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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> a little O2 info if you please.....
        
(Message started by: CindyC on Nov 14^th, 2003, 10:04pm)

Title: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by CindyC on Nov 14^th, 2003, 10:04pm

My husband is a clusterhead. He is finding some relief in O2. My concern is that for the last 2 days he is on the bottle every hour for about 15 minutes @7 lpm. Is this too much? Or I guess I should ask...is this safe?

I also read in a message board that a mask should be disinfected once a week to keep bacteria from forming and possibly causing sinus infections. Do you just clean it with soap and water...or is there a better way?

Thanks
CindyC

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by Prense on Nov 14^th, 2003, 10:20pm

Antibacterial soap and warm water should work just fine. Also, my O2 supply will give me a new mask once a month...if I ask for it. In addition to the mask, the humidifier (if used) needs to be cleaned regularly as well.

The prolonged usage question really should be answered by a doc. I can tell you that I use 12 lpmx 15 minutes every couple of hours with no problems so far. I honestly couldn't advise you on the usage...best bet is to check with the doc, the O2 company or even your local fire dept. Make sure you tell them what kind of mask he is using.

Good luck!
Chris

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by CindyC on Nov 14^th, 2003, 10:37pm

Thanks for the reply Chris!
Got no doctor, got no medical O2 supplier.
Long story short...we are winging it!
With alot of help from these folks here!
CindyC

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by Margi on Nov 14^th, 2003, 11:03pm

Hi Cindy
I'm no oxygen expert, but we use welders oxygen here. Mike is the clusterhead, I'm a migrainer.

We use a 10 - 12 lpm flow rate for about that length of time, too - we survive it.

I think as long as you don't let him fall asleep with it on, he'll be ok. But, as I said, I'm no expert. There are some much more knowledge o2 gurus here - maybe post your question on the general board as well.

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by ave on Nov 15^th, 2003, 10:30am

Cindy, maybe if you used a stronger setting of the valve, he would not have to sit at it so long - just a thought.

apart from that, hang tough

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by Prense on Nov 15^th, 2003, 11:09am

You got a local fire dept. They are trained to administer O2 and should have pertinent info to be able to answer your questions. Wouldn't hurt to ask. ;;D

Keep on wangin' it! ;;D

Chris

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by CindyC on Nov 15^th, 2003, 11:29am

Margi...
We are using welders O2. It took a few days to round up a regulator w/ flow meter and a non-R mask.
Have you ever had any trouble with the non medical O2. Our tank is not very big...and I wonder at what point the gas supplier is going to wonder why I am filling it every couple of days?
CC

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by BobG on Nov 15^th, 2003, 9:14pm

Cindy, if the welding O2 supplier wants to know what you're doing with all the O2 tell them you're helping me build a street rod. That takes a lot of welding. They can come and look in my garage if they don't believe you.

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by CindyC on Nov 15^th, 2003, 9:40pm

Bob G...
Hey now there is a thought!
I have already told them I am making jewelry...can I graduate to building cars that fast! lol
CC

Title: Re: a little O2 info if you please.....
Post by pubgirl on Nov 16^th, 2003, 5:46am

Dear Cindy

Usual thing about not being a Doctor but I am an 02 user.

I find if I use at 7l/min it either doesn't abort, or takes a long time. I hit hard at 12-15l/min and find if it is going to abort, it will do so in less than 10 mins. I think Prense and Ave's suggestion to try a higher flow therefore makes sense.

Another tip I learned at OUCH was to take a tablet form triptan (e.g. Imigran, Zomig, Frova) as I start the 02, partly because they are miles cheaper here and easy to get from the Docs, but also because on their own they are useless for me as they are too slow. I take the tablet because if the 02 doesn't work, or I get a 'bounce back' headache, the oral triptan has begun to work by then.
I can then reserve my 'hard to get' (or in your case expensive) version of Imigran (I have the nasal) for when I am really in trouble.

As for how much 02 you can use and how often, this has been debated a lot and I don't remember there ever being a solid and definitive answer.
Hopefully if you crank it up a bit your hub may use it less times , less often.

Here's hoping :)

Wendy

P.S. Not really answering your question but may be useful generally.
The Institute of Neurology trial in London (Goadsby's mob) stipulates 15 minutes at 12 lites per minute. They and BOC (who provide most of the 02 used here) also say that there is no problem staying on the 02 for 20-25 minutes.