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+--- Thread: Hypercapnia (/Thread-Hypercapnia)
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Hypercapnia - GrammaBear - 04-11-2013
Could anyone share their opinion about hypercapnia and CPAP ? I recently had some blood work done because of an electrolyte inbalance. The co2 level in the blood was higher than the lab value. I don't smoke and I don't think I have asthma either.
Is it possible that I could be rebreathing the CO2 because I pull the blankets way up over my head even though I have my CPAP machine going every night? I use the Swift FX for her mask and my machine is the S9 Autoset.
I have the climateline hose and also use the short stretch hose that attaches to the mask at one end and also attaches to the climateline at the other end.
Frequently I will wake up with a headache in the morning and I've never had many cpap problems until recently. My AHI is anywhere from 0.2 to 2.5.
My husband suggested that maybe my headaches and the higher CO2 level could be because I cover my head with our blankets.
RE: Hypercapnia - zonk - 04-11-2013
(04-11-2013, 10:37 PM)GrammaBear Wrote: Is it possible that I could be rebreathing the CO2 because I pull the blankets way up over my head even though I have my CPAP machine going every night?Re-breathing might occur if vents partly blocked by bed covers and not allowing CO2 completely flushed but you can get an oximeter to monitor oxygen levels during the night
RE: Hypercapnia - PaulaO2 - 04-11-2013
But that level would be gone with just a few minutes of waking. CO2 is expelled when we breathe out, the body is constantly doing this with each breath. It would not take long for the blood to even out.
Or at least that's how I understand it.
RE: Hypercapnia - archangle - 04-12-2013
While it's possible to cause CO2 buildup by blocking the vents, I have my doubts that any reasonable amount of blankets will block the outflow enough to matter. The pressure should be enough to lift up the blankets enough to let the air escape sideways, and even without that, it's not that hard to exhale through the blankets. You'll breath fresh air in through the hose, and exhale into the space under the blankets.
RE: Hypercapnia - Shastzi - 04-12-2013
Unless you sleep with your CPAP machine inhaling all the expired air from under your blankets, you should be fine.
In fact under normal operations your CPAP machine should be helping you out by keeping a constant air supply going past your nose that is always turning over.
I see that you wear nasal pillows...you may need to switch to full face mask... If your head is under the covers and your jaw drops open you will start re-breathing your own stale air!
Have you had any blood chemistry done? How's your hemoglobin & all that stuff?
Just my 2.5 cents.
RE: Hypercapnia - GrammaBear - 04-12-2013
I guess maybe I worry too much about the CO2, Venous being either low or high when I have blood work done. The last few times my potassium, sodium and chloride were all low. I'm not a HCP (health care professional) so I don't know if I've had the necessary blood work done that would answer your question Shastzi.
Just to satisfy my concerns I ordered this oximeter:
[link removed]
Not quite sure if I will understand the results, but hopefully it will provide something helpful.
In the future, please refer to the product by name rather than a link to the commercial site. Or refer to the commercial site using the Supplier's List. In this case, you would have said "I got a pulse oximeter from Supplier #1". - Moderator
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Moderator Action: Link Removed
To maintain our status as an educational organization, the only commercial links allowed in this forum are to CPAP-related manufacturer websites. This is stated in the Apnea Board Rules with details given in the Commercial Links Policy section.Moderator Action: Link Removed
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RE: Hypercapnia - Bompa - 04-12-2013
Check out our Wiki:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?search=+hypercapnia&fulltext=Search+the+Wiki
RE: Hypercapnia - GrammaBear - 04-12-2013
(04-12-2013, 10:14 AM)Bompa Wrote: Check out our Wiki:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?search=+hypercapnia&fulltext=Search+the+Wiki
This information is really helpful. Among other things I learned is that Benzodiazepines are not particularly helpful for someone like myself with OSA. And yet, no doctor I've ever had has ever discouraged the use of Xanax for me, but just kept renewing the prescription. The Xanax was originally prescribed because of anxiety when my Mother was terminally ill and I was having a lot of anxiety. That situation is no longer necessary as my Mother passed away in 2005. I don't understand why no HCP ever said "this medication is not helpful with your OSA?"
RE: Hypercapnia - trish6hundred - 04-12-2013
Hi GrammaBear,
I think there is another thread about getting off the benzos on this board. If you can, you should try like anything to get off those, I know it can be VERY difficult. I wish you GREAT SUCCESS with that.
RE: Hypercapnia - Shastzi - 04-12-2013
Methinks a lot of MD.s may be clueless when it comes to tailoring a given therapy to the individual.
Too many just hear the initial complaint and cha-ching! HERE! TAKE THIS! Call me back when you need some more.
Pathetic....
