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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
        
(Message started by: violet on Nov 21^st, 2003, 4:23pm)

Title: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by violet on Nov 21^st, 2003, 4:23pm

I'm going to try sleeping with O2 all night long, as many of my episodes occur while I'm sleeping. I have obtained an O2 concentrator. Any opinions out there?
Thanks,
Vi

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by BobG on Nov 21^st, 2003, 5:26pm

My opinion is go ahead and try it, can't hurt. The concentrator can't put out enough to do anything but dry your nose/throat.

First thing to do is click on the 'oxygen info' button on the left side of the screen and read all about O2.

To use O2 to stop a cluster attack you'll need a tank/regulator/non-rebreather mask that will delivery 8 to 12 LPM.

If you get the tank/regulator/mask setup, DO NOT sleep with it on. The mask will have a strap on it.....cut it off so it will fall away from your face should you fall asleep with it on.

Best of luck to you.

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by Cluster_head on Nov 21^st, 2003, 5:57pm

on 11/21/03 at 17:26:49, BobG wrote:

The concentrator can't put out enough to do anything but dry your nose/throat...To use O2 to stop a cluster attack you'll need a tank/regulator/non-rebreather mask that will delivery 8 to 12 LPM.

The concentrator I have goes from 2 LPM to 10 LPM. Just so you know, there are some units that are big enough. I still like the bottle better though. ;)

I wouldn't want to sleep with it anyway though. My sinuses get real dry from the O2.

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by BobG on Nov 21^st, 2003, 6:03pm

I stand corrected. The last I had heard was the concentrators were only good for about 6LPM. Thanks Cluster_Head.

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by HannahFroukje on Nov 26^th, 2003, 3:14pm

As far as I know oxygen is toxic, and shouldn't be used for more then 15 minutes or half an hour max. It disturbs the balance of your bloodgasses. Ofcourse it's relatively harmful but it doesn't sound real safe to me, also because of the fire risk when there's a spark somewhere. I wouldn't feel safe if I didn't have someone checking on me when I slept.

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by NewHeadPLZ on Nov 26^th, 2003, 3:35pm

I use the concentrator myself, and have tried sleeping with a mask on. Mask always falls off

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by Not4Hire on Nov 26^th, 2003, 5:41pm

on 11/26/03 at 15:14:20, HannahFroukje wrote:

Hannah...Hannah!.... you've NOT been reading *CLOSELY* the info on the o2 button (at the left)..... as far as toxicity, o2 *is* technically toxic, but try breathing anything else mixed with nitrogen... I'm pretty sure your last breath will be to say: damn, bad idea....

...you've been breathing oxygen since the moment of birth and I think it's not all that bad... It disturbs the balance of your bloodgasses. my dear, THAT IS THE WHOLE FREAKIN' POINT.... and why it is more effective to more people than any other substance (save Imitrex, which has LOTS of side effects, some cumulative)...

Ofcourse it's relatively harmful but it doesn't sound real safe to me, also because of the fire risk when there's a spark somewhere. I wouldn't feel safe if I didn't have someone checking on me when I slept.

...I think you meant harm*less* but the fire risk is minimal if one uses common sense.... and reads the SAFETY section on that danged button over there<<<<

...and NObody wants ANYbody to sleep and use the amount of oxygen needed to abort a CH attack.... like you COULD sleep under attack!....sheesh!

...I guess I just gotta say: a LITTLE knowledge is a DANGEROUS thing.... a LOT of study is the only way WE are gonna kick the MOFO's ass.....

good luck....Steve(N4H)

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by HannahFroukje on Nov 27^th, 2003, 9:24am

I had written some back but never mind.

It was just my personal opinion you know ... you could have used another tone of voice. Would have been clear enough you know .... :-/ :-/ :-/
... my dear.

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by Not4Hire on Nov 27^th, 2003, 6:01pm

i'm sorry you took me wrong.... it's very difficult....no, impossible, to convey*tone* (unless you are Shakespeare or Faulkner or Hunter S Thompson) .... i'm NOT any of those...

read the words... and like that guy in montgummerry. texas... sez:

take what ya need....leave the rest....

:(

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by pubgirl on Nov 27^th, 2003, 6:41pm

For what it's worth this may be a 'language thing' maybe. :-/

It is bound to be jumped on here Hannah when you describe one of the main treatments CH sufferers use as 'toxic' and 'harmful' [smiley=huh.gif]

Personal opinion is a good thing but rather dangerous if applied to medical advice to sufferers with no personal experience involved.

Incidentally, the Institute of Neurology has said that 30 minutes even at very high flow rates is not harmful (but probably pointless as if the attack is not aborted by the 02 by then, for most sufferers it will probably reach it's natural end soon anyway)

Wendy

Title: Re: sleeping with O2 - what do you think?
Post by HannahFroukje on Nov 28^th, 2003, 1:26am

Don't get me wrong (too) ... I'm sure the "risks" of O2 are nothing compared to the relief it might give you. For this I have to excuse myself, I mean it's true, I'm not the one in pain you know. Here at home HE's the one in pain ... I am used to my (other) role of having to be the one that looks at the "other" stuff: can it hurt him, is it wise ... what will it do in the long term could we try something else ... stuff like that. I didn't mean to sound paternizing (spelled wrong, I'm sure), if I came round that way, sorry 'bout that.

So the first was just a personal opinion. You never know what's happening in your home when you're asleep. Personally ... and I really just really mean personally ... I would not feel safe when I would have oxygen flowing in my room all night. But I am a chicken when it comes to fire and explosions (I didn't marry a fireman for nothing, I bet). But hey, again, I'm not the one that's been through this, perhaps if would feel it myself I couldn't care less if ... right? Point made, point taken.

The second I brought up because Jos' doctor (lung-person) made him take a test first to see if he as a heavy smoker still had healthy enough lung tissue to be able to take in all that oxygen. And lots of CH are heavy smokers, and can have latent respiratory trouble. The disturbance of bloodgasses might be the whole (freakin') point, but if there's something wrong in your lungs, what then? I would be a bit careful with that even though it's potentially harmless (yep, not harmFULL I mean).

Then again: I wish those who benefit from oxygen all the relief they can get! Let's just be glad this was discovered that oxygen helps.