Posted by sonya (216.9.206.37) on January 06, 2001 at 23:33:29:
In Reply to: Anybody out there using oxygen therapy for clusters? posted by Liz on January 06, 2001 at 15:43:51:
you need to use a face mask.... and you use between
8 liters to 10 liters per minute and so you need a big
j size tank. Or they think they might have one smaller that
i think is called an M tank. It depends on the rental place that
does your oxygen. It takes about 10 minutes before you feel the
oxygen "break" your attack at that high level... then stay on it for
about 10 more minutes. Also, i found being on verapamil is helpful, but
takes about 3 weeks to work. I finally got some shots in the back of my
brain called octi-blockers.... which worked. but your ch's should be
treated by a neurologist who KNOWS. Can your doctor refer you to one? Most
regular doc's don't know and think 2 liters per minute cause that's what they
give people who have oxygen related problems. The good thing about oxygen, once
you know how to use it, it's a great way to break an attack.
Again, 8 to 10 liters per minute, lay back and breathe in with face mask cause the nostril
tubes could break your nose capilaries at that high level. Give it a miniumum of 10 minutes and
stay on it for about another 10 minutes. YOu can't stay on it for hours at that level cause you could
get oxygen toxitity (don't worry, pretty tough to do... i use my tank ALL the time before shots).
And get some verapamil pills. I take one at breakfast, one at lunch, and one at dinner time and two at bed.
But... you have to go on this pill slowly and off slowly. You start with 2 pills, then 3 pills, then if you have
to.. up it. A neuro will KNOW all this. Kinda tricky stuff. Get a neuro.
good luck.