Hello.

Just wanted to mention that I've been using a 10lpm concentrator since May 2010, and the overall results have been most satisfactory.

The only time it doesn't seem to help (with the rare exception) is when I can't get to it early in an attack. Even then, depending on the duration and/or severity, it sometimes works -- just takes longer to be effective.

I know I've been told that tanks work better (and I've no reason to doubt that), but for me, having tanks always refilled, etc. would not be realistically feasible. While a concentrator may not work for everyone, it has been a great blessing to me, working the vast majority of the time I have access to it at the onset of an attack.

I have a 3 liter bag, and notice that it only takes 15 to 17 seconds for the bag to fill with the concentrator set on the highest setting (once it gets fully warmed up, within a minute of my turning it on). That being the case, it's actually giving out 12 or more LPM, even though it's a 10 LPM. (It's a Respironics Millennium 10; I'd previously rented others which don't fill a bag that quickly.)

Even waking with an attack during the night, it's right beside the bed; I flip it on, and generally within 5 to 12 minutes, the attack has completely subsided.

Naturally, I run into a problem when I'm out on the road (I drive a commercial vehicle and can't have O2 in the vehicle).

Have recently acquired some Kudzu (1000mg). Has only been two and half days (taking it twice daily), and so far, I can detect no results from it. Am still hopeful, though.

Thanks.

Dunno about Kudzu, but if you haven't looked yet, you should check out the vitamin D3 regimen. It's been pretty effective for a lot of people.

Another long term board member had success with aborting at 10LPM, one more way we're all so danged different. Do check out the D-3 regimen if you haven't already, seems to be helping a LOT of people.

Joe

Thanks. I will.

Do you have a link to the D3 regimen?

Follow this link to the medications section of this board and read the post 

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

It’s a vitamin/mineral/fish oil supplement, all over the counter stuff. It’s up to an 81% success rate of those who try it and respond to the survey so you’re just shooting yourself in the foot if you don’t give it a shot. I’m 3 years pain free on it after a 35 plus year track record with episodic CH. Best of all, it’s healthy for you even without CH!

As of January 20, 2013, the compiled raw data indicates an efficacy of 80%. 240 out of the 300 CH'ers who have started this regimen and stayed on it for a month or more have experienced a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of their CH... 78% of the 300 CH'ers experienced a pain free response and 60% of the 300 have remained essentially pain free. Episodic and chronic CH'ers respond to this regimen at roughly the same rate.

Preliminary survey results indicate most of these CH'ers were pain free before the end of the third week with some responding in a little as 12 to 24 hours. The average time to respond is five days

Joe

Thank you. Sorry I didn't get back sooner, but I just saw your response now (it's been a busy week).

I do have a vitamin D deficiency which was diagnosed in April 2009. My vitamin D 25 OH total was 26. Vitamin D 25 OH D2 was <4.

I haven't had it checked since, as I no longer have insurance.

At the time, the rheumotologist recommended I take 200IU of D3 daily.

Unless your employer has a ban on O2 in the truck or you are hauling some sort of HazMat that would preclude it you can carry O2 in the truck with you.  It has to be secured vertically.  I know two over the road truckers who carry it in their sleeper.  I used to carry it in my Dodge Dually when I delivered RV's.  You can't use it while driving, so you would have to get off the road, but you will want to do that most of the time anyway.

For driving you might want to try an energy drink as an abortive.  I prefer 5hr ENERGY because I can carry it in my pocket and always have it with me.  Others like Red Bull, Monster, or RockStar. 

If you are going to use a concentrator, although they usually are not effective for CH, the Millenium is your best choice.  I delivered O2 prods and equipment for a while, and the Millenium was the best performing unit we had.  The biggest problem with it for CH is you will be looking at an O2 concentration of anywhere from 78-91%, although about 85 is average.  That usually doesn't work for clusterheads.  Glad it does for you.

Definitely look into D3.  I'm not totally PF, but nearly so on it.  I have some other medical issues that seem to prevent total relief, but I'm as near PF as I've been in over 11 yrs chronic.

Jerry

Thanks. I have upped my D3 intake for past few days.

I usually look for the LPM value that have noticeable effect right away - the value that stops the attack from getting worse and then gradually makes it go away. Generally, with KIP1-5 attack using 8-12lpm works just fine, but for stronger attacks higher values are crucial. Also, higher values usually work faster (2-5 minutes rather than 5-15 minutes).

I'm sorry, but I just noticed my previous post had a typo. My rheumotologist recommended 2000 I.U. a day, not 200.

shooky wrote on Nov 17^th, 2013 at 1:33pm:

I usually look for the LPM value that have noticeable effect right away - the value that stops the attack from getting worse and then gradually makes it go away. Generally, with KIP1-5 attack using 8-12lpm works just fine, but for stronger attacks higher values are crucial. Also, higher values usually work faster (2-5 minutes rather than 5-15 minutes).

Yes, that seems to be the case with me most of the time, too.

The convenience of always having the concentrator on hand for me (when at home) and taking a few minutes longer to alleviate the attack outweighs the inconvenience of always having to get tanks delivered/filled etc. -- particularly as such would be a logistical nightmare for me, given my home/work situation.

I am very pleased overall with the concentrator.

Thank you all for the vitamin D recommendation, too. I have upped my intake.