Posted by Duncan (212.46.129.33) on October 15, 2000 at 19:25:48:
Inhaling oxygen at the onset of a CH attack has always been very effective for me - definitely my first line of attack. But right now I'm suffering from a cold and I'm very blocked up on the right side of my head - the same side that I suffer my CH attacks. For some reason when I have a cold and congestion on the right side I just don't get the same speed of relief and sometimes don't get it at all.
Now I thought the theory behind oxygen inhalation was that breathing 100% O2 pushes the O2 concentration of your blood up to a level where your brain says 'whoa, thats a bit high, I think we can afford to cut back blood supply to the head by constricting the blood vessels.' I understood it was the constriction of the blood vessels that brought the relief from CH pain. Sounds logical to me.
Why should this theory go wrong when I can't breath through my right nostril? I must still be getting the oxygen to my brain through my left nostril and my mouth in good volumes.
Occasionally by sniffing/swallowing/blowing my nose/whatever I can clear the congestion and then, as if by magic, within just two or three minutes the oxygen takes effect and the attack is aborted.
So what do I conclude from that? Well I'm really not sure. But is it possible that some of the oxygen one is inhaling needs to make contact directly with the dilated/in spasm blood vessels in the area of the face where the CH pain is occurring.
Anyone had any similar experiences?