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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Need Help with O2 question
        
(Message started by: mczoom on Jan 21^st, 2006, 9:57pm)

Title: Need Help with O2 question
Post by mczoom on Jan 21^st, 2006, 9:57pm

My husband tried the O2 today from the protable unit we bought with nonrebreathing mask and no success.
I have noticed that the mask has little holes on both sides of the nose, these holes stay open as they are not covered by anything - is this normal and what are they for? Sorry for the stupid question but we are just trying it for the first time and know little about it. Thank you for any advice in advance. Olga

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by chewy on Jan 21^st, 2006, 10:08pm

Cover them with duct tape.

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 21^st, 2006, 10:09pm

Cover the holes with tape, and keep `em closed. Make sure the mask is fitting firmly all the way around the face; no leaks! Make sure the flow rate is high enough to keep the bag full w/o waiting. You want nothing but 100% O2 intake. 100%. Or as close as you can possibly get.
As simple as it sounds, technique and details are important. A Clustermasx (http://clustermasx.com) will take care of a lot of those details. As soon as they're available again, you'll hear somebody yelling from the Bell Tower.

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by mczoom on Jan 21^st, 2006, 10:16pm

Hi, Thank you so much for your reply. Why are they suddenly not available, I was just thinking of getting the mask?

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 21^st, 2006, 10:41pm

Supply company is back ordered on one of the components. Keep an eye on the Bell Tower.

You could be the second to know.
RJ

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by TxBasslady on Jan 21^st, 2006, 11:47pm

The flow rate could be too low, as Randy said.

My regulator goes up to 15 lpm. It takes 12 to 15 lpm to knock my headache out. Everyone is different, some get relief at a lower flow.

If you have a high enough flow rate, and if those holes are taped closed, hopefully he will get relief.

Check back with us and let us know how he's doing.

Jean

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by mczoom on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 9:31pm

Thak you so much everyone for your timely replies! What is not clear to me about the nonrebreathing masks is - if I tape the holes on both sides, where does all the carbon monoxide that is being exhaled go? Does it go inside the mask and get inhaled along with the O2?
Also what is Randy reffering to as a Bell Tower? I am sorry I am pretty new to the forum but I will get better.
Thanks Olga

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by E-Double on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 9:41pm

on 01/22/06 at 21:31:37, mczoom wrote:

Exhale out of the side of the mask.

Randy is just stating that there will be an announcement.

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by mczoom on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 9:47pm

Now I understand that I need the detailed explanation how to breath in the mask. I am sure now that he is doing is wrong and we just wasted a tank of O2.
Currently we taped over the holes and he is just breathing into the mask inhaling and exhaling into it.
IS he supposed to inhale in the mask but lift the mask to exhale? Any place I can find a detailed desciption of breathing technique?

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by E-Double on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 10:03pm

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1123513751

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by mcf69 on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 10:23pm

Does he pre-fill the resevoir bag before putting it on? You need to hold your finger or thumb over the flutter valve between the mask and bag to fill the bag with oxygen before using the mask. Just don't hold it too long or the bag will pop, very loudly. I did it once in the back of the rescue with a fellow immobilized on a backboard from a vehicle accident, he and the other 3 guys with me all had a good startle........ [smiley=laugh.gif]

Edited to add:
Make sure you're using it at 10 Litres Per Minute or higher, or it will have little to no effect.

Title: Re: Need Help with O2 question
Post by marlinsfan on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 10:23am

Olga, send me a pm with your address, I'll mail you a brand new non-rebreather mask with the reservoir bag, and the silicone disks over the covers. It's not as good as the clustermasx, but much better than using tape and lifting the maks to exchale. I have 2 new ones packed away, which I won't need since I now have a clustermasx.

PF wishes.