Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> How fast does oxygen normally work??
        
(Message started by: jamie_h on Dec 10^th, 2002, 4:41pm)

Title: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by jamie_h on Dec 10^th, 2002, 4:41pm

I just tried oxygen therapy for the first time today. (twice) I did 15 minutes at 8L and it did not really have a positive effect. >:(

I know that oxygen does not work for everyone, I guess I sort of had my hopes set very high for this, and perhaps it is still too early to tell. :-/

Just wondering for those that have success with oxygen, did it work the first time you tried it, or does it vary in its effectiveness. :D

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by domm on Dec 10^th, 2002, 7:03pm

Jamie - when I use it, it normally takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure you have a non rebreather mask and crank the regulator up to 10 - 15 lpm. Try to get nothing but pure O2 into your lungs as fast as you can. The more you dilute the O2, the less effective it is going to be.
There's an "oxygen Primer" posted on the general board about a month ago. Try a seach for it (*oxygen primer*) that has many of the details of proper O2 use.
Good luck
domm

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by NotH20 on Dec 11^th, 2002, 10:48am

Jamie,

In addition to it not working for some and working for others......sometimes within the same person you get the same result. Back in the early 80's, O2 worked great for me.....in the 90's it didn't do so well. Now this decade it worked much better for me during my last cycle.

I agree with domm - make sure you have the right equipment and push the O2 up a couple of lpm's. That just might do the trick.

Good luck to you,
NotH20

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by NotH20 on Dec 11^th, 2002, 10:50am

Oops Jamie I guess I didn't answer your question. Usually for me I see great results within the first 15 minutes.

NotH20

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by Ueli on Dec 11^th, 2002, 7:01pm

Jamie,
An important point of the oxygen treatment is to start it as soon as possible, at the very first sign of an attack. The earlier you start the better the results.

BTW, I prefer the term "oxygen treatment" over "oxygen therapy". The word therapy implies a long term application, aimed at an long term improvement of a condition, and therefore it does not matter if you do it an hour earlier or later. The way we use oxygen is as a one time abortive of a CH attack, it has no influence whatsoever on future attacks. The timing is therefore of utmost importance, see above.
After all, you would not call the stitching of a large cut a "therapy", it is a one time treatment too. ;)

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by Not4Hire on Dec 11^th, 2002, 7:19pm

...as usual, yer right on the money Ueli...I'll be tracking down my o2 *nuggets* and making the appropriate changes......

o2 is an abortive--a one time deal...a *treatment*..... lithium/prednisone/verapamil/et al. are therapies.... I hope they work for allayez that can stand the side effects...... I elect to take my shrooms when the MOFO wants to dance every night.... and reach for the o2 when I need to stop bonkin' my head on the wall......PF ;D

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by Dave_W on Dec 13^th, 2002, 9:53am

Hi Jamie!

I usually get results before the 10-minute mark hits, but sometimes it goes to 14 or 15 minutes. If I haven't succeeded by then, I get out an Imitrex nasal spray (10-minute max, always works, but $40 a pop).

I have noticed that the nocturnal wake-up-call headaches seem to respond lots faster to oxygen. Sometimes as quick as 3 to 4 minutes if I get right after it.

I use a non-rebreather mask, and adjust the volume to keep the little bag inflated during my deepest breath, so I maximize the number of treatments I get from a bottle. Usually that's in the 8 to 9 liter per minute range, but I find that a really severe attack makes me breathe deeper and I'll wind up at 10 to 12 liters per minute....

Hope this helps, and more importantly -- Pain Free Days to ya!

Old Dave

Title: Re: How fast does oxygen normally work??
Post by jamie_h on Dec 14^th, 2002, 10:25pm

Thanks everyone for the messages! ;) I did not have a non rebreather mask, I am getting one on Monday from the O2 provider. I am guessing that will help. The oxygen has helped a couple of times, but I too use the Maxalt Mlt's when I can't slow the progression. Thank God it works well for me! I am also fortunate to have execellent insurance with my wife's company, so all these meds and oxygen have not cost us much at all.

Thanks again ;D :o