I have changed oxygen nurses and my new one did an arterial bloods and said I am co2 retentive and need to reduce my oxygen flow.

[happyfeet59]

She also said I need to use oxygen 22/7 instead of 16/7 which is a huge change to my lifestyle. And she said she thinks I am shallow breathing at night which, I think she said, is causing abuild up of co2 at night and causing a 'wooly head' in the morning. Any thoughts would be welcome as I try to get my head round this new regime. What's coming next!

[Hidden]

Its all this CO2 retaining .. Do thay tell you what your CO2 retaing number is

A know thay do in hospital 1 being tip top and 10 being well lets say not nice and the being no 11

[happyfeet59]

I think my co2 was 6.3 ? and o2 was 7.8 ? I was also lightheaded and had low BP. My bicarbonate? number was high she said. So much to take in.

[Hidden]

Ye was reading about CO2 retension and think thay told you to turn it down and space oxygen threw day so your CO2 will not build up.

Not 100% but i would not argu with that thinking .. might need to take things tad slower as doing stuff can raise CO2

[happyfeet59 in reply to Hidden]

If I go any slower I'll stop altogether!

[Hidden in reply to happyfeet59]

Looks like nurse knows what shes doing if thats the case .. ad try to relax and not get stressed sounds like you have good team

[stone-UK]

Hi

Interesting article.

lungfoundation.com.au/wp-co...

Further reading , scroll to page 6, questions

lungfoundation.com.au/wp-co...

[happyfeet59 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone. Theses were interesting articles. Still uncertain as to how much of a retainer I am. This new nurse tells it like I am in huge danger - she is going to give me a card and has knocked down my Lpm whilst increasing timescale. Means I can't travel far and can't walk far due to breathlessness.

Previous nurse said I only showed higher co2 on first take - other 3 were fine, so no probs. I had to hang around the hospital for 3hrs for one thing or another and had only had breakfast cereal before that. I was lightheaded and had low BP. I think I was dehydrated and that caused all my problems on the day. But what do I know! So frustrating!

[Hidden]

That sounds all very difficult for you to take in - and for me to understand! I would recommend you ring the helpline and ask their advise. They perhaps will help you understand what the nurse has said. (click on the red balloon in the corner) Take care, TAD xx

[westielady1956]

I am on o2 24/7 at 6ltrs, and have been told that that might go up, which is worrying. I have always said that I am a lazy breather. When I wake up in the morning my STAS are normally 84, my normal SATS sits at 92. But at night I have a CPAP machine which helps as it means that I have air with o2 through the night. The reason for the drop at night is because you are laying down, and of course that affects the lungs. Being on o2 24/7 does make a difference to your life, but you can get small cannisters of o2 which you can use outside so you wont be housebound. Good luck sounds like you have a good repour with your resp team.

[happyfeet59 in reply to westielady1956]

Thanks westielady1956. I am working at understanding this new regime.