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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
        
(Message started by: MJC on May 9^th, 2006, 6:34pm)

Title: Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
Post by MJC on May 9^th, 2006, 6:34pm

Hi, new here. Had what I thought was really bag migraine headaches about 5 years ago at age 23. I had about 5 or 6 in one month's time. My doctor prescribed Maxalt. Armed with my new medication, I got one more attack, took the Maxalt and the pain seemed to subside. After that one, I had no attacks for the next five years until one week ago today. Went back to the same doctor to get a new prescription for Maxalt as it seemed to work when I got these headaches before. Explained to him that now I have gotten them for three days in a row at the same time each day...sometimes two a day, much worse than it was 5 years ago. He told me I might have cluster headaches and described them like "a bunch of migraines in a short period of time". Now, it is painfully obvious what these cluster headaches are and they are NOT MIGRAINES. It is much worse for me now, that it was 5 years ago. I am hoping my cycle will not be much longer as I am at a low function level.

Well anyway, I found this site and see O2 as a possible abortive measure against these CHs. I have a welding O2 tank but the regulator that only reads in pressure, not flowrate. I got a non-rebreather mask from a medical supply place today. As long as I am breathing pure O2, I should be ok, right? As in keeping the bag full and the o2 comming out...the lpm doesn't matter, correct? As long as there is enough. I mean, I just crack the valve and breath the O2 throught the mask...the bag is always full.

Does anyone else do it like this? I'm sure I am getting more O2 than a medical regulator. I think I will be getting a better fitting mask, however. Where can I get the clustermasx I hear so much about?

Title: Re: Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
Post by Richr8 on May 9^th, 2006, 6:55pm

Your method sounds fine. Just crack the valve enough to fill the bag in between breaths. You don't want to waste the precious O2.

You can order the mask here:

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~tritech2/clusterx/index.html

Title: Re: Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
Post by MJC on May 9^th, 2006, 7:21pm

Thanks for the reply and the link, Rich.

Title: Re: Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
Post by Barry_T_Coles on May 9^th, 2006, 10:13pm

Hi MJC
Welcome to the site you’ll find all the info here to help you through.
Your story sound very much like mine, five year break before coming back again.

Check out the link to o2 to the left.
Below is a couple of links to Mr Happy’s site that will give you an idea of what you need to get the o2 working for you.
As Rich has said you can get away with just keeping the bag full but you may run the risk of the valve icing up because of the restriction.
The info in the links is for Australian suppliers but BOC gases world wide numbers should be uniform.
Make sure you get a flow gauge that will allow 15 litres/ minute and then adjust the flow to suit your requirements.

Link to flow meters etc:
http://www.mushys.com/kiwi/

Link to bubbler:
http://www.mushys.com/kiwi/bubbler2.jpg

Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: Oxygen with Welding Regulator Question
Post by Mr. Happy on May 10^th, 2006, 12:02am

Been looking for a cheap welding O2 regulator, just to test drive the puppy. Folks get a little too caught up in the whole flow rate thing. What's too much for one is not enough for another. I've sort of "modified" my regs, so the output is monumental, if needed. It can get a tad tricky for the uninitiated.

As long as you can hook up ye olde O2 hose, and keep the bag as full as needed, there should be no problem. Sorry I can say for sure, as I haven't tried that type of reg, and have no idea of output.

Watch the bag, not the needle.
RJ