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Has anyone been diagnosed with low carbon dioxide (CO2)?
I was diagnosed with long COVID 6/24 and was slowly improving until a viral infection in 9/25 put me back to ground zero. I was referred to the aero space dept at Mayo and they found low CO2 levels causing chronic respiratory alkalosis. My Dr. feels that it is the root to the myriad of symptoms that I’ve been experiencing. He equated it to having altitude sickness for 2 years, He also stated that he has been seeing many patients 1-2 years into a long COVID diagnosis with this same condition and that it could be treated much quicker if primary doctors would order an arterial blood gas draw. I’m now on a treatment plan of medication and PT which should gradually bring me back to normal over the next year. I’m very hopeful.
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@azlynn5, this is interesting and I don't believe low carbon dioxide (CO2) been discussed in the forum before.
For anyone interested, "respiratory alkalosis is a condition that happens when your blood doesn’t have enough carbon dioxide in it, making your blood pH (acid-base balance) rise. This can happen if you’re over-breathing (hyperventilating) and releasing too much carbon dioxide from your body. Your blood pH level rises when you don’t have enough carbon dioxide. PH levels above 7.45 are considered alkalosis." Read more: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21657-respiratory-alkalosis
@azlynn5, what type of PT exercises do you do? Is it helping?
Hello! My husband is also seeing AeroSpace Dr at Mayo Scottsdale for the last 3 years. He has "altitude sickness" sickness even in low altitude Phoenix. Sounds like he is on the same treatment. It's been a very rough 3 years. He still experiences days of not being able to do anything due to fatigue and exhaustion. Additional symptoms are severe Gerd (never had before Covid), chronic cough (Never had before covid), severe sensitivities to certain foods as well as food allergies that he's never had before.
His "therapy" is to use this device 3times a day
THE BREATHER │ Natural Breathing Exerciser Trainer For Drug-Free Respiratory Therapy
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1 Reaction@colleenyoung I just started therapy a couple of weeks ago and was told that it would be a gradual progression over 9-12 months. So far I have been walking in the pool with water up to neck level for 30 min each day(this forces diaphragmatic breathing), using a little device called a breather 2 times per day, practicing box breathing and deep breathing exercises multiple times each day. Also when very symptomatic, either breathe into a 20 oz bottle with an eraser sized whole cut into it near the top of the bottle or place half of an Airborne effervescent table directly on your tongue and breathe through your mouth as it foams and fizzes . Both of those options give you a CO2 quick bump. I also started using an APAP machine last week to aid in overnight breathing. I start respiratory PT next week. So far I’ve seen a slight decrease in symptoms. I don’t breakout in a sweat every time I eat, my arm doesn’t fall asleep all the time, I’m not as shaky, and my heart rate is getting back to a more normal level so I don’t feel as anxious. My chronic fatigue, brain fog, and GI issues are still very present but I always carry the Airborne tablets with me and they do provide a very quick recovery response. The other key is pacing your activities and resting frequently. Cardio workouts or anything that raises your heart rate is advised against since it uses CO2. Pool walking, walking, stretching exercises, and mild yoga are encouraged.
@addataylor I’m using the Breather device too. So your husband was diagnosed 3 years ago and it still hasn’t resolved? I’m so sorry that he is experiencing this. I was just diagnosed with the “altitude sickness” at reg altitude and they gave me a 9-12 months expected recovery time. I’m praying that this timeframe is feasible. I’m so ready to get back to “normal”! Is he also on acetazolamide?
Has he experienced any spontaneous rashes? Over the summertime my arms broke out in burning rashes twice without any observable trigger. Not sure if it has anything to do with my long COVID issues.
I have never heard of this - but I am very interested in knowing exactly what your symptoms were/are. I have had Post-Covid syndrome since early 2023. What does it feel like to have low CO2??
I really hope this treatment works for you and your life really improves!
My symptoms include chronic fatigue, brain fog, upset stomach and other GI issues causing weight loss, feeling shaky and weak if I don’t eat every 2 hrs, lightheaded, increased heart rate even when seated causing a general feeling of anxiety, some chest pain, and sleep disturbance. Essentially every organ of your body is oxygen deprived so the symptoms can be very broad. Google “altitude sickness symptoms” as it’s my understanding that this condition is the same as altitude sickness except you develop it at normal altitudes. It was explained to me that it can be triggered by several things including viral infections like COVID, COPD, certain heart conditions, or untreated sleep apnea. The thought is that mine was triggered by COVID. They determine if you have it by an arterial blood gas draw in addition to looking at standard blood and urine tests
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1 Reaction@azlynn5 he is doing the exact same regiment as you and also taking Acetazolamide slow release and instant when needed (traveling North, and more strenuous activity e.g. yardwork). In all honesty, his routine is not as "routine" as it should be. 🙁
I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope that he is on a gradual road to recovery ❤️