Hi again Clusterheads,

Forgot to mention in my last post --

As a long-time smoker and guy who's getting on in years, Doc recommended Spiriva during cluster cycle, to improve lung performance and enhance oxygen absorption rate.

After a week on it, I started to experience a much shorter time on the O2 waiting for relief of an attack.  Used to regularly take 6-7 minutes, sometimes 10.  Now running 5 minutes tops, and often between 3 and 4 minutes.  It's another thing that's worth a shot.  Quicker relief for me, and fewer $$ spent on O2 cylinder refills.

By the way, after many years of experimenting, I've found that 11-12 liters per minute is right for me.  Higher flows, up to 15 l/m, don't work any faster.  Lower flows than 11 l/m don't solve the problem.  In tough economic times, it's good to experiment a little (unless the beast is making you scream).

Best to all, and pain free days!

Goober Dave

finding benefit from Spiriva makes sense to me...

it is a bronchodilator, it improves oxygen absorption by making it easier for your lungs to function, mechanicaly.  the more relaxed your bronchial tubes are, the easier it is to use your lungs to full capacity.  since smoking causes bronchoconstriction, it makes perfect sense that a bronchodilator would help with use of oxygen, as it would make it easier to fully inflate your lungs, easier to hyperventilate.

Good on all of your replies --

And yes, Gregg, I have known really life-long super-heavy smokers whose lungs work better than mine. (My dad was one).

The Spiriva suggetion is just for those with a problem like COPD.  If your lungs are good, it's a waste of money -- so don't go rushing out to buy some.

Huff that O2 fast and breathe it deep!

If you need the really high flows, go for it.  I don't need anything much more that 10-12 lpm, though.

Oh, and if you are using a standard non-rebreather (NRB) mask, you might look into the cluster masks discussed elsewhere on the board.  I personally suck my O2 directly through a tube, no mask.  Even a good NRB type lets a little exhaled air get recycled unless you wait between sucks for it to blow the mask clear.

All take care! 

Goober Dave