why does O2 stop working. i've been in this cycle a month now. I have it set on 12, am i doing anything wrong? can anybody help? :'(

jimmy wrote on Sep 9^th, 2010 at 10:22pm:

why does O2 stop working. i've been in this cycle a month now. I have it set on 12, am i doing anything wrong? can anybody help? :'(

Have you read the oxygen instructions on the left - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Are you using 12 litres per minute or 12 psi? People find that higher flow rates often help.

Are you using a non-rebreather mask?

thanks for your reply Mike. I am using an rebreather mask that i've had for a while and my reg is set at 12lpm. should i try for a higher reg? :)

jimmy wrote on Sep 9^th, 2010 at 10:58pm:

thanks for your reply Mike. I am using an rebreather mask that i've had for a while and my reg is set at 12lpm. should i try for a higher reg? :)

If you're using a rebreather mask than that might explain the problem. You need to be breathing in just oxygen with each breath and no carbon dioxide that you've previously exhaled.

Many people here have reported quicker and / or more success using higher flow rates. I'd have a look through the other oxygen related topics here and you'll find lots of posts discussing it.

thanks again mike. i meant to say i have a non=rebreather mask. guess i'll keep reading.

A non-rebreather mask has a bag on it. It also has little vents on the side, these must have round rubber discs that close when you breathe in or you must seal the ones that don't.

The best O2 mask available is called the O2PTI and is available here on the CH.com store or START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE. Please read the link below for more info.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Don

Do you use it at the very start of an attack?

Do you use it for at least 15 mins?

Do you hyperventilate ( breathing at 30-40 breaths/min)?

12 lpm will not support human hyperventilation. In order to do that, you need to be at 25 lpm or higher. You might want to look at e-bay for a higher-flow regulator.

#1  Up your flow rate to a minimum of 25 lpm.  Some get relief at lower rates, but most of us do so MUCH better and quickly at higher rates.

#2  Buy the O2ptimask.  By far the best investment you will make in CH relief. 

In the meantime while waiting to get what you need on the oxygen front get some 5hr Energy or other energy drinks and slam one down at the first sign of an attack followed with the oxygen.

Jerry

Jimmy,

Brew's comments about needing a minimum oxygen flow rate of 25 liters/minute to support hyperventilation are spot on.  An oxygen flow rate of 12 liters/minute with a non-rebreathing mask can actually cause a build up of CO2 if you're experiencing any additional physical activity like doing the CH dance.  A slight elevation in arterial CO2 can completely negate the benefits of oxygen as a vasoconstrictor causing even more vasodilation.

I'll add to that by saying the three most important factors in effective oxygen therapy as an abortive for cluster headache are:

(1) Hyperoxia - breathing 100% oxygen as it acts as a vasoconstrictor;

(2) Hypocapina -  hyperventilating with 100% oxygen to cast off CO2 faster than your body is generating it through normal metabolism until you reach a condition called respiratory alkalosis that also elevates arterial pH above normal with symptoms of paresthesia (a slight tingling or prickling of the fingertips, lips, or back of the neck as well as a sensation of dizziness).  Hypocapnia and an elevated pH are also vasoconstrictors; and,

(3), An elevated arterial pH increases hemoglobin''s affinity for oxygen.  This is a respiratory physiology phenomenon called the Bohr effect, that can super oxygenate the blood flow to the brain increasing it's vasoconstrictive effect.

All three of these factors increase the effectiveness of oxygen therapy's capacity to abort a cluster headache as fast as possible... Seven minutes is a good average abort time for pain levels 3 through 9 with attacks at the lower pain levels 5 and below aborting faster than 7 minutes and attacks at pain level 7 and above taking longer than 7 minutes.

Having said that, there will be times when even higher flow rates up to 40 liters/minute will take much longer than normal to abort an attack. 

It's just a theory at this point, but it appears the increased difficulty in achieving an abort even when hyperventilating with 100% oxygen may be due to a low arterial pH - a higher than normal acid content. 

This low arterial pH condition can be caused by diet or other conditions like allergic reactions that bias our metabolism towards acidosis and cause increase inflammation.

A few of us have had success countering this condition with a regimen of calcium citrate tablets that also contain vitamin D3, magnesium and zinc washed down with sugar free lemonade, limeade, or Baja Bob's sugar free margarita mix.

Hope this helps.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

What Batch said....I use a demand regulator and 02 started failing me 5 months into my last cycle. 30 hours on Batch's "PH" regimen and the 02 was slaying the beast again. Aditionally, I would DEFINITELY go to at least 25 LPM regulator.

Joe