Has anyone been diagnosed with low carbon dioxide (CO2)?

Posted by azlynn5 @azlynn5, Oct 15, 2025

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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EKH | @erinhastedt | Jan 31 6:08am

In reply to @addataylor "Hello! My husband is also seeing AeroSpace Dr at Mayo Scottsdale for the last 3 years...." + (show)

@addataylor
I commented on this thread already but wanted to chime in and say I'm on the exact same plan with the same DR. I'd love to hear how he progresses. My recovery has been slow and inconsistent. I wish there were easier ways to get CO2 levels back! Best of luck.

azlynn5 | @azlynn5 | Jan 31 2:45pm

I’m now three months into the treatment plan. I was seeing some improvements, but when I started to increase my dosage of acetazolamide so that I could start using the slow release version, I started to feel very anxious and symptomatic. They have taken me totally off of the acetazolamide for a week and I’m supposed to go on a different medication this week. I’ve been feeling pretty awful this week and my apnea episodes have increased significantly. Hopefully the new medication will bring relief. This definitely is more of a marathon than a sprint. The nurse just explained that recovery is approx. 12 months from when they find your therapeutic dosage. I’m definitely not there yet.

EKH | @erinhastedt | Feb 1 8:00am

In reply to @azlynn5 "I’m now three months into the treatment plan. I was seeing some improvements, but when I..." + (show)

@azlynn5 I really hope the new medication works for you! I don't think I was ever able to get to a therapeutic dose and I tried all the variations of acetazolomide. I'm trying again and the increases are brutal on my stomach. It's been 3 years so I know I'm not doing everything right, I just cannot seem to stay on track with too many setbacks. A marathon is a good analogy, I'm in training! Best of luck!

moonlight21 | @moonlight21 | Feb 2 12:21pm

In reply to @erinhastedt "@azlynn5 I really hope the new medication works for you! I don't think I was ever..." + (show)

@erinhastedt @azlynn5
Thank you both for your experiences and insight! I am newly diagnosed 2 weeks in, dont know what to think of it, have not started PT yet amd just using the breather and starting with Medication! I am also adding Accupuncture to the plan, I’ll let you know if it helps 💗🙏🏽

vall5 | @vall5 | Feb 3 9:08am

In reply to @moonlight21 "@erinhastedt @azlynn5 Thank you both for your experiences and insight! I am newly diagnosed 2 weeks..." + (show)

@moonlight21
Hi, what is the breather that you're using and what will the PT do with you?

vall5 | @vall5 | Feb 3 9:12am

In reply to @erinhastedt "@azlynn5 I really hope the new medication works for you! I don't think I was ever..." + (show)

Hi @erinhastedt
What do you mean by apnea episodes, and when are they happening?
I was diagnosed with micro clots caused by the COVID spike protein, which have caused hypoxia with movement and during sleep. I wonder if there is a connection with the low CO2 levels or if they are separate outcomes.
Val

EKH | @erinhastedt | Feb 3 9:50am

In reply to @vall5 "@moonlight21 Hi, what is the breather that you're using and what will the PT do with..." + (show)

@vall5
https://thebreather.com/products/breather

EKH | @erinhastedt | Feb 3 9:52am

In reply to @vall5 "Hi @erinhastedt What do you mean by apnea episodes, and when are they happening? I was..." + (show)

@vall5
I think it was @azlynn5 that had apnea episodes.

azlynn5 | @azlynn5 | Feb 3 10:02am

In reply to @vall5 "Hi @erinhastedt What do you mean by apnea episodes, and when are they happening? I was..." + (show)

@vall5 I was referring to sleep apnea. Along with the low CO2, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and started a CPAP machine 3 months ago. It tracks sleep apnea events each night so I have a clear record of my overnight breathing.

vall5 | @vall5 | Feb 3 11:08am

In reply to @azlynn5 "@vall5 I was referring to sleep apnea. Along with the low CO2, I was diagnosed with..." + (show)

Thanks for clarifying,@azlynn5

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