While I am not qualified as a doctor, as a nurse, I can tell you what Al said is 100% accurate, for pnuemonia, yes, Oxygen would be used. However, as Al said, the headaches are likely caused by CO 2 build up. I can tell you, in brief, that in basic, laymens terms, the body is stimulated to breathe by 2 basic mechanisms, the first being build up of CO2, and the second being the need for oxygen. The body of a person with a chronic illness can get "used" to high CO2 levels, which then shuts down that drive to breathe, add oxygen, then the body thinks that it has enough, and the second trigger to breathe is shut down as the body is tricked into thinking it has enough. Using Oxygen is a no no in several chronic conditions, but in ALS my understanding is it should typically only be with pnuemonia, that a bipap is preferred. However, a doctor who is unfamiliar with ALS, seeing that the patient has symptoms related to CO2 build up, would automatically probably put the patient on O2 without fully appreciating the risk. I hope that all makes sence, and again, PLEASE do not take my advice as medical in nature, don't change any treatment plan without the full knowledge and consent of a knowledgeable physician.
Andrea wife of PALS Jim