CPAPtalk.com

ChicagoGranny wrote:It is not possible to check the blood-carbon dioxide level with an instrument attached to any part of the body.

apparently, they have figured out how to measure tcPCO2 without sticking holes in ya... neat!

Guest wrote: The name of the instrument is "Sentec". it can measure the co2 level.

i really appreciate all of your answers.
My doctor told me that co2 problems rarly appear. And he told me that maybe i'm too sensitive to co2.

i really hope that some people in this community who overcome the problem(guess co2 problem) give me some advise. Because i visit four doctors and they told me that there is no way to solve the problem with using cpap.
i know most of people don't have the same problem or they can handle it by changing pressure, tightness, taping.
However, i tried all of it. I changed several variables(pressure, tightness, taping, mask type, humidity, sleeping time, and so on), but i can not find the solution.

what kind of cpap are you using? the usual method to blow off more co2 is to increase the pressure support (difference in epap and ipap) to cause you to breath more deeply. this is what bi-level is used for, among other things.

palerider wrote:

Guest wrote: The name of the instrument is "Sentec". it can measure the co2 level.

i really appreciate all of your answers.
My doctor told me that co2 problems rarly appear. And he told me that maybe i'm too sensitive to co2.

i really hope that some people in this community who overcome the problem(guess co2 problem) give me some advise. Because i visit four doctors and they told me that there is no way to solve the problem with using cpap.
i know most of people don't have the same problem or they can handle it by changing pressure, tightness, taping.
However, i tried all of it. I changed several variables(pressure, tightness, taping, mask type, humidity, sleeping time, and so on), but i can not find the solution.

what kind of cpap are you using? the usual method to blow off more co2 is to increase the pressure support (difference in epap and ipap) to cause you to breath more deeply. this is what bi-level is used for, among other things.

i'm using resmed9. Do you mean that Increaing pressure can be helpful to wash out co2? ... But i just guess that if i use higher pressure, it seems to be harder to exhale co2 from lung against pressure. isn't it?
Actually, i wonder where co2 can reach when i exhale co2. if co2 can reach hose, your suggestion may be helpful.
I'll try it! thanks~

Sang = guest
Sorry. I'm not getting used to write something on the board.

anyway, how about making some extra holes on the mask? can it be helpful to my problem?

Sang wrote:Hi

I'm using cpap for 6months. It clears apnia, but i still have co2 retention/rebreath problem. Dizzy fatigue..my life is broken now..

I had used nasl type. But i changed the mask to pillow type to reduce the spaceof mask in which co2 remains. And it works(but a little)
Next i sleep inclined. It also works(but a little...).

I really want to solve co2 problem without bipap.

If someone who solve the problem, please tell me how...

Capnography: http://www.aastweb.org/Resources/Guidel ... ardPSG.pdf

Guest wrote:

webbie73 wrote:Help us here understand. How do you know you are having a problem with co2 rebreathing?

I checked co2 level using cpap in hospital, and the level is higher than normal.

What exactly is that level?

Sang wrote:Sang = guest
Sorry. I'm not getting used to write something on the board.

anyway, how about making some extra holes on the mask? can it be helpful to my problem?

The mask has a designed leak rate that flushes CO2 and maintains pressure needed for therapy. Increasing the vent rate will have the effect of a higher leak rate, however if you use too large of a vent hole, the mask cannot maintain pressure and provide therapy. What mask brand, style and model do you use?

If the vent holes are dirty, they may need cleaning.
Making more holes is not a suggestion I would ever support. --or consider doing.
You could try using a mask liner--just to see if you are more comfortable.

Guest wrote: i'm using resmed9. Do you mean that Increaing pressure can be helpful to wash out co2? ... But i just guess that if i use higher pressure, it seems to be harder to exhale co2 from lung against pressure. isn't it?
Actually, i wonder where co2 can reach when i exhale co2. if co2 can reach hose, your suggestion may be helpful.
I'll try it! thanks~

*which* resmed s9?

it's not higher pressure, but higher difference between ipap and epap, with the non vpap s9 machines, you could try increasing epr, and at the same time, increasing pressure by whatever you increase epr by.

so, if pressure=9 and epr=0, then try pressure 12, epr=3 as an example.

Guest wrote:The name of the instrument is "Sentec". it can measure the co2 level.

Indeed it can give an estimate - http://www.sentec.ch/application-areas/neonatology.html

Thank you.

Sludge wrote:

Guest wrote:

webbie73 wrote:Help us here understand. How do you know you are having a problem with co2 rebreathing?

I checked co2 level using cpap in hospital, and the level is higher than normal.

What exactly is that level?

43mmHg. the doctor told me that the level is higher than normal(below 40)

palerider wrote:

Guest wrote: i'm using resmed9. Do you mean that Increaing pressure can be helpful to wash out co2? ... But i just guess that if i use higher pressure, it seems to be harder to exhale co2 from lung against pressure. isn't it?
Actually, i wonder where co2 can reach when i exhale co2. if co2 can reach hose, your suggestion may be helpful.
I'll try it! thanks~

*which* resmed s9?

it's not higher pressure, but higher difference between ipap and epap, with the non vpap s9 machines, you could try increasing epr, and at the same time, increasing pressure by whatever you increase epr by.

so, if pressure=9 and epr=0, then try pressure 12, epr=3 as an example.

resmed9 elite.
ill raise pressure and EPR. (9 and 1)
ill tell you if it works. Thanks!

Sang wrote:

Sludge wrote:

Guest wrote:

webbie73 wrote:Help us here understand. How do you know you are having a problem with co2 rebreathing?

I checked co2 level using cpap in hospital, and the level is higher than normal.

What exactly is that level?

43mmHg. the doctor told me that the level is higher than normal(below 40)

He's wrong.

You're fine.

Have a good life.

Do you have COPD or emphysema? CO2 levels are higher in people with those conditions. Are you using oxygen with your CPAP? Do you smoke cigarettes? You really need to speak to a Dr who knows pulmonology to get to the root of your problem. If you are bleeding additional oxygen into your CPAP, you might be using too high of a level. People with COPD usually only need 2-3 Liters/minute of oxygen bled into their CPAP mask, unless they are using a very long length of oxygen tubing (like 50 feet) and then the oxygen level might need to be increased to 4 L/minute, but only on Dr orders. They draw Arterial Blood gases in hospitals (ABGs) to see what your CO2 levels sometimes too. They usually draw the blood from your wrist artery.( I am trying not to be too specific with medical terms since I can see OP is probably not native English- speaking.) Please contact your medical professional with your questions. We are not MDs. Good luck!

codinqueen wrote: only need 2-3 Liters/minute of oxygen bled into their CPAP mask, unless they are using a very long length of oxygen tubing (like 50 feet) and then the oxygen level might need to be increased to 4 L/minute,

eh, 2-3lpm is 2-3lpm whether you're on 10 or 1000 feet of hose.

now, the pressure needed to get that 3lpm through 1000 feet of hose will be higher on the head end, but the flow rate will be the same, unless you've got a kitty that likes chewing on hose.