Being A Retainer of CO2...: Just to... - Lung Conditions C...

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Being A Retainer of CO2...

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Just to emphasise being a CO2 retainer...it's extremely important not to alter your own oxygen levels on your cylinders etc...and you can't have really long plastic tubing either...none of this taking yards and yards down the garden path malarkey!

It's confirmed by having 'blood gases' done...that's a little nick in the artery of your wrist...can make you hop about a bit...doesn't last long though and I've had plenty done.

Being a retainer means the levels of carbon dioxide exceed the level of oxygen in your system...that is a quote directly from my Consultant...I'd never heard of it before until she told me...

Also being a retainer is life threatening...just to keep us on our toes...if the levels of CO2 rise rapidly then you can go into a coma which can lead to death...a bit like a deep sea diver experiencing the 'bends'...

Headaches on waking...nightmares or night terrors...a feeling of being 'spaced out'...abnormal drowsiness... may all be symptoms of CO2 retention.

Please remember I'm no expert...what I've learned is straight from my Consultant...if you are in the slightest bit worried, see your Doctor and ask for advice...

It is extremely important to have the information about being a retainer somewhere visible...a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace for instance...it ensures that ambulance people and Emergency ward staff know not to give you too high a dose of oxygen which would do more harm than good...

And remember you can be a retainer even if you aren't receiving supplementary oxygen...so any concerns please ask your Doctor or Consultant.

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13 Replies

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CELAT069 years ago

That's very helpful, thanks, think I will get it checked out next time I have my review.

2malinka9 years ago

I too am a co2 retainer. Harefield Hospital confirmed that it is borderline. I am on 1/2 litre oxygen min 15 hours daily. Whenever I have increased oxy I always felt worse. The NIPPY Machine I was given by Harefield was no use. I still don't sleep unless I take sleeping pills or the natural remedies.

Take care

Malinka

snail9 years ago

Why can't you have long tubing if you are a co2 retainer?

Toci9 years ago

I was wondering about the long tubing too, as mine reaches to the bottom of my garden and nobody has ever queried it.

knitter9 years ago

Thanks Vashti for the post...it looks like I have all the symptoms, I know last time when I was I hospital I was given nebuliser salbutamol through oxygen....the oximeter went haywire...lots of alarm bells and my SATS fell.

Looks like a blood gases test for me...when I have got over this fluey type bug which has laid me low the last few days.

Take care

maccas9 years ago

Hi vashti

I too an a CO2 retainer and recently went into a coma and nearly died after my sats dropped to below 70. I also have sleep apnea which complicates things but the main thing I was told to watch for in future is flapping hands. If you google it on utube I think there are some good examples. My respiratory nurse told me that is the easiest way for us to tell if I am retaining CO2. I have had 3 bad episodes now and am terrified of it happening again as they can't keep bringing me back. I now have a CPAP machine which helps me breathe continuously overnight so i have had two months symptom free now. Carole x

• in reply tomaccas9 years ago

That was so informative...just watched some of the Youtube vids...but having said it was informative, some was rather frightening as well...oh well...onwards and upwards and I do hope you never have another scary episode! xx

maccas9 years ago

So do I Vashti so do I!! I check my hands every morning and night now! Xx

snail9 years ago

Does anybody know why you shouldn't have long tubing if you are a C02 retainer?

• in reply tosnail9 years ago

I can only quote the Consultant I see and she says the longer the tubing the less effective the oxygen supply...which makes sense when you think...why she confined it to CO2 retainers I honestly don't know....perhaps someone else might...

snail• in reply to9 years ago

Thank you for your reply. I have always been told by Air Liquide 'You can have the tubing as long as you want when they come to service the concentrator. Perhaps l should query this!

• in reply tosnail9 years ago

I have a firm called Baywater...actually now known by a different name that I can't remember at the minute...their people also said I couldn't have a long tube...they suggested a long electrical cable instead...

Please remember I'm no expert...only quoting what I've been told and everyone is different after all. But it might be worth you asking further?

Toci• in reply to9 years ago

This is weird because I have Baywater and have high CO2 and have very long tubing. I have posted recently about length of tubing and am just getting more confused about it. I think I may give them a ring tomorrow.

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