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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
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Message started by red ryder on Nov 6th, 2009 at 3:20pm

Title: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by red ryder on Nov 6th, 2009 at 3:20pm
Finaly got my oxygen setup e tank, non rebreather optimask, regulator 25 lmp. I have read all the oxygen info to the left, but have some questions.

(1)What would you suggest as a first timer for lpm to start with. My regulator goes up to 25 lpm.
(2)What effects should I be looking for besides reduction of pain. lightheaded, tingling etc...
(3)At what point do you turn the flow rate down to conserve 02 durring use. and what do you guys reduce it to.
(4) do you usualy get a full abort, only to have it come back 30-40 minutes later as a first time user?

Thanks for any help and I am praying this works tonight at my usual 9:30 PM hit.

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by Martin on Nov 6th, 2009 at 3:22pm
One good thing about clusters can be their predictability.  Battle on!

(I don't have 02 yet, can't help out) Read the OXYGEN INFO on the left there. i think it answers the questions

"When and how long to use the O2
Grab the O2 as SOON as you feel it coming on.  Speed is the name of the game.  The sooner you get on the O2, the better the success rate.  Stay on it for 15 to 20 minutes.  If it has not killed the hit, stop using it. Bear through 10 minutes without the O2, and then hit it again.  If the O2 does not work the first time, the second time is almost always the charm for me.  Something about that 10 minute break seems to do it, for me.
You don’t need to stay on it for the full 20 minutes, if it stops the hit well before that time.  BUT, stay on it for 5 minutes AFTER the last of the pain is gone.  The first and last place I have pain is just above my cheek bone, at my temple.  I press my finger into that spot, and if I still feel some pain, I stay on the O2.
Trial and error will let you know what works best for you."

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by TO2TKA on Nov 6th, 2009 at 4:08pm
First night ... enjoy it  ::)
1. my suggestion is 15 lpm. If no effect in 5 mins, go up 25 lpm
2.
Quote:
Hyperventilation can, but does not necessarily always cause symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands, feet and lips, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, chest pain, slurred speech and sometimes fainting, particularly when accompanied by the Valsalva maneuver. Sometimes hyperventilation is induced for these same effects. (Wikipedia)

3. O2 kills my beast in 3 mins (at 30-40 lpm) and I turn off O2 immediately but recommended to stay on O2 for 5 mins at 7-10 lpm
4. my HA returns after 1.5 hours (sometimes 4-6 times a night in mid-cycle) but it is not rebound, it's normal attack

Good luck First Time Rider Ryder!

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by Dallas Denny 62 on Nov 6th, 2009 at 5:32pm
I've just got a 15 lpm reg and a non rebreather....keep it right by where I'm sleepin and knock out the vast majority of my hits in 5 - 8 min. I usually keep breathin it for about 2 or 3 minutes after the pain in gone.   Like a previous poster I usually get hit again in 90 min in mid cycle but again, not rebounds just nature of my beast.

On a positive note, I turned in all my rental tanks today and am now down to just the E tank that I own.  Only 2 hits in last 4 days!!!   Yeeeee Hawwww!!! The beast has been beaten into submission one more time....I think......knock on wood.....

Hope it works for you as well as is does for me and so many others here.

Wishin you PFDAN's

Dallas Denny

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by Skyhawk5 on Nov 6th, 2009 at 10:59pm
1st. SET UP straight so you don't restrict your lungs, then hyperventalate the O2.

If you do the above the setting should be high enough so you don't empty the bag during a breath. I advise trying your best to empty it, this will give the fastest abort.

Don't worry about anything but aborting the hit. You will not pass out even if you do feel tingling etc. Believe me I and others have tried.

Once the pain has stopped, continue breathing at a normal rate and reduce the setting to a point where you are comfortable. I go to 8lpm then even lower. 4-6 for a few minutes more.

When used properly I get a full abort. When in peak cycle another hit does come sooner or later. But this is still much better than having one full blown attack.

You have the tools and you will learn to use it to your advantage. I personally start at 25lpm, but you MAY not need to.

Kick some beast butt,   Don

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by Aussie6330 on Nov 7th, 2009 at 1:33am
Ah the God send of O2.  All I can tell you is what works for me.  As SOON as I feel the burning in my right eye......Straight to the O2 at 25lpm.  This aborts my hits in 3 - 5 min.  I remain on O2 for another 5 min....... AND.....unlike a lot of fellow sufferers, I get NO REBOUND.
As far as recommendations go........start at the highest setting......you can always dial back later once you find it works.  Ask your Doc for a course of Prenisone tapered over 2 weeks with Verapamil as a preventative.  This is the treatment that has worked for me and as a result have been relatively pain free for the last 4 weeks, with only the afternoon shadows that are more of an annoyance. (this I can live with)
Final word..........O2 is a great abortive but the real trick is to find a preventative............I WISH YOU LUCK MY FRIEND.

Archie

Title: Re: 1st night with 02 a couple of questions
Post by Weatherman on Nov 7th, 2009 at 1:48am
For me it's 15lpm. I do not hyperventilate. I just breath steady and deep. This aborts my hit in less than 10 minutes. Never had any tingling or dizziness or any other negative effects. I give it 5 minutes after aborting just to make sure. No rebounds for me with O2.
Congrats and best of luck with your new weapon!

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