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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
        
(Message started by: dtruett on Sep 19^th, 2003, 7:09am)

Title: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by dtruett on Sep 19^th, 2003, 7:09am

I have two questions regarding oxygen (Jonny, I know you're out there):
1. Following advice here, I had my neuro write a Rx for a non-rebreather mask with humidifier. After getting delivery of a partial-rebreather, the next day I got into a spirited discussion with the head respiratory therapist for Apria. She said they don't use them as there is a danger of death from aspiration. I mentioned all of the postings on the site and she replied that folks here weren't doctors. Needless to say, I took umbrage. Her contention is that a partial delivers 100% oxygen. The nicer rt who came out said I was getting about 95% oxygen from it, and that I could get a non-rebreather. I do have a friend in the reserves and could get one. The mask I got does look like the one on the site and the picture Jonny Emailed me once. Opinions?
2. The guy who came out mentioned that some people with sleep apnia use an oxymizer that fits on the nose with two small resevoirs. It delivers a low flow-something like 2 liters-during sleep. Since I wake up a half hour EVERY time I fall asleep, I wonder if this might be useful. Anyone tried this?

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Jackie on Sep 19^th, 2003, 7:25am

Good Morning Don... :)

Check you mail....

Hugs,
Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Seiji on Sep 19^th, 2003, 10:06am

I have been a Respiratory Therapist for over 28 years. I have worked in home care and in Intensive care. One of the main reason they do not use Non-rebreather at home is the high o2 usage and that if you need 100% all the time you need to be in a hospital.
Your need for 100% will not need a humidifier. You only use it short term for time to time. The hazard you face using humidification is bacteria growth with occasional use. Besides you are only on the o2 for short periods so you do not need the humidifier.
And you can use the partial re-breather it will give you enough o2. just rember to use enough flow to keep the bag inflated.
Oh also if you are alert, not in a coma you don’t have to worry about aspirating in the mask if you feel that sick take the mask off.
Don’t think the optimizer will work in your case you need a high o2 concentration
And a nasal cannula do not offer that option

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Prense on Sep 19^th, 2003, 5:50pm

on 09/19/03 at 10:06:42, Seiji wrote:

The hazard you face using humidification is bacteria growth with occasional use. Besides you are only on the o2 for short periods so you do not need the humidifier.

And you can use the partial re-breather it will give you enough o2. just rember to use enough flow to keep the bag inflated.

Everything I have read here specifically states to use a non-rebreathing mask...I believe it is also specifically mentioned in the OUCH summary for this year. I'll have to double check.

The humidifier should be the patients choice.

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by dtruett on Sep 19^th, 2003, 7:00pm

Thanks for the good advice. The problem I have is with keeping the bag inflated. I guess I am not sure I am doing that. On inhaltion the bag depletes about 90%. The rt watched and told me it was OK, but noted that I was taking big breaths (always do during an attack). I work on not hyperventilating with the mask on, though. My flow is from 12-14 liters, pretty high. He did tell me every so often to plug the flow with my finger to let the bag reinflate. I just wonder if all is as it is supposed to be. I too have read nothing but advice to use a non-rebreather. That is the source of my confusion.
I forgot to mention earlier that the oxygen seems to shorten the 5s and below to 15 minutes, which is good. However, it is a pea shooter on the monsters. I had a 9 last night, and it didn't even touch it.
Jonny (oxygen king), are you out there?

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by jonny on Sep 19^th, 2003, 10:32pm

E-mail me an address and ill wing you off a mask or two.....fucking lunk heads dont knowth what they speak.....humidifier will help even if your only sucking for 15 mins....partial non-rebreather will not give you 100%......Ive been a clusterhead for 28 years....DUH....Ueli?

Fucking idiots

................................jonny

Title: ode to O2
Post by rumplestiltskin on Sep 19^th, 2003, 11:48pm

Some folks sure gots a lotta book learnin!

Bacteria growth? Nobody needs that! Yup... ya gotta keep the bubbler clean and water fresh. Forgive me if I choose to listen to prior advice and humidify my O2....every time I use it.

If 12 to 14 lpm don't keep yer bag full...man... you really suck! Suck on brother.

The cannules are crap for aborting...BUTT...it has been proposed here ,before by others, to use them during the night...I have never seen anyone show proof either way that it helps or hurts...so why not try it...and let us know....butt ...keep the bag ready for the dance.

My new rig blows the relief valve on the bubbler. How do you heavy suckers keep yer button from blowin?

And while we are kickin around O2 crap....I know the old O2 concentrator machines never put out the volume we need. I was told recently that they could put a couple of those O2 concentrators in series and produce 12 lpm. Anyone else heard a this?

This thread sucks
den

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Seiji on Sep 21^st, 2003, 4:22pm

yea you are right about the partial re-breather not giving 100% but it gives you high enough o2 to get ride of a head ache at least it does in my case.

o2 concentrators do not give out 100% the best they do is about 95-97% and the higher the flow the lower the concentration of o2.

using a humidifier thats your choice but all it does is humidify the o2 most times i am using the o2 for less than 10 min's or less so humidity is not a big issue

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by PeteJ3000 on Sep 24^th, 2003, 6:20pm

Hi evryone from england. I am in a non cluster cycle right now. Thank god I have been free of the curse for nearly 9 months. I do however get twinges. When i get the dull throb behind my right eye (always the right) i go immediately onto Oxygen. It works every time. Ok, I am lucky that I am O2 trained because I am a nitrox sport scuba diver and part of my kit is a 100% 3 litre O2 scuba cylinder which is pumped to 232 bar (i dont know what that is in psi for the americans amongust us). I also have a dedicated O2 clean regulator made by Oceanic. You cant use any old scuba reg on 100% O2 as it could explode. I dont use the paramedic version, just the standard O2 clean Scuba reg. Obviously there is a lot of wastage using this type of scuba reg because you are exhaling a lot of unused O2, so I conserve O2 by breathing gently. Another inportant thing is that one should not stay on 02 for more than 10 minutes at a time and then take a break for about half an hour. Doctors would say I am crazy diving if I suffer from Cluster, but I say I have only 1 life and I know the symptons so if the symptons are there I dont dive.
Another point is that I stopped totally drinking red wine and beer. If I was to take those drinks I guarantee in 15 minutes the curse would start. However, if I drink Armangnac (sp?) i find that i do not get the cluster comming on. Weard hey, and also very expensive !!!
If you live near a dive centre and have never tried O2, have a chat with the guys running the place and see if you can try it out at their shop if an attack starts. Hey, you might like it so much that you might take up a new sport, the sport of joining the fishes as a scuba diver.
Cheerio

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Not4Hire on Sep 24^th, 2003, 8:32pm

...greetings from Texas to PeteJ .... having just read (with INTEREST) your post about o2 and diving...and CH ...

...now, I am talking (almost) COMPLETELY outta my ass, because I don't know diddly about diving and all of the exotic gasses y'all use... but I want you to be REAL careful about your choice of words ...and your recommendations to folks who are NOT so well-trained. I am aware that with the proper training and the proper equipment, great things can be done.

But, in the hands of folks who don't KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, the simplest tool can cause great harm. I am sure that you know that SCUBA air is not pure OXYGEN. It's AIR: mixed with all we breathe--nitrogen, argon, ozone, carbon monoxide, methane(who farted?), and lots of other stuff.

ClusterHeads need pure o2, oxygen, the Nectar-that-usually-fucks-with-the-MOFO..... ya know? And divers probably know more about this than I do ...just be careful that your advice is DAMN clear about the DIFFERENCE....OK?

good luck and I'm REAL happy you find relief with o2....

best...Steve(N4H)

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Turts on Oct 1^st, 2003, 5:40am

Ive been having the same trouble. Neuro recoomended 02, rang home care company that supplies the 02 and asked about mask, they stated that they could not supply masks, but nasal prongs.

Now same as dtruett, this is against all info from Clusterheadaches and ouch.and 02 site?

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Not4Hire on Oct 1^st, 2003, 6:35am

...all I can say is get the same doctor who prescribed the o2, to prescribe the mask, and good luck!....

To (probably MIS) quote Bob Dylan: "...to live outside the LAW, you must be HONEST....."

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by ave on Oct 1^st, 2003, 12:35pm

If the doc will not and the O2 company will not, find a medical supply firm and buy the masks outright.

If the worst comes to the worst you can do without a non rebreather mask (I do myself), and use just a nose-and-mouth-mask.

What I do is lift the mask at the lower side just a little when I breathe out. A slight overbite helps!

Also, I would strongly advise against getting into a situation (as in a dive) where you cannot escape quickly (as in getting of the water RIGHT NOW)
In a serious attack you need to get get to your medication quickly; you also may become a danger to yourself and others if you do not know what you are doing any more (as happens in a kip 9 or 10).

Use your brains, guys!

Title: Re: Oxygen masks & Oxymizer
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Oct 1^st, 2003, 3:25pm

Link to non rebreathing mask:

http://www2.mooremedical.com/index.cfm?PG=CTL&CS=HOM&FN=ProductDetail&PID=4269

Also, info and links can be found here:

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

Good luck!
Mast