Went to see the Neurologist (Dr. Francis O’Donnell) in Westerville recommended by several people from the OUCH website with whom I communicated.  He is a board certified DO, Neurologist and shrink, Med school faculty, published, specializes in headaches and sees 10 to 15  CH sufferers a week.

Very efficient and courteous office staff.  I arrived 15 minutes early knowing there would be paper work.  Appointment at 11:30 AM.  Escorted to exam room precisely at 11:30 AM.  Quick blood pressure check and the doctor came in in under five minutes.

He’s a decent guy to chat with.  As with many physicians, he has his “tried and true” approach for a new patient and it involves Prednisone and nasal Lidocane, which they have prepared by a local pharmacy.

He absolutely agrees with Oxygen but he, nor any of the doctors in the practice will prescribe it for a current smoker.  I’m convinced that it is a corporate liability policy which I understand after 25 years in the healthcare industry.

I too am a former military pilot, very familiar with the risks of O2.  I don’t smoke inside the house nor in my car.  In an effort to reduce my cigarette use, I don’t even smoke anymore while sitting down.  He wouldn’t budge.  I went in with no intention of lying to him and already knew from his other patients that I probably would not be successful in getting an O2 prescription.

So, having had success with some overpriced recreational  99% Oxygen cans,  I am committed to a different approach---but I need some advice.  I am not planning to start the Prednisone---don’t like the side effects and am very familiar with the issues from treating my canines with it over the years.

If I head over to my local Tractor Supply, I can purchase any of several Welding O2 tanks at a relatively reasonable price and they provide lifetime exchange/refill.

Once I’ve done that  (I have read EVERYTHING on this site regarding O2 use)  I’ll need a regulator and a mask.  I need to be sure that the regulator I use fits the O2 tank valve.  I’m open to either the Optimask ™ or a demand regulator.

So, from the O2 experts on this site, please steer me toward the correct regulator which will fit the tank from Tractor Supply, please recommend some sources and the same for the demand regulator if that is what your recommend.

There is a lot of information on O2 available here, I just need someone to cut through the volume of information and tell me if I’m headed in the correct direction.  My biggest concern is whether or not a medical use O2 regulator fits on the Welders tank valve.

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Please, if possible recommend a source or two, even a specific part number.  I've visited several regulator sites and the variety of products is mind numbing.

Okay, I understand the 540 connection and the 25 lpm flow rate, so, is this the sort of regulator I'm looking for?

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Okay, so I'm in maximum "be prepared" mode.  I've ordered the Regulator, Optimask and picked up a #2 canister of Welders Oxygen (40 CF, $21 to refill).

I'm at or close to the end of my spring cycle, so even though it will take a few days for everything to get here, I'll be prepared for the next cycle.  If I never have another CH and never need to use this stuff it will still be money well spent and I still have a couple of cans of recreational O2 left.  Then I could always take up recreational welding.

I'll keep the nasal Lidocane around for emergencies but I am going to  pass on the Prednisone.  Perhaps my nine year old Chinook can use the steroid if her seasonal allergies flare up---it was pretty cheap.

I'm still struggling with the PREVENT piece and leaning toward the "mix" someone else suggested:

Kudzu - 1000 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)  
Magnesium - 250 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)  
St. John's Wort - 300 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)  
Skullcap - 425 mg at bedtime  
Melatonin - 10 mg at bedtime  

It's hard to judge what is working since I'm on the "down slope" but I have a sense that the Kudzu and Melatonin have limited my CHs.

I feel like a medieval alchemist here!