even though my files state Imitrex, O2, this "woman" (questionable), completely discounts my previous doc's diagnosis.  Know why?  Because I'm female, and women don't get CH.

Not to offend anyone, but she's from Pakistan and can barely speak English!

I'm on my own now, got my 02 from my local welding supply company, got the Clustermasx, and Mr. Happy got me my regulator.

Life is good.

Sandy

Title: Re: O2  How 2
Post by Gator on Mar 22nd, 2007, 5:43pm

on 03/22/07 at 17:37:56, Sandy_C wrote:
I'm on my own now, got my 02 from my local welding supply company, got the Clustermasx, and Mr. Happy got me my regulator.

Life is good.

Sandy


And all God's children said...AMEN!   ;;D



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