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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> O2 Concentrator?
        
(Message started by: DennisM1045 on Jul 24^th, 2007, 2:25pm)

Title: O2 Concentrator?
Post by DennisM1045 on Jul 24^th, 2007, 2:25pm

I was chatting with someone on the board the other day who they said they were looking into getting a portable O2 concentrator. I’ve been thinking the same thing myself recently so I fired up Google and…

All the machines I found had a maxiumu 10LPM delivery of 85-95% O2. While 10LPM works for me (most of the time), I routinely see people post flow rates in the 12-15LPM range as required. Plus all the medical literature out there I've read specifies 100% O2. So this option doesn’t sound like something that would work for many here as an abortive.

After digging through some old threads I see that some folks have explored using them as a prevent. The idea is to apply a 5LPM flow throughout the night through a nose tube. This is an intriguing idea.

Who has direct experience, good or bad, with O2 concentrators? Are there other applications I didn’t find in my search?

PF wishes to everyone…

-Dennis-

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by nani on Jul 24^th, 2007, 2:33pm

Hey, Dennis. I've heard of people using 2 at a time, to get a 20LPM flow. I'm not sure it's a good thing to use O2 as a prevent. I know for those (like me) with respiratory issues, it makes it harder to breathe without it. Like we almost get dependent on it. Ben, Howard... am I correct?
hugs, nani ...who occasionally remembers things wrong. ::)

/ edited because I used the wrong name in my response. DOH!

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by Xenoz on Jul 24^th, 2007, 4:05pm

I tried an O2 concentrator as a prevent about three weeks ago (my wife had gone through some medical issues that resulted in pneumonia so we had one already available), sleeping while using a cannula at 2 lpm. It seemed to work quite effectively for the first two nights (reduction in frequency and severity), but even with the "humidifier", my nose got increasingly dry and irritated. On the third night, it became less effective (attacks grew stronger and more frequent), and on the fourth night, after two bad Kip 9 attacks, I stopped using it and my attacks didn't get any worse from there on.

I would say it could theoretically be used as a temporary prevent for maybe a day or two, then stop using it for a few days, then use it again, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort or bother.

As far as using it to abort attacks, I did almost come into a situation where I may have needed to use the concentrator, as I ran very low on O2 (thought I had more E-tanks available, realized I had only half a tank left). To test the concentrator (before I went to bed), I cranked it up as high as it would go, and based on the rate at which it filled the non-rebreather mask bag, it appeared to be delivering about 10lpm or so.

But the concentrator won't be delivering 100% oxygen (as you mentioned, maybe 85-95%, probably closer to 85% when it's cranked up all the way), so I would always prefer to opt for a tank.

However, if you happen to have a concentrator and find it works in aborting attacks, and saves money (not sure how much they are to rent as our insurance is covering it), it might be the way to go.

That said, I'd still have a tank around just in case of machine failure, a power-out, etc. And a nice double-barrel E-tank roller comes in handy for going on trips as well - so you always have O2 witih you no matter where you are, and a spare tank to boot.

-Xenoz

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by thebbz on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:50pm

They are bulky expensive and work well for someone with low blood 02 levels. They do not work for my CH.
The concentrators take a few valuable minutes to acheive even 92% 02. This was too long. Two concentrators back to back will only reach over maximun output of the highest rated machine with backflow and pressure compensation equipment this is a freakin nightmare and too cumbersome to pack on the back.
I was advised against this by my dear friends here and did not listen....I am awfully stupid sometimes. It was a good thing the insurance picked up the tab. Thousands of dollars for nothing but aggrivation.
all the best
thebb

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by tjnunn on Dec 17^th, 2007, 9:59pm

I have used a concentrator for approx one week and have noticed a difference in the frequency of headaches in the night. I set the machine at about 2.5 liters on a nasal but am unsure of how to run this machine safely. I have asked the medical professionals but they seem to think that this does not work. I know it works for me because I did not use it for one night and the headaches returned. I also had my family Dr. prescribe this so that the insurance would pay. I am hopeful that this will help me to continue to get beneficial sleep. I still continued to have daytime headaches but the nightly headaches ceased.

Tom

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by thebbz on Dec 17^th, 2007, 10:27pm

To get anything at all for your CH you need to crank that machine wide open and use a clustermasx. That is still not the proper administration for 02.
100% 02 at 12 to 15 lpm for 15 to 20 min. Minimum of Non-rebreather mask or a clustermasx. Thats my ticket.
This really works well when used properly. If it wont work for you ,it doesn't matter how you use it. It wont work.
all the best
thebb

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by mcf69 on Dec 18^th, 2007, 11:32pm

on 07/24/07 at 14:33:00, nani wrote:

In a healthy person, using low flow o2 isn't going to cause any problems, if the hemoglobin is saturated to near 100% the blood simply will not accept any more oxygen, this is why oxygen bars are kind of a sham. You bring up a good point nani, however, it's a common misconception that those with respiratory issues use o2 to help alleviate shortness of breath. In fact o2 has little impact on percieved sob, it is used to maintain adequate oxygenation of vital organs to prevent damage from hypoxemia, you can't become "addicted" to oxygen, since we are addicted to it anyway from the time we take our first breath... Does any of this make sense?

(Maybe I shoulda been a respiratory therapist instead of an RN?) ;;D
Ben

Title: Re: O2 Concentrator?
Post by swimchica623 on Dec 19^th, 2007, 6:54am

I've tried using lower levels of o2 at night before and during the worse times during the day (late evening and about 1-4PM) when I'm really, really getting slammed. It does seem to reduce hits...with the afternoon time it would seem to delay them until the end of that bad time, so I would just get one during that time instead of two or three, and at night reduce it by half to 50%.
When the O2 supplier noticed we were going through o2 faster than normal (partially because hits had picked up, partially because I was using few more tanks for this purpose) they gave us a concentrator, but I didn't like it. When I used it during the day, I couldn't go anywhere, and at night it was noisy. So I think I used it once for like an hour and went back to the tanks.
If you are going to try this, you really need to have two tanks going...one hooked up and ready to go for when you have a hit because the low flow tank might not have enough in it when a hit comes and you don't want to be scrambling to get it ready.
I also wonder if this works well for me because it keeps my O2 at completely optimum levels...usually when I get slammed my asthma flares too..if it is only a little bit my oxygen levels won't drop significantly but maybe it is enough to annoy the beast? I imagine if you smoke this could also be beneficial though..but remember you can't smoke while on the O2!
Good luck, hope you find some relief!
Lisa