Morning,
I slept all night, hurray! However, it is back this am.

Hubbie wonders if it is the way I get back into bed to have coffee - I lean over and then plop down. Since I get a bruiser when entering a lower pressure area (higher altitude or Barometric drop due to weather), he is wondering. He knows that I will not bend over at all when in pain. I don't think it is enough to create a problem.

Already hit the O2 hard for 5 minutes or more. Actually, until I was freezing in the basement and more than a little dizzy. Weather change is not helping either.

My BIG issue now is the Dr. Had his receptionist call at the end of the day. She said I was to up the Prednisone to 20mg a day and the Prozac from 10mg to 20mg.

A: I have no Predizone and they were informed that when I went below 30mg the beast returned. So, 20mg should help?

B: Prozac for 7 days gave me hives for 7 days. I skipped the 10mg yesterday and had no hives. So, I should up the dose? :o

C: He won't prescribe O2. Says it is too expensive. Since when does he pay my bills or suffer my pain? > :'(

D: He insists on the Sleep Study. I had one 2 years ago for Apnea. His office was informed that my O2 was at 93-95% immediately upon waking up. CPAP requires a much lower saturation level for prescription and I don't NEED a CPAP! Perhaps this is his 'less expensive' answer to O2! >:(

I called Linde yesterday to get the better Optimask for long term use and asked about a regulator. Evidently I must have a script for either of them! Must I have a script for the disposable unit shown here as well? If so, I am ____ed.

My PCP is strictly an in/out guy. Get your lab results, flu shot, script renewals and 'See ya next year'. BTW, he thinks a Valium a day for pain from Lumbar Fusion will not work in a week and will kill you because you will take 10 a day on day 8!

Anyone know a formula to convert PSI into LPM? That eliminates the need for a medical regulator. The one at Linde is NOT cheap. Besides, I already have a regulator for PSI. An M60 tank is going to cost about $210.00- 250.00 new and filled. Refill is $22.50. That should give a bit above 3 hours treatment time and at 50 lbs is house portable/hideable. That brings the total start-up cost for O2 to about $500.00. Should I say "Merry Christmas" to myself? Gladly, if I could get some support from the medical guys in this part of the world!

123... under way. Right now at:
2500 D-3 TID
600+D & minerals TID
1400 Omerga-3 TID

Too little? Too much? TID does mean twice a day, right? Suggestions appreciated.

How do I get the left hand menu to come up? I must need to back up to somewhere, but where?

Thanks to you guys who have written: Batch and Potter
I no longer feel like I am living in a Vacuum.

Spiny

Lease a welders M tank,  they are huge and will last way more than three days.  Buy a regulator from Harbor freight,  buy a mask from this site ch.com.  Lpm won't be a problem just as long as you keep the bag full,  you are good to go.

     Potter

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

This is the oxygen link. The tabs on the left have something to do with how you view the board, try this link:

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

On the oyxgen, I agree with Potter, I'd advise you to rent the tank and not buy. Otherwise you're responsible for the tanks maintenance and safety checks. You'll find it's typically much cheaper to rent then own those big boys. Besides, it's much quicker to drop off empty and take a full then to wait while they fill you're tanks.

As to the conversion, Potters spot on there too, don't sweat details! ;) If the bag on your mask goes completely empty with each breath, crank the flow up a little bit until it can keep up with your breathing. As your breathing slows, crank the reg back down little by little.

The sleep study isn't a bad idea as sleep apnea can cause you a lot of medical issues in the long run. Historically it doesn't seem to play a role in CH. Several on the board got the cpap and it helped with their apnea, but not their CH.

And you said it. your doc is an idiot. Time to move on. If a new doc isn't in the cards, for whatever reason, then it's time to take a big step and visit:

clusterbusters.com

Joe

Thanks!

Have a giant M in the basement. Husband wants a smaller one for up here. Gotta comply with that request. I was looking at buying because the only caveat I have seen is that by swapping tanks you might inhale contaminants left by others. Of course I have been sucking O2 out of an old welding tank we own for a while now and I am still alive. I must stop this 'timid' stuff, it is not in my nature at all. :o

I have found regulators in Graingers, but we order from Harbor Freight as well. Either can tell me which to get for the M60.

Since I evidently don't need a script for the disposable unit, I will order it here. Most likely I will use the mouth piece, not the mask - way too much nerve pain to have it held to my face.

Yes, I really love SIMPLE! :) Watch the bag and you are good to go - can't get much simpler than that.

Sleep study showed apnea, but not enough to go for the CPAP. Supposedly 14 apneas and hypoapneas and sleep efficiency of 91% If my allergies are mostly under control, I don't stop breathing for extended periods multiple times a night. Husband loves to hear me snore. Says it means that I am alive!! ;D

I found one Dr on Ouch who is located about 1.5 hours away. I hate to start over, but we do what we must. I will check Clusterbusters and look for more options.

Kinda sucks, as Duke is 2 hours away and they tried for a long time to do a schroom study for Clusters, but never got past the Fed red tape! >:( All thanks to William Randolph Hearst. Really great philanthropist - NOT! Now we import hemp for ropes or just import the ropes because a weed was made illegal to sell his new paper making process. Tirade. Sorry.

Potter and Joe, you guys are great! 8-) Don't give up on me, ok?

Don't sweat the contaminants. If you deal with a reputable welding 02 supplier, they'll be keeping the tanks sparkling clean. Any contaminants in welding oxygen makes for weld failures, big lawsuits, and a bad reputation. Gives the welding oxygen companies a lot of incentives to keep those babies crystal clean. no one wants a falling building blamed on them! ;)

I use a mouthpiece too as I can't stand anything pressed against my face when I'm "dancing!"

Don't give up on me, ok?

Won't happen silly, you're family now! [smiley=hug.gif]

joe

Alright,
Got a 0-25 LPM regulator for $55.00 from WT Farley Inc on the way. Not too shabby.
Ordered the Optimask from here today too. Would you believe, I got a call back in a minute? Awesome.
Tank I will rent.
Finally got the Dr to prescribe a long taper of Prednisone and put me back on Verapamil. You'd think I was asking for a years supply of LSD or something! ::)

You guys are great. Many thanks!!!!!!
spiny

I like a person with the back bone to take charge of their condition. Way to grab the bull by the horns. [smiley=clap2.gif]

Joe

Guiseppi wrote on Nov 4^th, 2011 at 6:27pm:

I like a person with the back bone to take charge of their condition. Way to grab the bull by the horns. [smiley=clap2.gif] Joe

Or in the case of the Dr., maybe kick the bull in the . . .

Hmmm.

It would be rather humorous to:
1 stroll into his office with a Kip 9-10,
2 head for the back,
3 offer to share my pain so that he would get the idea of  the intensity,
4 deliver a knee and watch his face,
5 say "Welcome to my world"
   "Don't worry, the pain will pass in an hour or two".
   "Try some Prozac for that, it might help!"
6 "I'll check back in a couple of hours to show you what a   repeat attack feels like. OK?

My husband would grin from ear to ear at his wife standing up to a man a foot taller than her 5'3", 70Lbs heavier, much younger, and the "professional" in the exchange! 8-)

Being an old fart has its own rewards. In the last three years, I have gone 'verbal'. That filter that young women used to be taught to use at all times - "Act like a Lady" - now has an on/off switch.

My daughter is highly offended (she is 43).
My son cracks up when he hears my 'stream of consciousness' thoughts voiced out loud for the first time in his life (he is 30). " Mom, you are hysterical!!!"
My husband has been known to set the scene, without telling me, just so he could watch the justified tirade spill out!

Yes, there are a few advantages to age. ;D
After all, many of the recipients put it down to Dementia. ;)

Thanks guys. By the way, I slept all night and woke up PF. That makes 6 days since Sept. 15th. But this time, I think we are actually getting somewhere.

spiny - the handle does have meaning

It's amazing how much stronger you feel when you start getting those pain free nights back to back. :) Hoping that continues for a LONG time!

Joe

I do love folks that follow the directions and have success.  Nothin but the best for you.

       Potter

Had to chime in because my old "quack" who thinks he's a doctor told me the same thing: that O2 was "really expensive". Bought the regulator for same price and "rent" tanks from Apria for $12 per tank...
...uhhhh...
...yes.

I've heard the "really expensive" argument in the past...mostly from insurance companies...which is idiotic.

When I layed out the cost of the alternatives...plus the occasional ER visit...etc...they changed their tune faster than a rock 'n roll jukebox at a country bar.

Un