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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
        
(Message started by: Not4Hire on Sep 10^th, 2002, 5:45pm)

Title: ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
Post by Not4Hire on Sep 10^th, 2002, 5:45pm

Hey Clusterfolk.....I see lot's of posters here saying that they have no (or little) luck with oxygen as an abortive. I hope that these folks are using the o2 CORRECTLY. I suspect many are NOT. The following links have good basic information and the OUCH site has the definitive "poop". It is important to use this as described HERE....many doctors just don't know how to prescribe it correctly.

The nose canula just don't get it. The face mask WITHOUT the bag don't either. And flows less than 8-10 liters per minute have limited effect. !0 or 12 LPM up to 15 DOES get it.

Links edited out..........Sorry but they don't work anymore.....not sure why...... but I'll see if I can find them.....Meanwhile, please go to the OUCH site......

Title: Re: ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
Post by Melissa on Sep 10^th, 2002, 6:01pm

Some additional info:

Non-rebreather Mask: Notice the oxygen source feeds into the reservoir bag. Once filled, the one-way valve remains open during inspiration filling the mask. The mask also has a side port one-way valve to prevent entrainment of room air. However, the other side port has this one-way valve removed to allow room air entrainment in case the oxygen source gas becomes disconnected.

http://www.jlenterprise.com/images/nrbmx.jpg

In MY experience, I need at LEAST 12lpm to break an attack.

:)Mel

Title: Re: ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
Post by Tom on Sep 10^th, 2002, 6:10pm

Thanks for this important post, you can't emphasize often enough the correct use of O2 as mighty weapon against CH attacks.

In my opinion most of the CH non-responders to O2 use it in a wrong way.

Thomas

Title: Re: ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
Post by Jim R on Sep 11^th, 2002, 6:24am

Hi all,

I'm one of the posters that has said O2 doesn't always work for me - let me explain... If the CH is below a KIP 6 or so, I usually have success. If higher, I might have short duration success, e.g. 5 min. relief before it comes back and I can go through many 5 min. cycles with it like this, eventually, if the CH keeps getting worse, it does not work at all. I am using it correctly, however. My current non-rebreather mask has both side ports/valves covered by the rubber discs thereby preventing any room air from entering and I find this works MUCH better than my previous mask which had only one of these covered (I could hear and feel the room air entering on inspiration through this one uncovered port...). Of course, I have cut the head strap off so there is little chance of falling asleep with the mask on thereby risking pulmonary damage from the 100% O2. PFDAN's to us all! Jim R

Title: Re: ATTENTION O2 USERS!!!
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Sep 11^th, 2002, 8:56am

Good post Not4hire,
I agree with Jim too, the mask makes a LOT of difference.
Last year I tried a new mask that did not have the flappy things on both sides...It would abort a headache, but the HA would return 10 minutes later. I'm thinkin, what the heck, O2 ALWAYS works for me.
So, I grabbed one of my old masks with the flappy things on both sides, and it worked GREAT. At least 2 hours in between headaches (at my peak) which was completely normal for me.
I really do believe the mask and the flow rate make a LOT of difference in O2 working for you.
Mast