I don't know where to begin. My story I'm sure is not unlike many of my fellow ch sufferers. I can say that since I am due to be under attack soon that the fear of the attack is as nearly as bad as the attack itself. Maybe I've been lucky to have had only 3 previous bouts with the beast, all at 5 year intervals but trend of the attacks has been of increased duration  and intensity. Last bout was 52 days, 4-6 onset attacks daily at what I would describe as kip10 and 4 -6 rebound headaches between them - 24/7 pain, slept only when felled due to exhaustion and over medication.  Scared shitless is an under statement. Previous meds were stadol spray and imitrex pills which overall I would describe as not effective but did keep me from harming myself. I am now in the process of arming myself for battle and have obtained o2. I currently have a 40lb liquid o2 tank in my bedroom with a bs re-breather bag and  a 1 -15 lpm reg. I have an appt with the neuro soon to go over my brain scan and hopefully get meds that will help.. Hard to say what I'm going to get but I am going to ask for verapimil and some type of injectable. I can only hope it is enough. My insurance ( I have regence ) says that they don't cover injectables so I have to ask, how are those of you getting injectables having insurance pay? I am trying to get my insurance to pay for a o2ptimask demand valve system and 1 -25 lpm reg. If they don't I will at least buy an o2ptimask. I won't have the with -where -all to handle anything when I am under attack so now is the time to get my ducks in a row. My job will put me on maternity leave and that helps and is of some comfort but in addition to lost wages I am sure the beast is going to cost me. ( lost wages = lost insurance= more out of pocket) One of the things that scares me is that either the o2 won't work or that I will ill use it and harm my lungs or worse. I have read the o.u.c.h site several times as well as all the o2 related things here but it seems a little like reading how to swim and then jumping in the deep end. I have been digging into the message board for a one size fits all answer but can't find it. Makes me want to try everything at once but I know that is not wise though I will have remember that when I am under attack. My biggest question here is ( if I have even yet to  ask one is) lets say o2 works for me in aborting that 1st attack, and the verapimil helps, and I don't have to use an injectable. Does that mean I won't likely get another onset attack for the day, days, week? Or if I am used to the frequency of attacks as in the past will have I have to abort each one as though it was the 1st one or do they get easier to abort the more you abort them, if that makes any sense. Do you use o2 for rebound headaches of a lesser kip level? I did find out, by accident , that liquid o2 dissipates at a rate of a pound and a half a day and though I originally have more volume I also lose it when not in use. That's why the liquid versus gaseous question. ( I am ignorant, please help) If I am attacked as often as 4 - 6 time a day, more including rebound headaches, wouldn't I need like M tanks or even larger. Wouldn't I like need  4-6  E tanks daily if I was going that route. Doesn't this all sound like way too much o2? As it is if I need to I can get a 90 pound liquid o2 tank or a combination of tanks to suit my needs but again, is it reasonable to expect that kind of usage? Some guy at the o2 supply company told me that o2 was addicting. It took me awhile to get it but that's a funny. Seriously though, does any one have any o2 usage stories. I know that everyone's ch is different but I honestly don't know what to expect.   

Jay,

Please listen to Chuckles... he knows what he's talking about with the O2.

Did I read your post right? Are you pregnant?  If you are then you probably don't need to be taking the imitrex. O2 might be the ONLY thing you CAN use. Need to ask your doc about that.

The BIG secret in using O2 is to get on it as SOON as you feel the HA coming on - DO NOT WAIT. And there are ways to breathe that Chuck can explain to you (like hyperventalating - he and Pete had to "instruct" me till I got that one down "right") but once you get the hang of it - it works really well (my abort time is usually 3-5 minutes).

We're all a good bunch here - and we want you to be as pain free as possible, so don't get put out with us if we fuss at you a little... And by all means GET THE RIGHT mask..

Looks like you're doing the right thing by getting all the stuff together BEFORE the beast hits.

Now, if you don't have a webcam on your computer I'd suggest you invest in one of those (with a mike) so Chuck can make sure you're doing the O2 the right way or show you how to do it right. Then you can download Skype (it's free). I'll vouch for Chuckles - he's really harmless once you get to know him. (My grandson adores him and you know what they say about kids and dogs. so if you have any fears about talking to a "stranger" on the Internet - don't worry about him).

Welcome to Clusterville...

Hugs BD

Jay,

Sorry, but I don't know much about the liquid O2, but someone will be along to enlighten you about that. Tony knows what he's talking about (and yes, I know him - give him my best when you talk to him).

With the Opt2tic (or however you spell it) maybe the 15 liters will work for you. I use the demand valve and it does wonders for me. I can usually kill a hit in 3-5 minutes.

Keep the trex in reserve for when the O2 doesn't do the trick.

We also use Red Bull (or an energy drink with caffeine and at least 1000mg of Taurine in it) at the first sign of a hit (chug it). Works good if you're not around your O2 (at least it does for me).

Check in with Chuck about the o2....

Hugs BD

sorry about the double post. Thanks again
Jay