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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> First Post Oxygen Question
        
(Message started by: tnally on Oct 25^th, 2006, 7:01pm)

Title: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by tnally on Oct 25^th, 2006, 7:01pm

First post and need help on oxygen. I needed to know what type to ask for on oxygen. I know what to get for home use thanks to link on left side, but what do I do for work use? I work at a pharmacy at least 8 hours a day, and didn't know if the small portable tanks work as well? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Going to GP tomorrow!

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Jonny on Oct 25^th, 2006, 7:05pm

For work you would want an "E" tank, its nice and small and will kill 2-3 headaches.

Ask as many questions you want...thats why we are here ;;D

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Oct 25^th, 2006, 7:07pm

Hi tnally
Yep the small bottle does exactly the same job; they just don’t last as long.
As long as you have a regulator that can go to at least 15 litres / minute and fits that size bottle you won’t know the difference.
Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by tnally on Oct 25^th, 2006, 7:15pm

So when I go to new GP I should take info from link on left but should I ask for tank for house and "E" tank with the special mask for both? Anything else to ask for? I already have Maxalt from Migraines but nothing has worked. This is only my third cycle but this one is worse than the others. Last Neurologist gave me 10 Darvocet and no sympathy at all. I am already on Verapamil and I am asking for a referal to new neurologist.

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by chewy on Oct 25^th, 2006, 9:47pm

Quote:

should I ask for tank for house and "E" tank with the special mask for both?

Why not? Just explain the need to the Doc.

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by mcf69 on Oct 25^th, 2006, 11:51pm

Ask for:
1. O2 Tank
2. Regulator that goes to 15 litres per minute
3. Non-rebreather mask

Have the doc write the script "oxygen, 10-15 lpm via NRB, PRN for cluster headaches" Don't settle for anything else, and don't let the DME BS you into a concentrator with nose tubes. Let us know how it goes, best of luck....

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Bob P on Oct 26^th, 2006, 8:32am

In my case the Doc just prescribes O2. I then deal with the supply company on how many tanks and what size. Last bout I got 5 E tanks each week, 1 regulator and 1 mask. I take 1 tank, the mask and reg to work with me. I then bring the mask & reg home each day. There were a few weeks I had to stop by the O2 company on the way home and exchange some empty tanks because I was using more than 5/wk.

BTW - I run my regulator at 7-8 lpm and it aborts attacks in 10 minutes.

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Giovanni on Oct 26^th, 2006, 9:01am

on 10/25/06 at 23:51:22, mcf69 wrote:

The oxygen RX should read "AS NEEDED" to obtain as many refills as your require.

John

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by tnally on Oct 26^th, 2006, 9:23am

Just got back from GP appt. :'(! I know it was necessary to get a referal to neuro, but otherwise huge letdown. She wouldn't alter Verapamil dosage. Didn't believe in Prednisone for "migraines". Did not know anyone who ever had CH. The literature she had read said O2 was for men only. Gave me Keflex for possible sinus infection and I will be lucky to get an appt with neuro in one month! OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!! I do appreciate all info from everyone and I will keep it for my appt with neuro in December (if I am lucky) and will demand O2! No more nice gal!!! Any input on her biased opinion about O2 working for men only?

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Bob P on Oct 26^th, 2006, 9:40am

Quote:

Any input on her biased opinion about O2 working for men only?

Bullshit!

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 26^th, 2006, 9:41am

on 10/26/06 at 09:23:03, tnally wrote:

J Any input on her biased opinion about O2 working for men only?

Here's some very concise input.....That's bullshit, plain and simple.

Scott

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Paul98 on Oct 26^th, 2006, 9:43am

on 10/26/06 at 09:23:03, tnally wrote:

Fire your Dr. and find a new one!!! If she has to read a book to tell her O2 is for men only and believes it, she should have her degree revoked. She is an idiot. Get a new Doc!

-P.

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by mcf69 on Oct 26^th, 2006, 11:20am

Quote:

The literature she had read said O2 was for men only

Okee Dokee.....That's like saying Tylenol only works for women

Quote:

Any input on her biased opinion about O2 working for men only?

Get a new Doc, this one is obviously a yo-yo

Quote:

The oxygen RX should read "AS NEEDED" to obtain as many refills as your require.

John

PRN is latin for pro re nata, "as needed"

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Charlotte on Oct 26^th, 2006, 2:31pm

The best thing I ever did was change docs - my new doc cares.

Be prepared with as much info and printouts as possible when you go to the neuro. Don't let the neuro shine you on or stun you, like mine did me.

I went to the neuro in Agust. I was going to ask for O2 and lithium and the neuro stunned me by saying it wasn't ch. In October, he now says it may be ch or sunct. I have requested but not received copies of his reports so I can see what he is thinking. Both my doc and the neuro are learning a lot and I appreciate that. But I am back in the guinea pig mode.

Good luck, and hang in there.

Charlotte

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by joboofish on Nov 2^nd, 2006, 3:29pm

As a newly diagnosed, woman CH sufferer I have found O2 to be a miracle after dealing with this pain and being misdiagnosed for over 10 years. It works about 90% of the time for me. I hope you find a doctor who will listen and help you out. I have been there and it took me being pregnant with sky high blood pressure due to anxiety about this pain for me to get into a neuro right away and to actually find one that has dealt with other CH patients. My husband found my neuro listed on the OUCH website (link to left) as recommended by another CH sufferer in our area. At least this way I knew he had heard of and treated CH before. Good luck to you, you are in my thoughts.

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 5:04pm

Linda Howell will follow this up but the reason oxygen doesn't work for women is because they don't get CH, they're just faking it! :P :P

BobG who is far more eloquent then i said it best............. BULLSHIT.

That being said I am so sorry you had a bad first doctor. Find a friend with a welding outfit or a friend with access to welding materials and get set up with oxygen. I can't stand the thought of anyone running completely unarmed for a month, these hurt too damned much.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Jonny on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 8:04pm

on 10/26/06 at 09:23:03, tnally wrote:

Any input on her biased opinion about O2 working for men only?

I may be wrong, but I smell a fucking troll.....What doc would EVER say that?

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 9:16pm

on 11/03/06 at 20:04:15, Jonny wrote:

I may be wrong, but I smell a fucking troll.....What doc would EVER say that?

Probably the same sort of doc that prescribes antibiotics for cluster headaches.

Tnally, this doc gave you Darvocet for clusterheadaches? I have heard of migraine sufferers getting that, but i havent heard of any cluster sufferers saying that it works.
Let us know what happens. BTW, do you have another abortive med like Imitrex or something?

PF wishes
BMonee

Title: Re: First Post Oxygen Question
Post by Jimi on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 9:21pm

Unfortunetly there are GP's out there that don't know squat. They grab an old antiquated book to read up on something they have never seen. And the old books do say that it is a man thing. Of course, we all know better.
My last cycle, I had an H tank (large) propped up in the corner next to my bed. One E tank at work and one in the cruiser. My regulator was 15lpm's but I found just sitting it on 10 worked for me. Like Bob, after I get the presciption, I got to a supply company and get the goods.
Good luck.