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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> O2 Users, I have some questions...
(Message started by: kimmiedawn81 on Sep 5th, 2007, 6:54pm)

Title: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by kimmiedawn81 on Sep 5th, 2007, 6:54pm
Ok, I have an o2 tank, with clustermask, and a regulator that goes up to 15 lpm.  I tried it out the other night, and it didn't seem to do me much good.  

So, how long do you normally have to use it before it starts to work?  A few minutes?  10 minutes?  

Also, if your ch is already full blown, do you still use it and will it work or do you go to a different med, like trex?  

Just kind of having a little bit of difficulty right now.  

-Take care!

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 5th, 2007, 7:26pm
Hi Kimmie,

1st off there is an excellent description of what to do here http://www.ouch-us.org/medications/oxygen/O2_CH_Abortive_v2r7_Final.pdf

Do you have the regulator set to 15lpm?

I use O2 until the pain goes away or 15 minutes goes by.  Breath fast, 30 breaths per minute or more.  If the pain isn't gone by that time I stop, wait 10 minutes and hit it for another 15.  It usually works the first time for me.  If not I use the 10 minutes in between to knock back a Rock Star.

I don't have  a clustermax so I can't offer any tips on that front.

Stay with it.  It took me a few tries to get things right  ;;D

Wishing you PFDAN!

-Dennis-

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by ski2k on Sep 5th, 2007, 8:48pm
Hello Kimmie...

  I try to hit the O2 as soon as I feel a hit coming on. Sometimes the O2 kills it in 5min, sometimes closer to 20 min. I think the longest you should leave it on is 20 min. Doc told me it can damage the lungs at such a high rate if you're on it too long.
  I have had some success using it after the headache gets full blown (if I can't get to it for whatever reason), but that seems to take the full 20 min. to get rid of it for me. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Hope this helps!!
Pain free wishes to you!
Adam

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by Brewcrew on Sep 5th, 2007, 10:30pm

on 09/05/07 at 20:48:11, ski2k wrote:
I think the longest you should leave it on is 20 min. Doc told me it can damage the lungs at such a high rate if you're on it too long.

This is a fallacy. If you were breathing nothing but pure O2, you wouldn't even approach damaging exposure levels for about 20 hours or so. There are no home application tanks that big.

(But don't insult your doctor - he's just regurgitating what he learned in med school.  ;) )

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by ski2k on Sep 5th, 2007, 11:48pm
Scratch what I said... Do whatever works for you.

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by nani on Sep 6th, 2007, 12:03am
Kim...this may seem like a dumb question... but I ask because I've done this (more than once, I'm afraid)...
is your masx put together properly? I swear, everytime I take mine apart, I forget how to put it back.  :-[

BTW... I can only use it for about 5 minutes before I start having chest pain. I have emphysema, and going longer than that really causes me discomfort. I'd also say that if it hasn't worked in 20 minutes, it's not going to. Getting hooked up and huffing in the first minute or two really helps.

hugs and pf wishes, nani

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by bluesunshine on Sep 6th, 2007, 2:45am
hello kimmie,

have you got good result with O2 in past cycles? Or is it the first time you use O2?  

From my experience, i have gone trough one cycle with O2 having no effect at all (aborted CH with O2 in previous cycles).  And for the next cycle, It gave me relief again.  I'm just saying that if O2 doesn't help you in this cycle, don't give up on O2...

Also, I dont botter with O2 if it wont settle the beast down in 10-15-20 min max.  if at 10-15min CH is still at full blast, trex, zomig is my savior.  

The trick with O2 is to jump on the tank as soon you hear,feel it coming.  Don't play the "roulette russe"; you think it's coming? but not sure?, don't wait, fight back, dont let it hit you, jump on the tank and breathin air (O2).

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by sandie99 on Sep 6th, 2007, 3:15am
I hope that O2 works for you soon, Kim! :)

This tread confirms me right: the new Finnish clusterheadaches leaflet has its O2 info wrong. It advices clusterheads to use their oxygen tank up to only 7-10 lpm. :(

Sanna

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by Beastfodder on Sep 6th, 2007, 5:38am
Kimmie,

Do think you got to be pretty quick on the O2.

I also like to give my system every encouragement to get the blood flowing.  What works for me when I'm getting hit (left side) is lifting a weight in the left arm at the same time.




Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by barry_sword on Sep 6th, 2007, 5:57am
Kim, I have exactly the same setup as you. I did not have the Clustermasx setup right the first few times but now that I do it works awesome for me. I did not have the valving right but thanks to Drew37, he and I compared our masx setup and we figured it out.

At the very first "twinge or sign" of a hit coming I get to the o2 right away, no second guessing. I can stop a hit in 4 minutes flat most times at 15 lpm on the regulator.

Also I am taking 480mg of Verapamil daily as a prevent. This is working for me so far as only the odd hit gets through my barrier.

Keep trying the o2 and I hope you get it working for you. Here's some PF vibes for you.

  Barry

Title: Re: O2 Users, I have some questions...
Post by southwalessunshine on Sep 6th, 2007, 12:36pm
I posted a similar question the other day and Dennis sent me the same link he's given you.  it really is an excellant source of info. (Thanks Dennis ) There's stuff in there that explains why 02 wasn't working for me.  I had practically given up on it and thought i was one of the unlucky one's who has no effect from it.  But now that I'm gulping the 02 down and trying to get into respiratory alkolosis I'm killing of the shadows and mild CH's.  However it doesn't work on the beast for me, but I have Imi for that.  Good luck and happy reading x



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