RichardN
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Hi & Welcome to Clusterville
First, no . . . no problem with the Prednizone and 02. I've never used Pred, but from those that have, my understanding is that the Pred taper works to prevent the attacks while another preventive (such as Verapamil) gets into your system for when you end the Pred taper. Did your doc prescribe another preventive?
Ok . . . re the 02. The non-rebreather mask (one with the bag) you'll get from the med supply will have openings on the side of the mask for exhaling . . . there will be a flat dime-size valve on one side . . . take it off and tape both sides. At 15 lpm, the bag will fill in about 4 1/2 seconds. Hold the mask tight to your face and inhale (till you get used to the rhythm, hold the bag so you can tell when it's empty) then exhale for 4-5 seconds (to allow the bag to refill). Since you've taped the exhale ports on the side of the mask . . . just crack the bottom of the mask a little for the exhales, then hold tight again for the inhales.
When all we had was the 1 litre non-rebreather mask you're going to get tomorrow . . . when wakened with a night hit, I suck the bag flat in about 1-1 1/2 seconds, then exhale for 4-5 seconds . . . when you feel the ramp ease, try and slow down your inhales so you're getting the 02 in the bag, PLUS the 15 lpm the regulator is delivering.
There will be a green strap attached to the mask . . . you can use it for hanging on your tank/regulator . . . or for use while driving . . . but NEVER, NEVER for use at night. What can happen? Say you get a bad hit at night . . . you hit the 02 . . . the major pain stops and you're able to lay back down and finish him off. If you have the mask strapped on, it's very easy to fall back asleep . . . and wake strangling for air when your tank runs out. If you hold the mask to your face and drift off, you'll just wake up with an empty tank.
This method will get you through until you can order/receive an Optimask ($27.50 . . . links on the site) with the big 3 litre bag which is a huge improvement over what you will get tomorrow . . . designed for clusterheads and has an inflated soft seal mask which guarantees 100% 02.
Remember . . . use at the first sign of attack for best results . . . when you feel it's going, you can cut back to 12 lpm and breathe normally till you finish him off. It does take a bit of practice. Try rubbing an ice pack (I like the gel type) all around the affected side (eye, face, neck, side of head). I have to keep moving the ice pack around . . . if I leave it in one place I get an additional shot of pain . . .. but maybe that's just me.
Order your Optimask
Be Safe, PFDANs
Richard
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