nebulisers

Dawn

 Hi there my mom is 49 years old and was diagnosed with COPD two years ago. Well on Monday the 24th of November she was rushed to the emergency room she then went into Cardiac Arrest and was gone 4-5 minutes and they brought her back. She was put into anbinduced coma and life flighted due to Co2 retention her co2 level was very very high like 167 she turns her oxygen up as far as it will go which im pretty sure thats what caused this. Anyways i talked to her nurse last night and she told me she would have problems with co2 retention for the rest of her life i want my mom to be able to live awhile longer cuz shes still got alot to do with her four kids and all her grandkids. Is there anything we can do to help prevent this from happening again or anything the doctors can give her to prevent it so she can atleast live a normal life without being in and out of the hospital? 

Yes Mosergirl26....

there are lots of things she can do but she needs to come on here so we don't have to repeat to her and so we can talk to her personally. I also had CO2 retention issues....and that will always be with her but they make amazing medicine now that can keep her going for many years. She is lucky to have you...get her on here with you and let's talk!! 

Ladyjack51

Ladyjack51

I would love to get her on here but unfortunately she's still in the hospital and my mom doesnt understand alot of things unless its really explained to her so thats why im seeking out help for her. She is finally off the ventilator mask and i talked to her on the phone tonight and it sounded like my mom finally but she still very confused. Ill do whatever it takes to keep her around longer cuz i didnt have her as a child until i was 13 but i know it wasnt her fault and im gonna do whatever it takes to be able to have more time with her and so her grandkids get to also. 

 Forgive me, for this is long.

Oh my!  My heart goes out to your mom and you.  Remember that I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice, however, I can share my own experiences and tips for what has helped me.

Carbon dioxide builds up in me also and has become critical many times.  As you know this is quite dangerous.  What happened to your mom is more severe than what has ever happened to me as of yet.

 My way of thinking about my condition is that since my lungs cannot properly empty themselves of the CO2, then I must do it manually.  

Growing up I wrote my own songs with the piano and later recorded them just for me.  Seven years ago, I found my CD and began to sing along with myself.  That was when I realized that I had unconsciously designed my songs to give my lungs a work out that helped me breathe better.  Long notes/exhales.  Every time I purposefully force the longest exhales I can muster up, it pushes that COs out, and relaxation follows.

So, learning and practicing breathing exercises is paramount, in my opinion, to survive COPD.  I think of it like a stick shift car.  If my lungs do not breathe properly automatically, then I must manually shift gears for them.  

Manual massage helps keep the tight long breathing muscles on the back, the neck and shoulders relaxed.  Percussion is also helpful.  Cupping the hands and gently pounding on the back and on the chest, then roll over on each side with the arm reaching up over the head while in a slanted position with the head lower than the feet.   Vibration helps loosen mucus that can be coughed up out of the way.  Here in the US they decided that percussion is not effective.   They are wrong.

Eating foods  which have anti-inflamatory properties helps also.  Research that.  And in my worst times, I grate ginger root and boil it, strain the water, then dip a cloth into it and apply it to my chest and cover that with a thick towel for about 5 minutes, then I dip another cloth into ice water and briskly rub the chest with it for a minute.  Then I repeat the process 2 more times, and do the back the same way.  It breaks up the mucus in my tight lungs.  

However, ask her doc if she can tolerate the sudden change from hot to cold with her heart condition.  That process stimulates blood circulation.

There are supplements she can take.  There is a forum on here for alternative medicine.  Go there and look for Joy and hook in with all the wonderful knowledgeable people in that forum.

The oxygen.  I do not know much about that.  My doc says it will not help my particular dysfunction.  Ask your mom's doctor to explain why it is needed and she will need to use it exactly as prescribed.  I understand the panic and exhaustion that comes with feeling suffocation.  But we cannot over due any medication, just as we cannot skip any either.

Your mother is young and while I do not know at what level her lungs are functioning, finding the right pulmonary and allergy specialists is important.  Finding the right combination of medications is important, and that is through trial and error with the doctors.

 And Tell your mom that SHE is the MOST IMPORTANT member of the medical team helping her.  Ask questions and do not settle for mediocrity and never wait too long to go for help.

 Exercise is crucial, but learn to gauge the intensity of it in relation to her ever changing lungs.  While walking I count my breath in and then slowly exhale and count that out.  I learned about myself that way and the regimented breathing taught me not to panic and to reach and push myself beyond my comfort zone when I  exhaled and to be in control of my lungs, as much as possible.

Very important: EXERCISE WILL NOT IMPROVE HER LUNG CONDITION, HOWEVER, IT WILL HELP CONDITION HER BODY TO LEARN TO EXERCISE WITH LESS OXYGEN, thereby creating a greater sense of ease.

When using inhaled medications, always exhale until panic sets in and then suck the med in with your deepest breath, then hold that med in for 12 seconds before blowing out again.

Her environment must be safe for breathing.  Air purifiers, no smoke or known allergens.

Your mom is a soldier now.  Fighting a war to breathe.  There is no easy way out like turning up her oxygen.  Tell her she can do this.  COPD will redefine her world to some degree, but it does not have to control every facet of her life.  

Never panic and cry in a breathing attack for it will worsen it.  Find a happy place to mentally travel to when bad off and practice slow chest breathing to avoid hyperventilating. 

Most of all, NO FEAR.  Hope is stronger.  Be proactive.  Research.  The more you know the less you fear.

All my best,

Dawn

Good girl...Attitude is everything. Earlier I replied to you before seeing the other replies from some folks to you so your responses helped answer some questions. One thing is you need to talk to the Dr or nurses While she is in the hospital and get lots of questions answered. They do so much to us while in the hospital so we can know more about her prognosis when she is released. Then u can tell us what they told u about her status and we can help you more at that point. Do you think that makes sense? I don't want to misspeak about anything while she is in there bc i don't know her details and status. Keep in touch...I'm glad she sounded a bit better today. She's gonna get better and better. Let me know....

has anyone ever heard of rpl554?