Carbon monoxide is it safe

[Harris2019]

My husband has copd and has to use continuous oyxgen they have discovered he is a carbon monoxide retainer but as he has to have oxygen all the time the Dr has decided they will just monitor him for a while they have also changed all his meds. Has this happened to anyone else. Pam

[O2Trees]

I think you mean carbon dioxide Pam, never heard of carbon monoxide retention. Im not a retainer but there are a few here with carbon dioxide retention so hopefully they will be able to share their experiences.

[Harris19 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you for the correction I couldn't remember the exact wording the Dr had used when my husband seen him yesterday my husband is 73 and is getting a bit forgetful and I could not go with him yesterday as I was unwell so my daughter took him. I'm hoping others come on giving me advice Pam

[mrsmummy]

Hi Pam. It is normal to measure CO2 and to keep a check on it if it is a bit high. Sometimes it will drop back down and other times it needs some help. If they are aware that's good.

[warwickstag]

I have been on oxygen for the last 9 years and recently became a carbon dioxide retainer. I was issued with a "Nippy" CPAP machine for use overnight and this has resolved the problem. It takes a little while to get used to the tight fitting face mask and the high pressure flow of the machine but you wake up feeling less tired and less prone to the headaches associated with CO2 retention.

Carbon Monoxide incidently is the life threatening gas emitted by old and faulty gas boilers. You would not want to be inhaling this.

[sarcoid1234]

I have been told that people with COPD who are carbon dioxide retainers and are on oxygen should not put the dial (litres per minute) on their oxygen cylinder higher than prescribed.