acute respiratory acidosis

[Cubangirl]

has anybody had this ? I’ve just been discharged from hospital after having this very frightening episode that is completely new to me

[Ergendl]

This is basically where your lungs aren't able to blow off the acidic substances in your blood to keep it to a normal pH level, which is usually an average 7.4, slightly alkaline.

Our bodies are usually very good at maintaining the right pH levels in the blood, but sometimes when the lungs aren't working so well, this doesn't happen.

My late husband Bob used to have this and couldn't eat foods high in vinegar such as pickles and some sauces, because his COPD-damaged lungs weren't able to cope.

Hoping things are settling down for you now. All the best.

[Coughingalltheway]

Hi,

Yes I have and I agree, it is very frightening. It happened to me back in April, I collapsed and when I woke up, I found myself in Resus in a bipap mask. I was on that for about 12 hours before they sent me up to the ward. I was given 10 days worth of steroid pills and sent home.

I finally have an appointment with a respiratory consultant next week so she should be able to tell me more but I have had a lung fuction test and googled my symptoms to death (excuse the pun) and I'm fairly sure that I have eosinophilic copd or what we call 'being a retainer' in the lung community.

You should be referred to your community respiratory team if this has happened to you. It took about 3 months before mine contacted me because they're very busy, but they are so knowledgeable and helpful, I hope that you don't have to wait too long for that.

6 months down the line, I am still anxious about it happening again but I am no longer terrified like I was when I was first discharged from hospital.

If you're on FB, there is also a support group with lots of information, that's where I found out that I was a retainer.

Good luck and feel free to post as much as you'd like. We're all here to help and I'm sure that more people will comment soon.

Jan xx

[leo60]

Hello! Yes, I have had this and it is very scary. I had been put onto oxygen and as I got more breathless over the weeks they increased my flow. I ended up in A&E for a second time (first time they sent me home with increased oxygen 😱) and while I was waiting the put me up to 6l . I was delirious and had no idea what was going on. Eventually, after trying to send me home on 6l, my daughter managed to get them to keep me in and they did an ABG and found I was seriously ill. I spent nearly 3 months in hospital being weaned off the vast quantities of oxygen (and prednislone the doctor had given me to "help"). I was sent home on .75 l with a bi-pap to help get rid of the CO2. It took nearly a year to get back to where I had been, but nearly 2 years on, I am better than before.

You don't say what they have said, but if you are at all worried, you must speak to your specialist or respiratory team. Don't panic, but make medics aware if you have an episode.

I hope you're back to normal soon xx

[Patk1]

I've type 2 respiratory failure and for many years have been on bipap NIV which helps to keep Airways open - my alveoli were collapsing,trapping c02,and not letting 02 in.bipap overnight + when tired,02 low,or ill has helped a lot.do make a note of any questions or concerns u have,for nxt appointment

[Cubangirl in reply to Patk1]

hi guys thanks so much for your prompt responses 👍🏼I have suffered from copd , asthma and bronchiectasis for the last 14 years 😳obviously becoming worse over time !! I had left lower lobe reduction surgery at St Barts in London 2022 which was to a degree successful . But over the last year my health has declined rapidly so much so that I now have carerer for most of the day ❤️‍🩹👍🏼but this episode of acute respiratory acidosis was a bit of a shocker !!! They have told me I will need Bipap at home ☹️and that this could happen again 😭in all honesty I felt the Drs were more interested in getting me to agree to DNR order 🤷‍♀️why would they do this when I was at my most vulnerable and quite confused I didn’t think I had the where with all to make such a choice 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️