Hi All

     New cycle started 2 weeks ago. Thought I had a few weeks to prepare but attacks are getting more frequent and mostly at night. Shadowing most of the day. Still using a small 3 LPM O2 system but it works great. Don’t know if it’s because I’m just starting a new cycle and they are still weak. Not taking any chances, I use Otrivin nasal spray to clear any nasal congestion I may have before I put the nose prongs in. At the first sign of an attack this works and the beast runs away. (The first time it worked I extended my 2 middle fingers to him on my way back to bed). I have a system (as per the Oxygen info here) on the way but don’t know if I should change. Does the current system work because they are not full fledged yet and is the change in systems going to work? I know from experience they are gong to get more frequent and last longer but I can’t tell at this point what is happening, because I can abort with the O2. Don’t want to stop the O2 to find out. So my question is this, if a low flow rate is working and I switch to a high flow rate will the results change? If I don’t change and the attacks are weak now and get stronger will I suffer? I was told by ProResp that if you use a high flow regulator you can’t lower the flow less than 10 LPM and won’t be able to use the nose prongs. I am thinking that the new system should be better in any case and it can only work better. But I also always say don’t fix something that is not broke.

Any feedback on this would be appreciated.
Bud

Buy a mask.

      Potter

I think it would be a really good idea to have a high flow/non rebreather system there on standby, ready in case you need it.

For the first week of my more recent episodes I have gotten away with weaker aborting methods such as lower flow O2, but as things intensify I find myself having to huff at 45 LPM to get relief.

I did have an episode or two in the early years (like 25 years ago) where 10 LPM actually consistently worked for me.

My guess is if I ever used a regulator I'd get away with a 10 LPM flow rate. I exhale completely, inhale as full as I can on the 02, and hold it for 30 seconds to a minute, then repeat. I use a demand valve so I don't know what that would equate to on a flow rate, but suspect based on total volume it would be low.

So you can stay with a low flow rate for now if it works, but as potter mentioned, get a Non re breather mask rather then the canulas so you know your lungs are just getting 02. And better to score a high flow set up and have it on hand, then to get slammed with a high K and have no relief.

Joe

Bud wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 5:37pm:

I was told by ProResp that if you use a high flow regulator you can’t lower the flow less than 10 LPM and won’t be able to use the nose prongs.

This will very much depend on the regulator. I've got one that will go up to 25lpm and I can select lower rates from 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 25.

This is a regulator from BOC here in NZ, but I suspect they are just using a standard one with their own branding on it.

And I'd skip using the nose prongs and grab a non-rebreather mask as the others have said.

I'm the kinda guy who likes to have options and fallbacks. So even if the canula and low flow rate are working now, it wouldn't hurt to have another option. You've been given great advice, I suggest you arm yourself with some new stuff. And that thing about the regulator-was he saying it starts at 10lpm? Why wouldn't it go lower? I've not seen one like that myself, but....anyway, best wishes and prayers for pf days and nights! lance

     Thanks all for the good advise, the Royal ProResp person is coming tonight, so I'l just see what she has for me and go from there, your advise will help me in my decision.

Hey Potter, I am retired Military myself, I take orders very well, going to get the mask. READY AYE READY

Thanks again
Bud