Im in Richmond VA.  Sorry for short post but in a lot of pain and this otherwise awesome site seems to hate the iPad.  Trying to get my 02 to work better before Beast calls soon but don't have access to proper setup yet (promise have read this site for literally two weeks every day now, it's just lack of $$ at the moment).  I have tank, regulator that goes to 15, and the standard cheapo non-rebreather which usually gets thrown across the room because I cannot get it together to coordinate either covering the holes or taping them over then lifting off the mask.  So then I just try to breathe directly from the tube, but I feel I can't breathe fast or hard enough to hyperventilate or abort.  Am I just screwed on the 02 w/o a better reg right now or is there ANY trick to eke out a better result for now? :'(. Thanks tons!  (Seeing neuro on Mon)

Quick clarify am in cluster cycle now, 4 hits/day.  On Verapamil 160/day (GP nervous to go higher, I'll make sure neuro has no such reservations), did pred taper but at too low dose (again, GP), lost too much weight on Topamax which did work about 50%.  Chugging Dollar Store energy drink now.  Asking my parents for Batch's vitamins and a high-flow 02 reg and Optimask for my birthday (LOL how sad, cuz I'm 35).  Thanks all.  ::)

Hey ANC,

Good move on the birthday presents you requested. In the mean time, see if your folks can't put a rush on the vitamin D3 and mineral supplements...  Offer to wash their car if you live close by and if not, send your mom some flowers...  That usually does the trick.

As you're into MaGuyver...you also need to pick up the makings for a redneck oxygen reservoir bag breathing system. 

You'll need a clean 40 gal trash bag, some duck tape, electrician's tape, and a half or 5/8 inch PVC coupler or a 2" long section of half or 5/8 inch PVC to use as a mouthpiece.  You can use the oxygen tubing attached to the POS disposable mask...  cut the tubing next to the mask.

If you don't have these items handy, you can pick them up at Lowe's or Home Depot.

The complete MacGuyver instructions to build and use this contraption are listed in post #4 of the following link:

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You'll need to pre-fill the Redneck Reservoir Bag system and seal it with a rubber band for a gas tight seal ahead of time and exhale away from the mouthpiece during the actual therapy... but other than that, these contraptions have the least breathing resistance of any NRB mask or demand valve in the market and there's no flow limitation.  You'll be able to suck down oxygen like a big dog...

You also might want to ask your PCP or neurologist for the lab test for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, a.k.a. 25(OH)D, the serum level metabolite of vitamin D3...  If you're able to do this, I suspect your 25(OH)D concentration will come back ≤30 ng/mL.

BTW...  I've been using a Mac since the little lady in marathon togs tossed the hammer through the Orwellian big screen with big brother talking and all the PC droids watching...  I develop a rash if I get close to a PC...

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Thank you, Batch!  Those were EXACTLY the kind of instructions I needed.  Last night I ended up forgoing the tubing altogether and just huffing straight from the regulator (any port in a storm!), but I just wasn't getting the breathing right.  NOW I get it. Off to the hw store now.   8-)

Yep, that commercial was 1984 - aired during the Superbowl.  Apple's got great insurance and takes the trex from $2000/mo. down to $5 but good lord, I can't keep taking 3+ shots per day.  But you know that.  I'll check with my doc on the vitamin test - like I say, great insurance.  Thanks man.

More MacGuyvering, if you don't mind good sir... no flowers for Mom but managed to snag a freelance client and a trip to BJ's.  So here's what I have to work with for now:  Omega-3 360 mg, D3 5000 IU, calcium citrate 630 mg w/ D3 500 IU, and melatonin 5 mg.  Was unable to find the calcium cit with magnesium/zinc (and honestly, I am more than worried about the zinc as even small amounts turn me into a vomit comet!).

Is it still worth taking the calcium without the mag/zinc?  Anything else I can do to boost the effectiveness?  If I should bring this to another thread, let me know.  I'm just having a hard time wading through that massive 123... thread.  LOTS of info.. Thanks. :)

  Apple's got great insurance and takes the trex from $2000/mo. down to $5 but good lord, I can't keep taking 3+ shots per day.  But you know that.  I'll check with my doc on the vitamin test - like I say, great insurance.  Thanks man.[/quote]

Check out the imitrex tip on the left side of your screen.  You can use smaller amounts of Trex at a time and alleviate some of the rebounds.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry.  I've read and used the trick.  :) However I need about 4mgs to kill the hits and 4mgs is what I'm prescribed.  As far as I can tell, rebounds are not the problem or I'd expect to be getting HA all day and not just like clockwork in the am right?  Also, here's hoping I won't need the trex too much longer.  :-/ I did enjoy taking the cartridge apart tho.  Neat.

Hey ANC,

Sorry to be so slow in responding...  I missed your question somehow...  If you have problems with zinc... do you like oysters?  A half dozen on the half shell or a small tin of smoked oysters would give you a weeks supply of very natural zinc.

If you eat a serving of GOMBS... (Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, Beans/Berries and Seeds) each day, you'll get nearly all the micronutrients you need to go along with the 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 and Omega 3 Fish Oil... 

Magnesium is the most important cofactor in vitamin D3 therapy... 

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Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hey Batch and everyone, sorry it took ME a while to get back.  I wanted to report on the "hillybilly re-breather" bag you suggested.

So there's a big blimp of a trashbag, all sealed-up with duct tape and filled with about 50 gallons of pure 02 next to my bed.  It's secured to a cheap re-breather with the holes taped over (more duct tape).

And it's beautiful! I'm getting much better aborts.   :D  So thank you.

Hey ANC,

Thanks for the update...   Glad to hear the redneck reservoir bag swerkin good...   I love it when a plan comes together...

Take care and keep up that deep breathing...

V/R, Batch