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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Planning ahead
        
(Message started by: George_J on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:41pm)

Title: Planning ahead
Post by George_J on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:41pm

Right now, I'm going through what used to be my Spring cycle, back when I was cycling twice a year. I've now been a year PF, and if the pattern of recent years continues, I shouldn't have to confront the thing for another two years. Funny--although I'm not going to hit a cycle this Spring (I can feel it), I've been having a few minor secondary symptoms, including the "neck thing", and some sleep disturbance--waking up during REM, etc. But it isn't ramping up. Should have by now. I guess the &^%$ thing just sleeps--hangs around in some sub-clinical way--and doesn't really "go away".

Anyway, I plan to try oxygen as an abortive during my next actual cycle. I'm going to go the welder's 02 route, because I can't see the sense of doing the doctor thing yet again--I can't imagine there's anything they haven't told me before, and I'm not going to use anything other than melatonin, benedryl, magnesium and calcium supplements. I've gotten very conservative about what I'll use to treat CH over the years, for what I think are very good reasons.

As I see it, I can either acquire a regulator that's capable of delivering 15 lpm and one of Ben's clustermasx's, or I can retrofit a scuba-type demand regulator. Seems to me that the demand regulator might be a more efficient delivery system, but I'm not really clear what type of mask or fitting I should have with it. I thought perhaps some of those who've used both systems might have some insights into what worked best, and what I might be looking to get to make the system work as well as possible, should I choose to use a demand regulator.

Most likely I'll get both setups and see for myself which I prefer.

Thank you.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Planning ahead
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 18^th, 2007, 3:11pm

I've always used an old paramedic push button/demand regulator. I removed the mask and draw straight off the stone/filter. I do the complete exhale, then as deep an inhale of the 02 as I can hold, then I hold it for up to 30 seconds.

That has seemed to stop the onset the fastest. Because I spend so much time NOT drawing air, the demand regulator has proven much more economical as far as 02 usage goes. Off an e-tank an attack can be beaten down for around 200 pounds. Hoping it proves as effective for you!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Planning ahead
Post by thebbz on Jun 18^th, 2007, 6:38pm

Give er hell George. Dont forget to breathe. I use medical 02 and a clustermasx. Have my own equipment. Let us know what you come up with.
all the best
jb