Well, I finally managed to get a script for `15lpm oxygen and they delivered the tank today.  They included a non-rebreather mask and 25' extension tubing.  I've read the oxygen info in the link on the left but I'm just wondering if there is anything else I should know.  Should I tape over the holes in the left side of the mask or just put my finger over it when breathing.  Should I exhale into the mask or remove it when exhaling?  Sorry if these questions seem a little daft but it took years for me to even get 02..  Also, the delivery guy said "15 lpm is very high, the tank won't last very long".  So what is the average time to breath it?  15 minutes?  If this actually works for me, it will be as close to a miracle as I dare hope for...  I guess I just want to hear how u guys use it and how well it works for you...

Thanks,
-Steve-

Cover the holes with either the tape or your fingers.  Doesn't matter.  Just cover them up.  You need 100% oxygen, with no outside air mixed in. 

Does your mask have a bag?  If so--good.  You need the reservoir to fill in order to get a good, deep huff of pure O2.

When I used a regular non-rebreather mask, I would remove the mask to exhale.  Now that you've got a bit of the good stuff, consider stepping up to a better mask.  I got an O2ptimask by Lifegas from the CH.com Store, designed specifically for CH users. (Link on the left side of your screen.)  The difference is amazing.

Breathing properly makes a big difference in how effective oxygen will be for you.  Breathe deeply, and hyperventilate.  Relax as much as possible.  I can abort in about 5 minutes or so.  I also stay on the oxygen afterwards for the same number of breaths it took me to abort.  Say--40 breaths to abort, and then 40 more to keep the thing killed good and dead.

You may end up going through a tank pretty quickly, but you'll find that the relief is cheap at any price. 

Congrats.  I think you'll like this.   :)

Best,

George

Thanks George.  I can tape over the holes with surgical tape.  I haven't (thank God) had anything more than shadow pain since the full-blown attack this morning at 5am, but I want to have the O2 ready to go for the next round.  Sometimes it's frustrating because I get ghost pains that can be pretty severe  but never tumble into a full blown CH, so it makes it hard to pinpoint that 'first sign'.

Thanks again,
-Steve-

Like George, I abort in about 6-10 minutes. I used to get come-backer attacks within about 10-20 minutes of shutting off the 02. Now I drink a can of Red Bull while I'm starting the 02. Literally breath...chug....breath...chug!!! Seems to prevent the comeback attacks. I use Sugar Free Red Bull but any of the drinks containing caffeine and taurine will do the same thing.

Lastly, when you feel the attack starting, don't go into denial, hope it's not really coming etc. Get on the 02. The faster I get on it, the faster and more completely it aborts. Praying it's the lifesaver for you it has been for me.

Joe

  What size?

        Potter

One more thing...when you can, get yourself a regulator that goes to 25 or even 45 lpm.  The difference is astounding.

Be sure to start at 15lpm, then once the pain is stopped, turn down to whatever lets you breathe normal for a few more minutes to keep the attack from coming right back.

The standard nonrebreather mask has a 1 liter bag and this is very easy to empty when hyperventalating, this can cause panic and that's not good. So if you find that you do empty the bag, I stongly suggest the O2pti mask with a 3 liter bag, it's a life saver.

Best of luck,   Don

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I'm still pain free at 7:15pm but this cycle they have been hitting me mostly when coming out of sleep with mild shadowpain all day. 
Potter, the size of the tank?  Not sure, but the order form says it's an m60 tank.
If this works for me (fingers crossed) I'll most definitely look into a better mask and a higher flow regulator.

-Steve-

Steve,

I'll second Linda's suggestion to get a 0-25 or 0-60 liter/minute oxygen regulator.  You can order a good 0-25 liter/minute regulator for $25 to $60 over the Internet. 

The 0-60 liter/minute regulator with DISS fitting for a demand valve will run $150 to $190 from Flotec.  Shoot me a PM and I can send you the ordering info as they build these regulators to order.

If you're having 3 or more attacks a day/24 hrs, you're going to need the larger 3,995 liter M-size oxygen cylinders.  I keep three of them on hand for a one month's supply at that rate.

The 25 foot oxygen extension tubing may look sexy, but the line loss at that length means you're actual flow rate at the mask will be much less than 15 liters/minute.  2 meters of oxygen tubing is usually sufficient.  Cut the straps off the disposable mask too... 

When you're ready, I'd also upgrade to one of the $27.50 O2PTIMASK™ kits here at the ch.com store.  A 3-liter reservoir bag and higher flow rates make a very big difference in abort times.

Here's a photo of my oxygen therapy kit.  As you can see I use both the O2PTIMASK and a demand valve.  They both work about the same in generating fast aborts, but each has its advantages.

The abort tally on that cylinder was at 30 and as I recall there was still over 500 psi left in the cylinder. 

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

The M-size cylinders usually run around $30 a refill so that works out to $1.00 to $1.50/abort.  With a 20% insurance co-pay ($6.00) my actual cost per abort is usually 20 to 25 cents...  No side effects either...

Regarding how long to stay on oxygen...  There's really no need to worry as most of us will run out of oxygen before there's any real problems.

You would need to breathe 100% oxygen for 10 to 12 hours continuously without any breaks breathing room air before starting to feel the symptoms of pulmonary oxygen toxicity... 

If it takes 20 to 30 minutes to abort a CH attack at 15 liters/minute... no biggie (flow rates ≥ 25 liters/minute will get your average aborts down to 7 minutes).  If your mouth gets dry, take a sip of water.

I flew Navy fighters for 15 years logging over 3,000 hours flight time.  All of that flight time was spent breathing 100% oxygen from takeoff to landing aboard the carrier on missions lasting over two hours with several extended missions over 7 hours.  I've also used oxygen therapy at flow rates well above 25 liters/minute for five years...  I'm still here at 65...  with an excellent quality of life thanks to oxygen therapy at flow rates that support hyperventilation.

You may want to check out the Supplemental User's Guide for Oxygen Therapy at START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE It will answer a lot of your questions.

Take care,

V/R, Batch