Bad day yesterday for Joe and the O2 is a God send!! He thinks road rage brought on the first hit, started a 3pm at a K7, went to O2, 6 LPM (his regulator goes from 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 LPM), since it was his first time using the O2, he started at 6 LPM. Approximately 20 mins later aborted hit.
Went to his garage and worked on his car, came in the house, ate dinner and at 7:45 pm took a Tylenol 3; 8pm shadowing; 8:30 it was at a K5; 8:45 K8, I told him to get on the O2; 5 mins on O2 @ 6 LPM, took it to K3, got off O2 at 9:10.
He was able to go to sleep around 12 am, up and down all night and really irritable this morning!
Can't say it enough, thank you for the advise on O2, it really does subside the beast! I hate that he gets the hits at all but I am grateful it will no longer last for LONG periods of time!
Okay two triggers yesterday, 1) stress 2) I think it was the Tylenol 3, any thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you for all your help, don't know what I would do without all of you!
Monica
ps - wish me luck today, he's a little bitchy!

Don't wait so much as a second to let the bastage get his foot in the door.

Rule 2 of oxygen - get onto it at the first sign of a hit!!!

You want rule 3?

YES! Tell me rule 3!! I appreciate all of the advise I can give him!

AussieBrian wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2009 at 9:15am:

Rule 5 of oxygen - get onto it at the first sign of a hit!!!

Rule 6 of oxygen - get onto it at the first sign of a hit!!!

I get it and I will make sure Joe get's it too!!

THANK YOU!!!

Lady, I gotta say it again, you rock! Slap him upside the head and remind him he's damned lucky to have a supporter like you!

I hear you, my poor wifey says i can be a bit rough to be with in cycle. Bless her heart she hasn't thrown me to the curb yet! I'm so glad to hear the 02 is working for him. Stress is one of those variable triggers. For many, as soon as they relax, they get hit. For others, like me, sustained stress can bring on an attack. Sounds like your Joe is like me in that regard.

For me, a delay of 2-3 minutes in getting on the 02 substantially lengthens the abort time. Speed is of the essence. On cycle that tank leans against my night stand!

Thank you again for sticking by him, good luck!

Joe

[quote author=4B707A71786B7D4657190 link=1230991656/9#9 date=1231034245]  He DOES have a non-rebreather mask (the one with the bag) I assume?

Richard,
Not yet but will have everything he needs within 10 days! Pete gave us wonderul information yesterday and I am all over it!! Pete emailed me extensive instructions and I will go by them to the T; what a wealth of knowledge...each and everyone of you!!
Pete even called and spoke to Joe, gave him great advise on proper adminstration of O2.
I can't say it enough....thank you.. thank you.. thank you!!
Monica

Chuck
Thank you for the offer, I have received info from Pete and I will call Flotec and LifeGas first thing tomorrow and order everything he needs. I tired yesterday but have to wait till Monday to speak to someone. Pete gave him great instructions on how to use what he has until he gets the right equipment.
There is so  much I don't know but I told Joe that before you know it I will be an expert but only because I have all of you!
Monica

ClusterChuck wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 9:48am:

Hi again Monica

  Just wanted to add to Chuck's post re the Sea-Long mask.  This are fine folks to deal with.  They developed their mask (based on a Clustermasx one of our members sent them), but added the 3-litre bag and a humidifier.  The humidifier will require a fitting available from my 02 supplier to attach to the regulator. 

  When I first contacted them, I was looking for a face mask to replace the one going flat on my Clustermasx (which was out of production at the time).  They didn't carry same at the time, but had become interested in our condition and began finding the parts to provide the type mask we require.  They also gave me the name of another company that carried the (form fitting) face mask I needed.


  Last week, I ordered two of the kits (one for the house, one for my van).  Ordered by phone one day . . . they arrived (ups) the next day.

  Michelle Fleig is the person you want to communicate with if you use Sea-Long . . . very personable . . . not just an "order-taker" . . . and she spent a lot of time on the site and communicating with us re our needs to put this kit together for us.

  I plan on using the humidifier for my home tank . . . currently just have it rigged like the clustermasx.  The way we use it, I really don't recall having much trouble with "dry-mouth" (there is absolutely NO moisture in the 02 we breathe), even when I first got here, having 6-8 attacks daily, sometimes 3-5 at night. 

  If he will be using the medical "E" tanks, he will need several tanks on hand . . . I never go into a weekend without at least two full tanks, plus whatever is in the cart and my van.  I currently keep 14 tanks.  An "E" tank holds 680 litres of 02 . . .  that's 45 min. of 02 at 15 lpm .  . . which will kill several hits IF USED AT THE ONSET of attack . . . or two major hits.  Prices vary across the country and depending on your supplier.  I have a great deal . . . I pay $10 per exchange . . . no deposit and they don't care how many tanks I keep.  Some places charge a deposit, per tank (and sometimes per month), plus often higher prices for the re-fills (exchange).

  I'm sure by now he's keeping a journal.  Also use same to help identify triggers.  For most of us, alcohol is a major trigger (is for me) . . I quit altogether when I came here (2/02).  Also, exhaust fumes, certain chemicals (like carb cleaner).  I also avoid nitrates/nitrites found in packaged sandwich meats n' such.  We're all different, and have different triggers.

  . . . and thank you for being a supporter.  It was my wife who found this site for me .  .  . and saved my life . . . was a real basket-case when I got here . . . afraid of sleep . . . always afraid of the next one.  I have control now, and when I do get hit, I seldom have to have a real "dance" with him.

  Better times are just around the corner . . . VERY glad you found us.

    Be Safe,    PFDANs

     Richard

I  02
He is a lucky man to have you.
the bb

Hi Monica,

Not sure if anyone answered one of your earlier questions, but in terms of triggers aspirin, tylenol or any of those types of meds are triggers for me, so it could well be the same for Joe. If it is, a little tip - be careful with cough mixtures and medicines as there are very few that don't contain something like this to control a temperature.

Glad Joe is finally having some breakthroughs with all this.

Em
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