anyone know about using oxygen from a cylinder?

[Amy]

Does anyone have any experience of or information about using oxygen for ME/CFS?

I have severe ME/CFS, and am bedridden (apart from some brief jaunts to the sofa on occasion!). I have bad orthostatic intolerance. My GP has provisionally diagnosed me with POTS, after measuring my pulse and blood pressure after standing for one minute (and watching my feet go purple and me nearly fainting). She hasn't been able to find a local specialist who knows about POTS and could help me, so at the moment I'm not getting any treatment for it. If I sit upright for more than a few minutes I feel as though I'm being gradually suffocated, have pretty dramatic symptoms, and my muscles get progressively weaker until I can't use my limbs. It can take hours to recover, and I feel kind of desperate for air, even when I'm breathing normally.

I've read about impaired oxygen delivery to muscle in cfs here:

http://www.clinsci.org/cs/097/0603/cs0970603.htm

I'm wondering if breathing extra oxygen would help, or whether, if the problem is with getting oxygen from the bloodstream into the muscles, it wouldn't make much difference?

I've noticed that some patients (particularly in the US it seems) use oxygen for their ME/CFS. If anyone has any experience of this, has found it helpful or not, please could you let me know? Thanks.

 

[Dreambirdie]

I use oxygen whenever I need it, but that is mostly for MCS--after I have a bad toxic exposure, or in spring to help me deal with the effects of pollen allergies. It takes me about an hour to "clear" the worst of the reaction, and then I usually feel better. I find it very relaxing.

I usually set the liter flow to 4, but sometimes I feel better at 2. Everybody is different, so I would be careful and go easy on your first try of it.

 

[Amy]

Thanks for the information and advice, dreambirdie. This is really interesting.

I also have chemical sensitivity problems, and it hadn't occurred to me that oxygen could also help with this. I'm definitely going to ask my GP to let me try it.

 

[alice1]

What a great idea dreambirdie.I was tested for allergies and I'm allergic to pretty much everything green.Makes for a difficult summer season.
I'll try some oxygen.

 

[Athene]

I want to bump this thread to ask if anyone, since the original responders, has used oxygen (from tank or compressor) lately and how did you get on?
I am going to a clinic which offers this as one of their add-on therapies so I am curious for more info.

 

[*GG*]

I want to bump this thread to ask if anyone, since the original responders, has used oxygen (from tank or compressor) lately and how did you get on?
I am going to a clinic which offers this as one of their add-on therapies so I am curious for more info.

I use an Oxygen concentrator, all I did was give my Dr a copy of my sleep study which showed that my Oxygen decreased when I sleep, I have obstructive sleep apnea, my chiro suggested this to me. My Chiropractor told me to request an Oxygen Concentrator because dealing with tanks is a hassle. I have not noticed a great improvement, although I am rather functional, I work up to 30 hours a week.

 

[helsbells]

I have one but don't always use it - supposed to use it when lying down for a few hours but as I take sleep meds and its noisy (I have a well partner) and there is a water bottle I usually get into a real pickle with it. I have tried using it just sitting up in the evenings but can't say I have noticed any improvements. My understanding is for me deep tissues are oxygen deprived but that may be for a functional reason.

 

[sphynx on roundabouts]

I use an O2 concentrator and find it very helpful in lifting the dire exhaustion in the chest and helping me to breath more freely. I have severe ME and find this to be a very nice support for me. As Dr Cheney advises against the use of O2 due to his findings of the POF in the heart and subsequent O2 toxicity, I decided to try to go without it and see how I would feel. My study of 1 showed that the patient felt better using O2 as opposed to not using it! As well as generally oxygenating the body it is supposed to be of benefit in detoxing the body, minimizing the effects of anaerobic bacteria and I think it is advised for those with lyme or lyme co-infections. I guess that like so many other things it is suitable for some patients and not for others.

Helsbells and the hot water bottle - snap

 

[aquariusgirl]

which brand do you use sphnyx on roundabouts?