OXYGEN NO LONGER WORKING?

[DanP]

Hey everyone,

I am in the 3rd week of a cycle- haven't had one for almost 2 1/2 years. First week I was traveling so just had to power through- the first weeks headaches tend to be fairly mild for me, then start to ramp up in intensity. Second week I was aborting with imitrex injections . They really worked well but I only did them once a day. Just got O2 yesterday and had two  attacks last night and one this morning- the normal routine for me once the cluster really kicks in- and the oxygen doesn't seem to be working. In the past, if I got on the O2 soon enough it would knock them out within 10-20 minutes but last night, nothing. Ive been dealing with clusters for 30 years now and using O2 successfully for about 20 so I know how to do it, it just didn't seem to have any effect.

Curious if anyone thinks this might have something to do with using Imitrex injections first and that for some reason is making the O2 less effective? 

thanks!

[Shaun brearley]

Triptans are a nightmare my friend, O2 works so well for many of use, what's your routine with O2? 

[BoscoPiko]

 I haven't read anything about triptan use reducing the effectiveness of O2. Are you using the same provider? My first thought tends to want to lean toward a bunk tank or possible wear and tear of your existing set up? I'm sure you know the basics of O2 usage (suggested LPM's/mask type & breathing techniques etc.) but maybe it's time to change up your intake method?  I've had many discouraging and maddening experiences with O2. Some that included me being convinced it just didn't work anymore and some where I was sure it caused the attack to ramp up. In the end I discovered a few things, some of which you mentioned (the sooner the better), the breathing technique that worked last time is not guaranteed to work this time and a quick gulp of something caffeinated prior goes a long way. 

[DanP]

thanks for the replys! Hopefully last night was an anomaly and it will work as it normally does tonight.  Shaun- why do you say that triptans are a nightmare? I've heard that before, but they do work- at least for me- are the side effects really bad? I haven't noticed anything but have always been careful to not use more than once a day.

[BoscoPiko]

28 minutes ago, DanP said:

thanks for the replys! Hopefully last night was an anomaly and it will work as it normally does tonight.  Shaun- why do you say that triptans are a nightmare? I've heard that before, but they do work- at least for me- are the side effects really bad? I haven't noticed anything but have always been careful to not use more than once a day.

As much as I want to reply to this I'm going to wait for @Shaun brearley because he explains it quite well.