Carbon Dioxide Retainer

[NuttyNan9]

Hi everyone 🙂 I joined about a month ago and I've seen everyone on here seems to be very supportive of each other and I think that's brilliant 🙂 I've been diagnosed with COPD for over 10 years and a few days after Christmas I ended up in hospital yet again. This time was far worse than any of my previous episodes, I was already half way through my second rescue pack when I collapsed at home more short of breath than I've ever been before. My family called an ambulance and when it arrived they put me on oxygen and then phoned through to the hospital to say have resus on stand by, which scared me as they've never done that before. I ended up spending 12 days in hospital, had 3 lots of antibiotics and then was discharged with oxygen 24/7 and a red medic alert bracelet stating that I'm on low flow oxygen as I'm a carbon dioxide retainer. Other than that no one has really explained anything to me and the earliest appointment I could get with my Dr is still 3 weeks away. I was just wondering if anyone on here could give me some idea of what carbon dioxide retainer actually means ( besides the obvious of course 🙂 ) Thank you in advance for any information anyone can help me with 🙂 Gloria

[Corin1950]

Hi Gloria and welcome.

My husband has severe emphysema and has been very ill and hospitalised in the last year. You can read my previous posts for the full story. Like you he retains carbon dioxide. On his last visit he was given a bipap machine which he uses at night with a mask . This removes carbon dioxide from his lungs. When he went back for his 6 week check after using the machine every night his carbon dioxide levels were in the normal range so he was told he could keep the machine and to continue to use it and go back for a further check in a year's time. He does not need oxygen as his levels are ok although when he was very ill in Switzerland a year ago he was put on a low level of oxygen which was stopped 3 months later when he returned to England.

Hope that's helpful

Take care

Corin

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Corin1950]

Hi Corinne, and thanks for replying. I hope your husband is feeling better now. As I said I'm very new to this and you say about your husband retaining CO2 in his lungs. My doctor said about the CO2 levels in my blood so now I'm unsure if this is 2 seperate issues or if it just the same thing. Sorry if I sound rather silly 🙁 Gloria

[Corin1950 in reply to Corin1950]

I think it's the same thing because 'An Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG) is a blood test that measures the acidity, or pH, and the levels of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from an artery. The test is used to check the function of the patient's lungs and how well they are able to move oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.'

My husband has had that test several times in A&E. He retains Carbon dioxide in his lungs because of his emphysema. This is also referred to as 'air trapping' and is what emphysema causes. His bipap machine removes the carbon dioxide at night which makes him more comfortable during the day. Each case is slightly different and it's up to your consultant to work with you to determine what works best for you.

Best wishes

Corin

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you for clarifying that for me 🙂 I've learnt so much in such a short time on this site because everyone is so very helpful 🙂

[PMRPete]

Hypercapnia, also known as hypercarbia and CO2 retention.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper...

copdfoundation.org/COPD360s...

[NuttyNan9 in reply to PMRPete]

Thank you so much for these links 🙂 really don't know why I didn't think to Google it myself. Very informative and explains some of the other problems I've been experiencing recently 🙂 Thank you Gloria

[Feelingblessed2013]

Hi Gloria, I was diagnosed with emphysema (aka copd) almost 6 years ago. It was explained to me a few years ago that people with copd tend to retain carbon dioxide. Due to the damage copd does to their lungs, they don't exhale fully. The carbon dioxide (CO2) slowly accumulates in your lungs leaving less room for oxygen.

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thank you for your reply and this is where I get confused because my Dr in the hospital didn't say anything about CO2 accumulating in my lungs. They kept taking blood from the arteries on the wrists and saying I had too much CO2 in my blood, so I'm unsure if this is one and the same problem. I certainly have plenty of questions lined up for my GP when I see him next month though 🙂 Once again thank you to everyone that's answered because you've all helped me to either understand better or add to my list of questions 🙂

[Izb1]

Hi Gloria and welcome, sorry I cant advise you on this but Im sure many will. I do hope that you get some answers and can deal with the problems that you are faced with at the moment. Irene x

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Izb1]

Thanks for your reply 🙂 and I've already learnt so much in such a short time on this site 🙂

[bobbyfloyd]

This was explained to me quite a few years ago, they said try to breath out fully as possible, sometimes when really short of breath this is not possible but do try, it is just one of the many things people with C O P D have to cope with daily, all the best

[NuttyNan9 in reply to bobbyfloyd]

Thank you for your reply and yes I've previously been told to breathe out and empty the lungs as much as possible but never been told anything about why. Except that it improves the breathing and clears the lungs out better. Never any mention of CO2 being retained in the blood. Still we live and learn as the saying goes 🙂 Thanks again Gloria

[Spacecat1]

I have lived with the CO2 retention for 18 months. I do breathing exercise during the day and use oxygen both in the house and when out. When I was first diagnosed the doctor insisted I had to on weight. People had said I had lost weight but I just made excuses luckily in hospital they put me on preslidone and suddenly started eating again. I went from 5 and half stone back up to 8. stones. I do get chest infections but luckily have my rescue pack and family. To see Mr through. Look after yourself

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Spacecat1]

Thank you 🙂 as I said I've had COPD for years and lost weight, I've struggled to try and put weight on but nothing seemed to work. When I was admitted to hospital this time I saw a new consultant and he diagnosed the CO2 retention and put me onto oxygen 24/7 which has made me feel much better. He also arranged for me to see a nutritionist and she's put me on fortisip 3 times a day and they are actually helping alot. For the first time in years my weight has actually crept above 6 stone so hopefully I'll be able to get to my "old" weight of 8 stone 🙂 just as you've managed to 🙂 yes I also have my rescue pack and my wonderful family around me 🙂 keep well

[Spacecat1 in reply to NuttyNan9]

Same here I was sent to a nutritionist after several weeks of fortisips I loved them except the milky one. I did go down to a size 6 but after the drinks and starting to eat again I went back to a size 12. So somebody had to open his wallet to buy me some new clothes. I got it into my head being size 6 was good. Then I was taken into hospital and put on some tablets and my appetite came back. I do feel different happier about myself. Just got sort out the breathing sorted next

[NuttyNan9 in reply to Spacecat1]

I know what you mean as I convinced myself that my size 6 was normal, but I think we do that rather than face up to the fact that we have a serious problem. Although I've only put on a few pounds I already feel better for it 🙂 keep well

[ladytelita]

Hi Gloria, I hope you are feeling more informed now. So many people on here of tremendous help. I would be lost without them.

I don’t wish to leap on your post and hijack but I am wondering if people with breathing disorders retain CO2? I know I was told I breathe in and out for the same amount of time and my lungs are hyperinflated because of it. Often feel oxygen starved and have to take in deep breaths regularly. I didn’t realise how much until it was pointed out. I’m now starting breathing exercises under guidance and thankfully don’t need oxygen so far.

Truly wishing you the very best.

P.

[NuttyNan9 in reply to ladytelita]

Thank you for your reply and I'm pleased for you that you don't need oxygen 😶 wether CO2 retention affects everyone with lung problems I wouldn't know, but if the breathing exercises are working for you that's definitely a bonus🙂 keep well

[Spacecat1]

Keep it up you will gain wait slowly. I do feel better for gaining the weight. Good luck

[RibvanRey]

Depending upon how tired I am I can become very short of breath whilst eating just the first few mouthfuls. The worst thing is trying to eat in hospitals. By the time I have cut up the plate of food prior to eating I am always too exhausted to begin consuming the meal immediately. Then invariably a member of staff will appear, tut tut, and take my meal away, deaf to my quietly spoken request to leave. No amount of requests / education of the ward staff upon my arrival on the ward as to my slow ability to eat and suggested help to cut my food for me so that I can finish eating closer to the other inmates.

Regards Rib

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to RibvanRey]

That's really sad. You're not going to improve if you're not eating. To have your food and your efforts just taken away unthinkingly must be very disheartening.

[RibvanRey in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you for your concern. I must point out that I am rarely treated in hospital. My medical notes are Red Flagged - To Be Treated At Home. So unless I have another stroke or heart attack etc, I am unlikely to get taken in. So all the time I am at home my wife and my care team see to it that I am kept fed and watered. With only the one patient to care for they can ensure that my food is cut-up and served at just the right temp and amounts that suit my condition as it is at that time.

I am sorry if I caused any confusion with that.

Kind regards, Rib

[Hacienda]

Morning Hun, I have seen your post re CD, Having had this problem for a long time, I now have had it fully explained by you and your Replies. The Oxygen Nurse gave me The results of my Recent Blood Gases Assessment which indicates my CD is very high, The Nurses are coming back on 1st may to Do another Home Oxygen Assessment. They think this is the reason my "valves" have stopped working. As much as I have got on with my Consultant, She has not explained any of this in the Past, (I'm Talking Years here). I am still waiting for Results from my CT Scan from two weeks ago....She is on Holiday so I will Have to wait. I can see by the numbers in front of me that the carbon Dioxide is very High at 94% saturation on 2 Ltrs. So, again thank you for Your Post Hun. Going Back about 4/5 Years I was underweight without realizing it, The old Photo's show me this gaunt faced Woman, Now the opposite, I'm always on a Diet. The Pred's Keep us alive, then make us FAT. Still alive though. Love n Hugs . xxxxx