Posted by Ueli (194.230.18.12) on August 31, 1999 at 09:02:01:
In Reply to: Help un use of Oxygen posted by Anthony Berry on August 31, 1999 at 06:26:44:
Hi Anthony,
MOST important thing: get on the oxygen as SOON as possible, at the very first precursors of an oncoming CH. Every minute lost here pays back in length and intensity of the attack!
Also very important is the type of MASK. Those two little tubes to put into your nostrils are of almost no use at all. Many masks intended for people with lung disease have some holes near the O2 inlet, designed so that the O2 jet sucks in some air and dilutes the O2 (remember Venturi from the physics lessons?). Not very useful for us, and if you cannot get hold af a better one at least close the additional hole around the oxygen inlet with some sticky tape.
Masks I would recommend:
A mask that does not suck in additional air:
Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Airlife Adult Oxygen Mask, Cat. No. 001201
A non-rebreathing mask with an additional reservoir bag at the intake that refills between breathing:
Salter Labs, Oxygen Mask, REF 8130
Recommended flow rate: Usually given as 7 to 8 liter/min, but some go to 10 or 15 l/m. In my experience, using the non-rebreathing reservoir mask, I can go below 7 l/m and still get the full dose.
How often: Go for it for every attack, but if it doesn't abort in 15 to 20 min it may be it makes no sense to stay on it much longer. Read what DocGreg had to say on possible risk of O2 use in his post of April 21st.
Some people take their abortive meds and until it kicks in go on O2.
An other hint: Use a very LONG hose. When you get out of the warm bed into the cold night air you'll probably fell an urge to go to the bathroom, but go on the O2 FIRST, and the long hose will let you take care of the other business while sucking O2. It also gives you freedom for pacing (and something to stumble over in case the cat is out of house).
Much success with oxygen and PFNAD's
Ueli