Question About COPD and Oxygen

[LAuser78]

Has a Doctor Told Any of You that Oxygen Shouldn't Be Given to Patients with COPD? If Yes, Why? If you get Oxygen with COPD, what are the Benefits and/or Drawbacks?

[SarahEG]

Hi LAuser78, I'm prescribed oxygen in order to keep up my fitness levels. I've got severe COPD. Why do you ask?

[LAuser78 in reply to SarahEG]

Hello. I ask because I was inpatient about a month ago getting tests for my heart when a doctor said that oxygen use for COPD is absolutely not a good thing at all. I was wondering what he meant or if he was just pulling that statement right out of his backside. I rather think some doctors will give an emphatic statement to brush off having to explain the actual reality of an condition and the various things that that condition entails. Conscientious patients have to take the time to understand their conditions so they are knowledgeable and an intricate participant in their health care

[Thepainterswife in reply to LAuser78]

It was a nurse at the respiratory clinic who first decided my husband Geoff would benefit from O2 but the consultant who we saw in the same clinic on the same day was very non commital , he just said it was entirely up to Geoff to try if he felt it would be of benefit to him but didn’t seem overly impressed himself. That was 5 years ago and whilst I’m sure he needs some O2 now I’m not sure he did then , he always said he felt no benefit whatsoever during the first few years but the nurses insisted that it was keeping his organs healthy 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Caspiana]

Yes, this can happen if someone is a severe retainer. Meaning they retain a lot of Carbon dioxide. Oxygen therapy is good for people who fit the criteria for it. But not everyone does.

Best wishes,

Cas 🍀

[Thepainterswife]

My husband has been on oxygen since 2016 , however at the end of 2019 he was rushed into hospital suffering from respiratory failure caused by Co2 retention. A very frightening and dangerous experience Basically he can breathe in the oxygen but struggles to breathe out the Co2 which eventually builds to dangerous levels . He is still on oxygen but reduced from 3 to 1 and he carries a card saying he is oxygen sensitive and normal oxygen levels for him are 88/92 so that in the event of an accident paramedics wouldn’t raise his oxygen levels too high which would put him in great danger My husband does benefit from supplementary oxygen it does help when he is very breathless but oxygen usage isn’t as simple as people might think Hope this answers your question 😊

[Maricopa]

I’m a retainer and have not been prescribed oxygen yet. If and when I am I’ve been told 1 to 1.5 lpm and that might not even be safe

[Caspiana in reply to Maricopa]

Me too. I was only on 2 liters per minute. They said anymore would have been detrimental. xx

[Thepainterswife in reply to Caspiana]

Have you been taken off it now Cas? It’s a difficult balancing act isn’t it ? We are still very frightened that there might be a repeat of the 2019 event and the worse part is there is no way of measuring the Co2 levels other than blood tests . On the other hand we all need adequate oxygen levels for efficient functioning of other organs apart from the lungs and now it seems Geoff s heart is being affected more than previously I think he really needs the O2 - catch 22? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Despite all the above he’s doing fantastically well at the moment 🤗 Hope you are keeping well too 🥰❤️ xxx

[Poppy2525 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Hi I am a retainer but I have a Bi-PAP machine I am on for 10 x hours a night to help get rid of the Co2 and it seems to work, I haven't had a flare up or been ill since May 2019 (touch wood) might be worth asking about that.

[Thepainterswife in reply to Poppy2525]

Hi Poppy2525, Geoff had the Bi pap during his hospital stay but we were told he would only be given one for home use if he was admitted to hospital several times with raised Co2 levels . Thankfully we haven’t had a repeat of that particular problem up to now but it does mean we have to live with the knowledge that the Co2 levels may well be rising unbeknown to us 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Albertisadog1991 in reply to Poppy2525]

Hi Poppy - I have also been put on a machine for night use. Following a few weeks in hospital. Unfortunately I am unable to sleep for the required time due to having a broken nose and deviated centre with pollips . This is very painful and doesn't help sleep.The sleep nurse has given me a nose spray and a gadget to fit into the rear of the machine - where water is heated. This helps a little - but doesn't stop my nose blocking up and having to breath through my mouth.

In my 85th year I am not used to this - and would be grateful for any suggestions you can give ...... please.

[Caspiana in reply to Thepainterswife]

Hello 👋😊 Since transplant I have not needed oxygen actually. I am very lucky. You are right, it is impossible to measure CO2 levels but severe retention often comes with the tell tale signs like excessive drowsiness, incoherent mumblings, trouble waking up, headaches, blue lips, nausea, dizziness and imbalance. I think the way forward with regards to Geoff's oxygen therapy is that it is carefully monitored by the team that prescribed it. Too much and he risks being poisoned. I am doing okay thank you 😊 *whispering* I am going through what my mother calls "the change" and it is far more difficult than I thought it would be. But other than that finally after four weeks of feeling virusy I feel a bit normal. Thank you for asking. Sending love to you both. xx 💕

[Thepainterswife in reply to Caspiana]

You’re right Cas I knew when Geoff was taken to hospital a few weeks ago that the symptoms were different from the ones last year , both involved fighting for every breath but last year Geoff was confused , shaky and just not like his usual self I think now I would know the difference between retention of Co2 and an exacerbation I’m so pleased your doing so well since the transplant 😃 the (hand over mouth lol) “change” is horrendous but absolutely brilliant when you come out the other side like being given a new lease of life . Glad you’re feeling better , just make sure you keep yourself safe and away from nasty little bugs 🙏❤️ Xx

[LAuser78]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I'm learning a lot from you all