Posted by NickD (24.241.112.117) on April 23, 2001 at 13:38:29:
In Reply to: 02 used improperly can trigger a CH????? posted by jonny on April 23, 2001 at 11:58:37:
My neuro explained to me that raw O2 on the sensitive inflamed nasal passages can be an irritant to some people and exacerbate a CH, but don't take my word for it contact Dr. Serenson at the Marshfield Clinic and ask him for yourself, frankly, I get a little impatient with some of the posts on this board, as if you didn't hear about something, it doesn't exist kind of thing, just displaying your ignorance on the subject.
Also as part of the O2 prescription it is part of my clinics protocol to spend time with a respiratroy therapist before the tanks were issued including tank safety items, location, things like a tipped tank can knock off the valve and send the tank through you, a loved one, or a wall, also fire safety requirements, I did sign a disclaimer so they wouldn't staple no smoking signs all over my home.
Also the dangers of excess O2 were explained, in particular depletion of blood nitrogen levels causing bends, augmenting the headache, accelerated aging and cell damage with long term use, and in some rare cases, even death if used improperly, I had to sign documentation that I fully understood the use of O2, this was 15 years ago, and I don't recall all the details, but I assumed this was standard operating procedure before using O2 at home without the aid of a medical person. You cannot not legally use O2 without a prescription and the prescription includes proper training in it's use. For the first several weeks, a therapist came out to my home to answer any questions and check that I was using the equipment properly, this tapered off to once every six weeks, both for them to check the equipment and to monitor my blood pressure and pulse to note any significant changes. I thought this was basic and everyone on this board that uses O2 went through the same thing. I have been successfully using O2 for over 15 years without any adverse effects. O2 can fry a brain, and sometimes I wonder.