Retaining carbon dioxide

[Dazbazbez]

Well my hubby was due to be discharged from hospital today after being admitted 3 times in 3 weeks,his chest infection has cleared but each time he went in he had to go on machine to get rid of carbon dioxide,well he's not been on it for 4 days and seemed fine but they tested his blood today before he was due to come home and said his levels were creeping back up.He is being referred to wythenshaw hospital for a home bpap or cpap (sorry i don't know which is which) can anyone advice us the procedure and are the home ones as big and noisy as the hospital ones ,he's feeling down due to looking forward to coming home but when he has been on it his breathing seems a bit better,i wonder if he has always had this problem but we wouldn't have known if he hadn't got took in hospital,any advice would be much appreciated.

[rsmrsnl]

Hi. I’m also a retainer and have had my Bipap machine for 2 years now and wouldn’t be without it . It sits on the bedside cabinet and is so quiet you forget it’s there. Not sure what the process is at Wythenshaw but I was referred to The home ventilation team and issued with a machine and go for 6 monthly check ups where they analyse the info from the machine, test bloods taken from earlobe and make any adjustments to input if necessary, my levels have improved immensely since getting it - in fact I’ve been today to be told my co2 is now too low but that’s because my breathing is very fast at the moment following two recent bouts of pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Hope your hubby gets the same benefits from it as I have Rose x

[astragal]

Good evening Dazbazbez

I am a chronic CO2 retainer, I went into respiratory failure twice, before I was referred to Harefield for a Nippy st Bipap.

The machine I was on in hospital was noisy and scary. The mask also wasn’t good, it didn’t fit, leaked and made me feel claustrophobic.

When I was told I would have to use a Bipap permanently I wasn’t best pleased. However the home machine is so different, compact, quiet and doesn’t blow so hard it takes your breath away.

The mask I have is a Resmed F20. It is much more comfortable, has soft silicone pillow, quick release magnetic clips, and only goes over the top of your head, no forehead plastic and strap. It is easy to put on and take off.

Mine covers nose and mouth as my mouth falls open, but you do get nasal pillows that cover just the nose, really compact.

It took me a few weeks to get used to it, but after a year I wouldn’t be without it. I use it overnight and for an hour in the afternoon.

What I would advise is to ask for a humidifier to add to it, as it would be useful to have in case. My nose dried out and became congested, I find the humidifier really helps, it connects to the machine via a short hose.

The settings for your treatment are put in by the hospital techs, then locked so you can’t accidentally alter them. Basically you just push a button and it goes.

It can really help, apart from reducing co2 it can improve sleep, reduce daytime lethargy and loosen mucus.

I hope you find it useful.

Best wishes

[Izb1 in reply to astragal]

What a very good reply Astragal x

[bobbyfloyd]

I am a retainer and have had it for years, when it is really bad going out is a big no, asked doctor and copd nurse and it is something i have to live with which was not the answer i was expecting, they said deep breathing with a breath in for 2 seconds and out for 4, it seems to work but sometimes forget and i feel not well, hope your husband gets better very soon so you can enjoy Christmas

[Dazbazbez in reply to bobbyfloyd]

Have they suggested you have a home bpap machine because hospital has given us the impression that once it starts to build up you cannot get rid of it yourself, we wouldn't have known he had it if we hadnt gone in hospital with chest infection.

[bobbyfloyd in reply to Dazbazbez]

they do not give bpap machines in wales as far as i know, will have to look into it, thank you for your reply

[CornishBrian]

Hi, been poorly since early October and now been told I need this machine. I've tried em a couple of times at hospital and found no great problems. Rather have a problem at home then having to spend time in hospital

.

[Dazbazbez in reply to CornishBrian]

Hi thanks for reply hubby would rather use one at home but hospital won't discharge him till he gets one,no idea when that will be he's gone on waiting list so he has to stay in just to go on it at night,

[CornishBrian]

That was the same roundabout I was on. I kept discharging myself. Eventually gone fiul circle via respiratory clinic. Now have to attend as out patient for tests then should leave with one. Apparently ly there are two machines that can be used ..bpap and ...cpap

[panda22]

What test do you need to check from dioxide level?