carbon dioxide

[child]

Does anyone know anything about retaining carbon dioxide ,my father is doing this at moment in hospital and its really worrying me !!

[elian]

Hello child

I'm a co2 retainer and if the hospital have identified your father as the same, then rest assured they'll be doing all they can to address the problem. I've had four stays in hospital since last November and now have a BiPAP machine at home to extract the carbon dioxide from my system when I exhale, and when I inhale it forces the all important oxygen to the bottom of my lungs to prevent their collapse. The machine works well (I wear a mask at night attached to the machine as well as my oxygen pipe) and, since starting to use it, I've felt much better.

Wearing the mask can be frightening for some people at first, as it does take a little getting used to, but the benefits far outweight any discomfort.

I do hope your father's condition improves, please pass on my good wishes to him, and I also hope I've helped to lessen your worries.

[tattyted in reply to elian]

Hi

Hope all are well ... how do you tell if your a co2 retainer, ive just given up smoking and when they cheque my co its not going down even though ive not smoked

thanks

sue

xxx

[elian in reply to tattyted]

Hello tattyted

During recent stays in hospital I was on oxygen 24/7 for the first few days after admission, but as soon as the consultant said I could come off it, within a few hours my sats had dropped to a dangerously low level again, so several arterial blood samples were taken and that's when it was discovered that I retain CO2.

[tattyted in reply to elian]

thanks so much xxx

[child in reply to elian]

Thankyou !

[copdliving]

I use a Power Lung every day to strengthen my diagphram (sp) I have used it almost every day for the past 5 years. IT seems to help the lungs expel CO2. Here's the one I have.

seachangeforlife.com/Power_...

[Hidden]

My doctor prescribed a power breather for the same reasons, I use it every day

powerbreathe.com/

[Hidden]

Hi child

You don't say whether your dad is in hospital as a result of his co2 retention, or whether he was hospitalised during an exacerbation. Most if not all of us get a degree of co2 retention during a serious exacerbation, just as many need 02 in such circumstances. For many, the need for 02, and the state of co2 retention, ends as we recover and so we come off 02 either before or soon after returning home, or in the case of co2 retention it too rights itself as we recover.

Another C02 scenario is when it occurs as part of the natural progression of the disease. Many patients with very severe copd will have C02 retention - just as it is hard to get enough 02 into our bloodstream, it becomes harder to get the waste - CO2 - back out again.

Your dads CO2 will be monitored just as his 02 will be. If the problem continues he will be given bi pap to take home with him - assuming he doesn't already have this. Don't be afraid to voice your fears to the hospital staff treating him - they should be able to explain things and reassure you as to what is happening. Likewise, remember you can always phone the BLF helpline - that is what they are there for and they will be happy to be of service to you. Best wishes to you and your family, Parvati x

[child in reply to Hidden]

thankyou so much ! everyone on here is so kind ! he is in hospital at the moment and still on a n.i.v. at night but doing ok x

[alanh45]

I retain Co2 and I was in hospital and they tried me with a CPAP machine but I couldn't tolerate it. I was very ill at the time but now I am home I will see if I can try it again as I do need to lower my Co2

[elian in reply to alanh45]

Did you find the mask claustrophobic alan ?

I didn't like the full face mask I was asked to use whilst in hospital, or even the one that went over just my nose, but recently I asked my respiratory consultant whether there were any other type of mask and he gave me a Breeze SleepGear which is very comfortable and not at all claustrophobic.

Here's a link to a picture:

ezcpap.com/images/products/...

[Hidden in reply to elian]

this link will not conect

[mrsmummy in reply to Hidden]

That may be because this is a 5-year-old post. There are more recent posts here:

healthunlocked.com/blf

[dorall]

Please try and use your Cpap its a great machine for lowering C02...i have used one for over 5 years..it takes a while to get used to the mask but now i cant sleep without mine.Once you get used to wearing it you should feel so much better...as in no morning headaches and much more energy.Good luck.

[alanh45]

Yes I did elian and to make things worse I breathe through my nose and that was blocked. I kept it on for 40 minutes and had to take it off

[elian in reply to alanh45]

Bad luck on the blocked nose Alan

Have you thought of trying again ? The full face mask is handy if your nose is blocked, but you do tend to end up with a very dry mouth unfortunately

Did you take a look at the link I posted ?

[alanh45]

Elian I did look and that looks a lot better than a full face mask. I will be seeing my respiratory consultant and I will ask him about the cpap and I will try and get used it.