does using your buddy heater ever give you a headache?

[JSK76]

I have only used my buddy heater a few times this year and I noticed 3 out of 5 times I have had a headache after fishing and no, I'm not boozing and I keep the vents on the portable open. The heater it self seems to burn great and I haven't had any problems with it like so many others have. The strange part is it seems to take a while to get the headache like yesterday I stopped fishing at 6PM and at 5am I had a headache, kinda like a fishing hangover. I would say it totally coincidental but I'm not getting headaches any other times.

[Burchoid]

I know we got some headaches on mille lacs earlier in the year with my Yukon and the Big Buddy on high. It was -20 degrees out and we packed the flaps with snow real good and we still had to keep her on high to keep it warm in there. We got real sleepy with headaches a couple times! Open a vent and you're good to go.

Too much CO2 and a lack of O2 will give you a headache and make you sleepy... catalytic heaters simply don't put off as much CO.

[ozzie]

I use to get headaches all the time with a sunflower heater and when the buddy heaters came out I gave them a try as it was that or quit ice fishing.......well I have never had that problem since and I bank my house air tight and usually have the heat cranked up so that I can fish in a t-shirt......but I would guess like mentioned you are either very sensitive to burnt propane, you have a tension headache, or the headache has nothing to do with your ice fishing.......good luck!!!!

[Jeremy airjer W]

No

[PierBridge]

Ive bin useng a sunflower fer yers and aint had no problums wit hedackes

You're ammune.. Chalk that up to all the defense Attorneys and cranky Judges you've dealt with over the years!

[JSK76]

Well I'm going to rule out it just being a coincidental thing. I got out on Sunday and quit fishing at 6pm and the next morning at 5am I had a headache again.

I set up my Yukon and ran the big buddy on high, in my garage with a digital CO2 detector on the seat and after 30 minutes it only hit 21 ppm, which is very low.

I cant say what it is for sure, but at 21 ppm CO2, it's not CO2 poisoning.

I just might need to get a Canvas Craft insulated house next year so I can run the heater on a lower setting. Good thing I switch the vent-less heater out for a vented, in the wheel house last year.

[hamms-scooter]

Never had a problem with headaches from my heaters.I have plenty of air flow.

[ozzie]

maybe it is staring at the flashing lights of the vexilar that is causing your headaches???? just a thought

[solbes]

I would still suspect carbon monoxide, CO, as the culprit. Headache is usually the first symptom you will notice, then nausea, then you fall asleep, and then you're in big trouble.

We had an issue at work about 7 years back. I was at a comedy club with some friends on a Friday night. Got a call on my cell from a 3rd shift operator. He said everyone in the building had a headache, some were sick to their stomach, and one was sleeping. Turns out there was concentrated CO in the building. I told him to call the fire department and evacuate everyone because we weren't sure what it was. Anyway, it is not something to mess with at all. Be very careful!!

Your garage is much bigger than your fish house right? Also your garage may have enough air flow from outside to prevent the CO from building (soffits, under garage door, etc). Not sure I'd eliminate it as a potential cause yet. Headache and dizziness starts at 35 ppm, so you're not far off at 21.

[Surface Tension]

Carbon monoxide will accumulate in your body so getting outside is not going to help flush the CO out of your system, all that your accomplishing by getting fresh air is, well your not getting CO at that time. As soon as you go back into a room with CO you start accumulating more CO. This accumulation can go on over days and weeks.

Buddy heaters generally don't give off a lot of CO. If the ceramic element is dirty then the efficiency or the burn goes down and it burns dirty, when that happens more CO is a result.

Question is if it is CO poisoning where is it coming from. Could be the little extra coming off the heater is triggering the headaches. You will have to look at where your spending your time.

How is the exhaust system in your vehicle?

Do you have a CO detector in your home?

Work Place?

Dehydration was brought up as a cause for the headaches.

[JSK76]

Your garage is much bigger than your fish house right? Also your garage may have enough air flow from outside to prevent the CO from building (soffits, under garage door, etc).

The heater was in my set up fish house, that was inside the garage.

Went to the walk in clinic yesterday because I have been feeling light headed and a bit dizzy at times, for the past 20 days. Was tested for being anemic and tested my blood sugar and salt which all came back good. They had me lay down and and checked my pulse and then sit up, and my pules went from 78 laying down to 116 sitting up so I now have to see my primary doctor next week. The doctor said this could be from being dehydrated but since my salt level was good I think that means I'm not, I was confused on that one.

Also I have had a sinus issue on and off since Christmas and the doc said it could have effected my inner hear which could make me dizzy. Maybe a sinus issue with the burnt propane could have something to do with the headache hours after fishing? I think there is something else going on with my body that is making the heater give me headache's.

[ozzie]

I think you got Denarded!!! (Span) inner ear infection.....good luck hopefully they can figure something out!!

[MNice]

JSK76. Good luck to you, hope everything goes well.

[Surface Tension]

JSK76, its good your not ignoring those symptoms. Hope the Doc nails it down for you soon.