Co2 retainer

[Gatesheadlass]

Co2 retainer

I see a lot of posts on here about being a co2 retainer, how can you tell,and what affect does it have . I am on spivera seretide and ventolin and still get very breathless on walking

[nharder]

Hi I think I can answer your question, when your CO2 increases your pH decreases and your oxygen levels will also decrease. So if you are a true CO2 retainer you get used to that. So if you give too much O2 it can wipe out your respiratory drive. So in not so many words you stop breathing, b/c your brain thinks it has enough oxygen. I hope that this helps. Nadine

[Ergendl in reply to nharder]

So maybe I am because I sometimes find myself not breathing for a while (and have for several years), especially when I sing something demanding. But I've never had my bloods checked as I've just got moderate COPD and was diagnosed by my Practice Nurse. That could also explain why I get uric acid crystals in my feet - they tend to crystalise in more acid blood.

[RibvanRey]

If you are retaining CO2 it will show up when you have your arterial bloods done at the oxygen clinic. If you have your bloods done at home by the Pulmonary Nurse then she too will see at a glance that your levels have raised and inform you.

If you are worried about this just ring you oxygen clinic and mention this to the pulmonary staff.

Regards Rib

[nharder]

RibvanRey is right, the only way to tell is by an Arterial Blood Gas. This is blood taken from an artery instead of a vein. So this is blood coming straight from the heart and lungs, and not returning. So this blood gives different information for the Dr. to look at, this is where they get your true levels of CO2,O2,Ph,and bicarb. All of these have something to do with how someone breaths, and that is the best way to measure CO2 levels. I hope this helps, take care, Nadine

[Gatesheadlass in reply to nharder]

I have never been offerered such a test so I have no idea if I am a CO2 retainer. Does it make a difference to your condition or treatment?

[nharder in reply to Gatesheadlass]

It depends, not everyone is the same so they are treated as so. Are you on O2? Are you having any problems with it? What were you diagnosed with? How long ago were you diagnosed? All of this factors into it. Were you a smoker and how much? I would think that your Dr. if he/she thought it was a possibility the ABG would have been ordered. I hope this helps, Take care, Nadine ☺

[DavidTSr50]

Hi Co2retainer David Sr. who lives in the Hyde Park area a suburb of Chicago, IL. I am seeing a lung doctor at the University of Chicago Hospital 5/3/15 to see if I have cancer in my Left Lung OH! by the way I used Spriva for my Pulmonary Fibrosis in my Right lung until my Medicad refused to pay for it so my lung Doctor had to give me something else so he decides to give me a Nebulizer plus Ventoilin for my Disease hoping that it would work, but it was a hassell so I asked my Doctor for something different so he decides to put me on a in haler called Asmanex Twist Inhaler. So one day I went for a check up and he decides it is the time to X-Ray my Left Lung and they found a small white spot on my Left Lung so when I go back I will find out what the results of the X-Ray is so I hope you will post me back so I can support your disease so I will close for now so Co2retainer hung in their signing off for now David Tormala Sr.. .

[frank65]

what are you doing wrong i have copd istill run up and down stairs and i went shopping in town today and i am 70 but i do'nt let it run me i run it