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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Damn Vital-Air
        
(Message started by: ClusterChris on May 3^rd, 2007, 3:15pm)

Title: Damn Vital-Air
Post by ClusterChris on May 3^rd, 2007, 3:15pm

I was all excited to get home today because there was suppose to be two big ass tanks of oxygen sitting in my living room. Needless to say, No Tanks. I check my answring machine and there is a message from Vital-Ait sating they cannot find a regulator for 10-15 lpm that goes onto their large tanks. What kind of fucking oxygen place doesn't have a regulator that adapts to all their tanks. They said it could take a few days to track one down from their other stores across the province, which I think is bullshit. Anyhow, I told them I can't wait that long sothey are going to deliver 4 small tanks to get me by untill they find the regulator.

By the way, my doctor did allow me to get the 10-15lpm and she told them to also give me a non re-breather. So it looks like tomorrow I should be suckin back the o2.

Thanks for reading my venting!
Chris

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by michael on May 3^rd, 2007, 3:33pm

People who don't know this illness just do not understand the urgency

Mike

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by Margi on May 3^rd, 2007, 3:36pm

??? that's odd. We just switch the regulator we have from tank to tank, regardless of size. No adaption necessary. Ours is one given to us by Jonny though (back in the day we were still using welding O2) but I took it to our Medigas guy when we did finally get a 'script to make sure it would work and he says theirs were the same.....is this unique to Vital Air, then?

sorry to hear this, Chris... :-/

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by ClusterChuck on May 3^rd, 2007, 8:36pm

This is not as unusual as you might think.

First of all, there are two (that I know of) styles of regulators. One fits the larger tanks (M-60, M, H tanks) and the other style fits the smaller, portable tanks (E tanks).

The second thing is that is not that surprising not to have a regulator that goes to 15 LPM. Most users never go that high. It is a rare condition that needs the high flow rate that we do, so if they have never had a demand for one, it is not unimaginable that they wouldn't have one. My supplier did not have the regulator for the E tank that went that high. I just went out and bought one from eBay ...

Your best set of battle tools would be to have both size tanks. The large M size tank to leave in your home, and the smaller E tanks that you can take with you in your car, or to work, or where ever.

Good luck, and I am glad you are getting set up on this miracle treatment!

Chuck

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by ClusterChris on May 3^rd, 2007, 8:38pm

not sure really what the deal is, She just saiid the regulators they have will not fit on the large tanks. You know what else is a kick in the nuts, they called and said the delivery guy was in the area and he is going to drop off a tank for me. Now I have a full tank sitting in my garage with nothing else so all I can do is stare at it. The did find a regulator and it will be there in the morning. They are coming over when i get home from work to give me a walkthrough on how to use it. So I won't be getting the smaller tanks after all. What an ordeal. Hopefully it pays off!

Chris

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by Batch on May 3^rd, 2007, 10:18pm

Chris,

Chuck made a sound suggestion. It's a good idea to have both M Size and E Size cylinders with their respective regulators on hand. Order some E Size cylinders (and regulator) when you call for your next refill. The following link will give you a good indication how long your tank should last. Order your refill early.

http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstc/backup/paraoxca.htm

A spare non-rebreather mask is also prudent. Make sure you check the masks when delivered. A missing exhaust valve means you will not be breathing O2 in its highest concentration as room air will enter the ports of the missing exhaust valve. This will result in it taking longer for the O2 to achieve its abortive effect not to mention wasting precious O2.

If either of the two exhaust valves are missing, keep asking for another until you get one with both in place. These soft silicone disks will fall off during use. Having a spare mask means you have spare valve disks on hand. The supplemental User's Guide I sent you covers this topic in detail.

Cheers.

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by birdman on May 4^th, 2007, 8:16am

Just had a similar experience here in NYC. My supplier no longer supports m tanks as they claim they are dangerous for homes. Must be something new. Now I get multiple m60 tanks. But the regulator is the same for both. My e tanks obviously have a different regulator. I just got the clustermax, the best $25 I ever spent. Somebody needs to give that man an award!

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by Gator on May 4^th, 2007, 8:09pm

on 05/04/07 at 08:16:42, birdman wrote:

I just got the clustermax, the best $25 I ever spent. Somebody needs to give that man an award!

Somebody did. ;;D

From the 2006 OUCH Convention in Milwaukee, WI:

http://www.ouch-us.org/gatherings/milcon06/goldenreg-khan.wmv

Title: Re: Damn Vital-Air
Post by pieface_49 on May 4^th, 2007, 8:58pm

Chris,
They should have been able to supply a regulator that does 10lpm. I would at least take that in the meantime. Some people have stated 7lpm works for them.

Maybe you can get one next day aired? It is a shame this is the weekend. This is the 4th, so hopefully you have found a solution.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=oxygen+regulators&category0=

Donnie