Clusterheadaches.com Message Board (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> welders O2 setup questions
(Message started by: IndianaJohn on Aug 18th, 2004, 12:54pm)

Title: welders O2 setup questions
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 18th, 2004, 12:54pm
Hi all,

well I was denied O2 by my GP so I have to get some welders O2.  I was having questions as to what kind of tank to get, regulator, etc.  I am somewhat experienced with compressed gases from my job, but I would appreciate any advice you could give.  I'm just not experienced with O2 tanks and the kind of regulator to get etc..

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

John

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Prense on Aug 18th, 2004, 2:03pm
John,

Shoot jonny a PM asking this.  I am not sure how often he visits the med board.  He'll have all the info you need.

Chris

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:25pm
Jonny can customize regulators.

Or you can just use a welding regulator as I do. I use a 1/2" acrylic hose secured with a hose clamp, and just suck from the tube, turning the regulator on and off with each hit. I found more success with this method than using the mask. It's hard enough to suck off a tube when getting hit... The mask makes me crazy...

It's around $200 to buy an E tank (filled) and a simple O2 regulator. Refills are $18 here,,, And I can squeeze about 20 ha's out of an E tank. Your mileage may vary.

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Margi on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:42pm

on 08/18/04 at 17:25:01, Superpain wrote:
It's around $200 to buy an E tank (filled) and a simple O2 regulator. Refills are $18 here,,, And I can squeeze about 20 ha's out of an E tank. Your mileage may vary.


Chris, you're making an E tank last for TWENTY ha's??  How long does it take to abort your attacks, or is that a typo??  Aren't the E tanks the little ones?  Just over a foot tall?  Man, those little things only last Mike about 3 attacks.  We bought an S tank - it stands about 4' tall and much larger diameter.  At peak of cycle, an S tank will MAYBE get him through 20 hits.  I know I was refilling that sucker every week this last cycle.  He gets hit normally 2 - 3 times a day at peak, sometimes more.  

Mike used to just "huff" off the tube too and figured the mask would drive him nuts as well.  But once he got used to it, it's been WAY more successful if he does use the mask.  He sometimes just holds it to his face instead of strapping it on though.  

20 ha's out of an E tank??  Seriously??

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by E-Double on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:48pm

Quote:
20 ha's out of an E tank??  Seriously??


I use an E tank as well that got me through14 hits....

If oxygen isn't aborting after 10 -15 minutes I'll put it down and try again.

Plus if you turn it on and off you conserve.

I know I'm not Chris but maybe the same....

E

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Prense on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:51pm
Well, I am wondering too.  I found that 12-13lpm for 15 minutes would kill an E tank in 5 hits.

Chris

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:51pm
Margi, it's mainly  because of turning the valve on and off with each hit, I waste no O2 at all.
With my method I can normally kill a headache in less than 5 minutes or about 25 hits. Sometimes stubborn ones will take up to 60-70 hits, and if it's not gone by then I just tough it out or take a shot.
An E tank is about 3 ft tall with 2000 psi in it full. I use about 100 psi on average for a headache.

The key for me is getting as much O2 as quickly as possible, and the welding regulator allows me to intake it very quickly.

I've noticed that everyone else reports having to use it for alot longer... I'd be very interested to hear from anyone using the technique I describe to see if they can achieve the same results. I wonder if it's the technique that works so quickly, or if O2 just works quickly for me.

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:53pm

on 08/18/04 at 17:51:11, Prense wrote:
Well, I am wondering too.  I found that 12-13lpm for 15 minutes would kill an E tank in 5 hits.

Chris

That's because you have the O2 at a constant flow, thus alot of wastage.
Turning the valve on and off insures I get ALL the O2 and none is wasted.

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Prense on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:54pm
At the rate I gave above, I cannot deflate the bag...even when I try.  That said, I could not possibly take in O2 at a faster rate.

Chris

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:55pm
How long does it take you to kill a headache?

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Prense on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:57pm
O2 only aborted about 35-40% of the time for me.  From that amount, it took about 12-15 minutes.

Chris

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Margi on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:57pm

on 08/18/04 at 17:48:23, E-Double wrote:
I use an E tank as well that got me through14 hits....

If oxygen isn't aborting after 10 -15 minutes I'll put it down and try again.
E


I'm still confused though.  Maybe the naming of the tank sizes is different in Canada.  ARE the E tanks you're talking about, just over a foot tall and, what, maybe four inches in diameter?  If so, what flow rate are you guys using?

Mike also knows that if 10-15 minutes pass with no abort, it's not working.  It normally aborts for him at right around 10 minutes.  And yes, of course, tank is off when not in use. (except for the time I tried it and, accidentally, didn't turn it all the way off.  ooops. ::))

edit:  sorry, didn't see your posts.  Yes, naming of tanks is different then.  Your E tank is what we call an M tank here.  Sorry - just ignore me. :)

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 5:59pm
I can't stand to mess with it for more than 5 minutes, 10 at the most.

Sucks it only works part of the time for you. :(

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 6:01pm
Margi, an E tank is about 3 ft tall, probably hip high to you, and about 6 or 8 inches in diameter.

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Prense on Aug 18th, 2004, 6:08pm
Makes sense what you're saying, but that sounds like a pain in the ass.

Chris

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 18th, 2004, 6:20pm
I guess it might be... But only having one E tank I prefer to conserve. I got caught once or twice on Sunday with an empty bottle and no shops open. :o That sucks...

And if I have my choice I'll take pain in my ass over my head everytime. ;)

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Biker on Aug 18th, 2004, 10:57pm
I use a welding regulator for the oxygen flow.  From the regulator, I have a 6ft. hose 1/4".  Standard welding hose.  On the end of the hose, I placed a thumb acutated valve I purchased at an auto parts store.  The kind of valve mechanics use to blow compressed air with.  I can set the regulator (screw it in for more pressure, out for less) pretty high when I first feel the twinge.  With a press of my thumb, I can inflate my lungs pretty fast.  As the HA begins to go away, I reduce the pressure, and breath normal using oxygen.  Its kind of a pattern.  Press, inhale.   Press, inhale.  There is no waste of gas.  If I doze off, the valve keeps the oxygen where it belongs (in the bottle).  The welders hose will hold a good 500psi, and the most I ever ran  the regulator up to is about 150.  I might suggest you get the nozzle with a rubber tip.    I use a regular C tank for my ox/acteylene set, (have used it for emergencies alot)  a  Q  tank thats attached to the wall beside my bed, and a little bitty D tank that I can carry around pretty easy.  The welding regulator fits all standard welders oxygen tanks.     If I knew where to send it, I would email a picture.   Leasing the tanks, purchasing the regulator,  having the hose made to your specs, and the compressed air nozzle is the expensive part.  Refilling the bottles runs about 10 bucks for my large tank.  My medium tank runs about 9 bucks to fill, and will take care of mulituple headaches per day for nearly 2 weeks.  I have lived off my oxygen tanks (at least if felt that way).  For under 300 bucks, you should be set with everything except the occasional re-fillings.  

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Alan on Aug 19th, 2004, 9:08am
IndianaJohn,

The tanks I got from my local welding shop - $99 for the small and $149 for the large.  The refill charge is roughly $15  and $25 respectively.  How long do they last?  Well, I guess that's all relative now, isnt it? :-)

The regulator I got from EBay - about $45 bucks.  I made sure the one I got is medical grade, and regulates 0-15 LPM and that it already had the proper fittings to adapt to the welding tanks.  If yours doesnt come with the proper fittings, your welding shop can hook you up.

The mask and water filter (bubbler) you can get from your local medical supply store (check your yellow pages).  They more than likely will call the bubbler a "humidifier".  Fill this sucker only about 1/3 full, or you will be taking a snort full of water at 11 LPM!

The reason I have two tanks is: one is for backup when the other is being filled, and I also use the smaller one for travel.

Hope this helps!
Alan

p.s.  if you need a pic of my setup, e-mail me.  I tried to upload this pic, evidently I must be computer challenged.....  Alan@MyriadMfg.com

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Superpain on Aug 19th, 2004, 4:41pm
You may be able to get fittings at the welding shop but they can't "hook you up". Unless you know someone they probably will not do business with you if they find out you are using it for medical purposes...

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Jonny on Aug 19th, 2004, 4:57pm
Just buy the fittings and convert it yourself ...GSA-540 connector, 3"X1/4" NPT stem and some teflon tape ::)
NPT--National pipe Thread <<<<*Important!*

John...Pm me and I'll set you up just fine.

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

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 21st, 2004, 9:59pm
Thanks to all of you for posting, I really appreciate it.  As soon as I get some $$$ I'll be getting a tank.  I had to pay for my son's tuition this week to college so I'm pretty well screwed this week.  Hey, gotta stick to the priorities.....


Anyway thanks for all the input!

PFDAN to All

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by Redrum on Aug 24th, 2004, 4:18pm

on 08/18/04 at 12:54:04, IndianaJohn wrote:
Hi all,

well I was denied O2 by my GP so I have to get some welders O2....... John


I say get a new GP!  I got my precription, it's nice having good equipment and a constant supply of O2 delivered. Its even nicer having my insurance pay for it.

If your insurance will cover it, I would find a doctor who will prescribe the O2.  From what I've heard if your paying your own way the welders tank is the cheaper way to go.

Title: Re: welders O2 setup questions
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 30th, 2004, 9:01pm
Bump for reference



Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.