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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> O2 and chest pain?
        
(Message started by: nani on Jan 18^th, 2007, 12:11am)

Title: O2 and chest pain?
Post by nani on Jan 18^th, 2007, 12:11am

Strange...
I rarely get hit lately, but every now and again I have to huff the O2. The last two times I did so (about 6 weeks apart) I started having some pretty bad chest pain on my entire left (my CH) side. From my waist to my shoulder, once I stop huffing. Has that ever happened to anyone else? It lasts about 30 minutes. I was recently diagnosed with emphysema, but am not really having any symptoms besides the usual shortness of breath on exertion.
[smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 18^th, 2007, 1:10am

Doesn't sound good Nani, I think your should definately get checked by a doc. Hope all is o.k.

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by froggy on Jan 18^th, 2007, 2:09am

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis (my Dad just had the same as you too - scary at times). I hope you can find a treatment that keeps you comfortable and safe.

When my husband tried the O2 about 9 months ago, during the first dose he felt like he was having a panic attack. We realized that we had the oxygen flow set too high then lowered it.

Then, each and every dose following, he felt great anxiety during the oxygen flow (yes, even with the Clustermasx). I asked around, to some of the pro oxygen people, if they had ever heard of such a thing. They all said no and that a panic attack or anxiety was very unusual.

So, we finished up the rest of the Oxygen (to exhaust the "O2" treatment) and unfortunately moved on to other things.

Do you know Mr. Happy? He's a great authority on the Oxygen subject and might be a great place to start.

In any case, I'm with BlueMeanie, a doctor visit sounds good right about now too.

We're about ready to try the Kudzu in about another month after we're done doing the "present" treatment. I've been following your progress on the subject and have to say, you've been the inspiration on the matter.

Best of luck to you.
michelle

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by seasonalboomer on Jan 18^th, 2007, 5:27am

that's wierd nani -- you oughta get that checked out by the body mechanics.

(you aren't laying back hugging the tank with the tank on top of that side while you huff are you? ;) ...... kidding, but seriously, are you in a relaxed position when you use the O2? So, like those of us that get phone shoulder or neck from sitting in one position with the phone in the crick of our shoulder, or when you leg falls asleep from sitting wierd...)

scott

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by kcopelin on Jan 18^th, 2007, 9:29am

Nani,
You MUST see your doctor or a pulminologist. High flow rates are majorlly not good with folks with compromised lung capacity. Please get this check ASAP. Emphysema totally sucks and probably will affect how much/how dast you can use the O2.
Pleae check it out my frined.
PFDAN
kathy

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by floridian on Jan 18^th, 2007, 10:16am

Hoping its nothing more than a minor neuromuscular thing from exerting yourself to get more Oxygen. But could be something else, like pleurisy. Doctor time.

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 18^th, 2007, 10:39am

Nani

I am sorry you feel so bad. :(

Flo is right of course.

I once had terrible pains in my lungs, much worse than bronchitis and it turned out to be pleurisy, which was cured with antibiotics but I was pretty rough for a couple of weeks.

One word of warning though, they tried to put me straight onto a Heparin drip in the hospital as they feared it was a pulmonery embolism as I didn't at that point have any other symptoms apart from the pain.
I refused to let them (bolshy cow that I am) so they admitted me and next morning I developed the rest of the pleurisy symptoms.

Not meaning to worry you Nani, honestly, but chest pain MUST be taken seriously I'm afraid.

Keep us posted, please?

Wendy

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by B14CK5H33P on Jan 18^th, 2007, 2:41pm

I with the gang. Go see your doc like, soon.
I got diagnosed with Emphysema last year, but have only had a couple of resipratory infections that really messed me up physically. But I haven't had any reactions when I breathed o2, so you definitely want to get that checked out.

I'm with Flo. Could be pleurisy, but I'm no doctor, nor do I play one on TV.

Peace & hope you feel better,
Carl

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by nani on Jan 18^th, 2007, 4:03pm

Thanks everyone. I see my PC dr next week, so I'll bring it up. I don't think it's pleurisy, or an infection. I'm not sick, and the only cough is the usual smoker's hack.
I'm a closet huffer, LOL. My setup is so that I can lean on, or rock against shelves in my closet. Not too relaxed, but not too tense either (save for the normal tension of a hit). It's just strange... but...so am I. ;)

Title: so get it checked asap or I'Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by LeLimey on Jan 18^th, 2007, 4:16pm

Strange is good!
We love you and we want to keep you Nani noo noo so get it checked or I'll phone you daily and sing to you.. you have been warned!!
lots of love
Helen xxx

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by BB on Jan 18^th, 2007, 6:30pm

Hi Nani,

Hope that chest pain turns out to be nothing serious.

Please have it checked properly and let us know.

Fingers and toes and eyes crossed for ya :-*

Annette

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by mcf69 on Jan 20^th, 2007, 11:20am

Hi Nani,
Just got back from vacation and read your post. My official nursing advice, get to a good pulmonologist and STOP SMOKING!!!!!! (Sorry, had to throw that in, it's a thing taught to nurses) A good person to check with may be mynm156, I know he's a respiratory therapist and can probably give you some good advice. At any rate, you want to make sure that the high flow/high concentration O2 is safe for you, too much oxygen can be dangerous for those with emphysema. Another good board to check out is the copd-international message board http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/forum.htm , I posted there when looking for info on homefill O2 systems and they were very friendly and helpfull, and they have tons of experience and info on respiratory problems. A last piece of advice is when you get short of breath make sure to breathe out all the way, through pursed lips, like blowing out a candle, exhale for at least a full 3 seconds, it helps empty the lungs of stale air. If you need anything, please don't be afraid to get ahold of me, all my contact info is on my profile. Best of luck!
Ben

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by mcf69 on Jan 25^th, 2007, 4:30pm

Bumping for nani in case she didn't see it :)

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by sandie99 on Jan 26^th, 2007, 1:08pm

Nani, I hope it's nothing serious... [smiley=hug.gif]

Best wishes,
Sanna

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by nani on Jan 26^th, 2007, 8:48pm

Thanks, everyone. Ben, I picked up my scrip for Chantix today... I'm setting a quit date next week. I've already cut down, LOL.
I saw my doc today and she's not too concerned about this. She said that prolonged use of even 5 lpm can be harmful to compromised lungs, but even 20 minutes at 15 lpm, once in a while, is OK. She thinks I may be swallowing more air, and that's causing the pain. She said to really try to concentrate next time, and see if it happens again. This is a substitute dr, since mine has been on maternity leave since November. She spent an hour with me today, we talked about CH at length. She has a friend who's young adult daughter just got a CH diagnosis, so of course, I asked her to pass my number on. We discussed triptans, kudzu, O2, and busting. She was all ears and wrote it all down. When I left, she thanked me for teaching her so much. It was nice. :)

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by LeLimey on Jan 27^th, 2007, 5:17am

Thanks for the update Nani and I'm glad you managed to do a spot of doctor education too. Its always such a joy when you find one who wants to listen so they KNOW isn't it?
lots of love
Helen xxx

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by mcf69 on Jan 27^th, 2007, 6:19pm

on 01/26/07 at 20:48:56, nani wrote:

Thanks, everyone. Ben, I picked up my scrip for Chantix today... I'm setting a quit date next week. I've already cut down, LOL.

Thanks for the update nani. Good for you!!!!!! I've heard good things about the chantix from people that have used it, hopefully you'll have good luck with it too. Stopping smoking is the first thing you can do to help lung function, after all you don't really want to be on the O2 24/7. I'd have to admit that would come in handy for the surprise hits, just switch to a mask and up the flow and you'd be all set, but it still wouldn't be cool. Like I said if you need anything......

Title: Re: O2 and chest pain?
Post by kcopelin on Jan 28^th, 2007, 9:30am

Nani,
Whats your quit date? I'll quit with you-if you haven't already. Got patches, and have been rolling my own (with a machine-never could roll anything that was smokable by hand ::)) so as to cut down-if ya gotta take the time to roll a cig you don't do it as often-down to maybe 10 a day.
Listen emphysema sucks-but sounds like they caught it early and if you quit smoking your quality of life WILL be better.

Much love and best wishes for PFDAN,
kathy